Alligator vs crocodile leather

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#2
Tricky question. Best to buy what you love. I prefer matte in either crocodile or alligator. I special ordered a crocodile Birkin and Hermes sent alligator...that was a surprise. Think they were only doing the color I ordered in alligator at that time. As an investment, not a good idea. I am elderly and another elderly friend ordered a crocodile Birkin. When it came after a long wait she had become nervous about carrying it. Where we live even the valet parking attendants comment on Birkins and it can make one nervous. She sent it to a famous reseller who had it for ages. Anyway she finally sent it to Christies and got less than she paid at Hermes. It was new in box. These bags are easier to buy than to sell.
 
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#4
You may want to read through these:

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/crocodile-vs-alligator-20778.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/e...uestion-shiny-croc-lizard-ostrich-581446.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/is-alligator-as-lustworthy-as-croc-176961.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/crocodile-or-alligator-686677.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/which-is-more-durable-matte-or-shiny-croc-487841.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/what-is-the-different-between-a-alligator-and-607798.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/stoopid-q-croc-and-alligator-difference-60487.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/do-crocs-fade-with-time-preferences-for-shiny-643770.html

However all of those threads are fairly old now and none definitive (but all worth a read). It would be good to have opinions from current active members, many who've invested in one or the other - or both.

Whichever:
Matte gets shiner
Shiny gets duller (but can be made shiny again)

Never get either wet.

I only have shiny P croc. but I was very tempted by an alligator Plume 5 years ago (and do slightly regret not getting it).

Alligator looks perhaps less natural because it doesn't have the pores of croc.

Personally, it would not matter which so long as the scale fitted the bag/SLG

For investment you'd have to buy a very rare and sought after colour and basically never use it in order to get your money back.
 
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#5
papertiger said:
You may want to read through these:

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/crocodile-vs-alligator-20778.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/e...uestion-shiny-croc-lizard-ostrich-581446.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/is-alligator-as-lustworthy-as-croc-176961.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/crocodile-or-alligator-686677.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/which-is-more-durable-matte-or-shiny-croc-487841.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/what-is-the-different-between-a-alligator-and-607798.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/stoopid-q-croc-and-alligator-difference-60487.html

http://forum.purseblog.com/hermes/do-crocs-fade-with-time-preferences-for-shiny-643770.html

However all of those threads are fairly old now and none definitive (but all worth a read). It would be good to have opinions from current active members, many who've invested in one or the other - or both.

Whichever:
Matte gets shiner
Shiny gets duller (but can be made shiny again)

Never get either wet.

I only have shiny P croc. but I was very tempted by an alligator Plume 5 years ago (and do slightly regret not getting it).

Alligator looks perhaps less natural because it doesn't have the pores of croc.

Personally, it would not matter which so long as the scale fitted the bag/SLG

For investment you'd have to buy a very rare and sought after colour and basically never use it in order to get your money back.
Click to expand...


And this is why you are a mod!! :tup:
 
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#6
Personally, I won't buy anything H for investment. Buy what you love and will wear. What is popular now might not be popular down the road. What is perceived as rare here on the forum might not be the actual demand.

As for Croc vs Gator, I agree with @papertiger that it doesn't matter as long as the scales fit well with the bag or SLG.

On the pores of the Croc, I do notice that my black Porosus Croc bags have less visible pores compared to a dark color such as Bleu Marine. You really have to look for them to notice them.
Porosus Croc does have more symmetry than the Gator.
 
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#7
Here’s a good summary, hth:

http://blog.madisonavenuecouture.com/hermes-crocodile-vs-alligator/

I personally like the look of alligator more - I love how the scales are larger in the middle and become smaller as they move outwards, which is unique to the alligator. However, for croc lovers, I believe symmetry is seen as more desirable. So it really all comes down to personal preference.
 
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#8
I have seen very lovely scales on gator bags and sometimes not so great scales on poro and nilo. I do notice that many current gator bags have horrendous scales all over the place, especially noticeable in matte.

For me scale pattern is much much more important than the reptile species. I turned down a kelly cut because the scales made me wish there is such as thing as braces for them.
 
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#9
For me, the scale pattern is the most important. I like symmetric and even pattern. Statistically, I have the best luck with porosus and often nilo. I have developed a love for nilo and getting more comfortable with the large scale as long as the pattern symmetry is good. I haven’t had good luck with gator unfortunately. What I have seen all have rather messy scale patterns, ranging from Constance to birkin. If you can, definitely try to get porosus, but it may be hard. I had to change my SO to get it done with nilo. I personally prefer croc.
 
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#10
loves said:
I have seen very lovely scales on gator bags and sometimes not so great scales on poro and nilo. I do notice that many current gator bags have horrendous scales all over the place, especially noticeable in matte.

For me scale pattern is much much more important than the reptile species. I turned down a kelly cut because the scales made me wish there is such as thing as braces for them.
Click to expand...
This! Hahahah!
 
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#13
I would love to know too. Can anyone please advise what cleaner &/or conditioner that is safe to use on alligator skin? Mine has a bit of water stains on it and it is shiny, but has gotten a bit matte now :( TY!
 
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