Exotic Gun Belt Materials

These materials include certain types of exotic leather and animal skins such as:

• Sharkskin
• Ostrich
• Elephant hide
• Stingray
• Snakeskin
• Alligator
• Lizardskin

Certain exotic skins (like the ones previously listed) are very durable, and make excellent gun belts. These skins and hides tend to be much harder to come by as they are not as readily available as cow or horsehide. Many of these skins fall under some type of import/export law and are strictly regulated.  As such, exotic skins and hides are significantly more expensive than other gun belt materials.  The more exotic or regulated the hide (like alligator, for example), the more expensive the hide and gun belt will be. 

Exotic skins and hides can also be more difficult and time consuming for craftsman to work with.  Some of the different types of hides can be hard to cut and stitch.   Due to the tremendous expense of exotic hides and skins, most belt makers and craftsman will only use one strip of the hide versus the standard two strips found in cowhide and bullhide belts. Most likely the exotic hide or skin will be joined to a strip of cowhide or horsehide so that the cowhide or horsehide comprises the back portion of the belt while the exotic material is on the front.  This is a common practice among gun belt makers because many of the exotic skins are very thin and need a backing material for additional thickness.

From a durability standpoint,  exotic hides and skins make great gun belts.  Most all of the skins and hides mentioned above (especially elephant, alligator, and sharkskin)  are amazingly tough and almost like steel. The sheer difficulty of cutting the hide speaks volumes about it's toughness and durability.

If you are looking for a unique or custom gun belt, take a look at the exotic hides and skins that are available today.  Not only are they exquisitely beautiful and strong, but amazingly unique.