Exotic leather holsters (or just unusual leather)

March 07, 2026, 09:34 PM

400m

I’m curious how many animals hides we can list that have been used for a holster.

Horse, bison, water buffalo, snake, shark (many kinds), stingray, elephant, giraffe, ostrich, alligator, crocodile, rhinoceros, kangaroo.

What else?

March 07, 2026, 09:47 PM

RogueJSK

Others include Lizard, Caiman, Camel, and Hippo

March 08, 2026, 03:56 AM

SigSauerP226

Ed Gein seemed fairly artistic, I bet he could add human to the roster.

March 08, 2026, 05:35 AM

4MUL8R

Some exotic materials have been layered over leather. As an example, one of my fancy cowboy boots had some grey exotic that was easily damaged, revealing leather below. I think the stingray and shark holsters might be like that? But, my legal elephant leather boots were just elephant hide.

March 08, 2026, 07:42 AM

Opus Dei

Cordovan and horsehide are a couple of less-common materials. I know of gallipava/gallopavo turkey skin used for some leather goods, so I guess it's eligible for holsters. And there's javelina.

March 08, 2026, 08:05 AM

dgshooter

I have an Grizzle holster with Ostrich leg leather accents.

March 08, 2026, 08:49 AM

UTsig

I see snapping turtle being used by one maker I follow.

March 08, 2026, 08:57 AM

V-Tail

Nauga

March 08, 2026, 11:20 AM

400m

Okay V-Tail you got me.

March 08, 2026, 11:57 AM

BigWhup

Eel. And sharkskin, btw, is the toughest animal hide I have ever seen. Used to sell boots, and sharkskin could be scraped viciously with a quarter and show no scratches or any visible damage.

It is also quite stiff and takes some breaking in and getting used to, before comfortable.

I have never seen it used as an overlay, it is just way tougher than regular leather.

March 08, 2026, 01:44 PM

.38supersig

Was able to find an old pair of whale skin boots.

When they wear out, I'm thinking a new holster may be a good idea.

March 08, 2026, 01:56 PM

RogueJSK

quote:
Originally posted by BigWhup:
And sharkskin, btw, is the toughest animal hide I have ever seen. Used to sell boots, and sharkskin could be scraped viciously with a quarter and show no scratches or any visible damage.

It is also quite stiff and takes some breaking in and getting used to, before comfortable.

I have never seen it used as an overlay, it is just way tougher than regular leather.

I have several holsters with shark accent overlays. They put a strip of sharkskin along the front, and as the top layer of the belt loops, but the body of the holster and the inner layer of the belt loops is cowhide.

Same with my other exotic leather holsters. All accent overlays, rather than forming the holster itself out of the exotic leather.

For example:

March 08, 2026, 02:03 PM

400m

I have a shark skin holster from Wilson Combat. That thing is very stiff.

38supersig, I love the idea of reusing the leather.

March 08, 2026, 02:40 PM

Patriot

Foreskin…

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March 08, 2026, 02:49 PM

cee_Kamp

Alligator asshole holster! $699

https://www.thesoutherntrapper...e-glory-hole-holster

March 08, 2026, 05:23 PM

quote:
Originally posted by cee_Kamp:
Alligator asshole holster! $699

https://www.thesoutherntrapper...e-glory-hole-holster

Haha I just saw that the other day while looking for a DWX compact holster.

March 08, 2026, 07:04 PM

colt_saa

I have many that are on the list, the only one that I have to add to the list is Python

Elephant and Sharkskin are my favorite everyday exotics

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