Ostrich Leather

Ostrich leather is an exquisite and very exclusive leather, distinguished by its tell-tale pattern of quill or feather sockets. Soft to the touch, the leather is both flexible and durable, making it an ideal working material for the manufacture of most leather goods and certainly luxury leather items.

Its durability adds an extra dimension, making ostrich leather one of the chosen materials for fashion in boot making, handbags, wallets, belts and clothing. Leading fashion houses, such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Prada and many others choose ostrich leather to exhibit its beauty and its high class status.

Ostrich leather offers itself as one of the toughest, but most pliable skins in the world. Full of natural oils, ostrich leather resists drying, cracking and stiffness. No other leather in the world can compete with the unique quill pattern the ostrich leather bears. This, in itself, makes it one of the most expensive leathers in the world today.

Distinctive and comfortable ostrich leather items are attributes of establishment, wealth and recognition. Elegant and classic they've been in fashion for the last fifty years.

The American Ostrich Association has trademarked the term "Genuine American Ostrich Leather" for the benefit of our members. The "Certified American Ostrich" trademark is a Quality Assured Ostrich product based on ostrich that are hatched, raised and processed in the United States of America under specifications set up by the AOA. All leather labeled "Genuine American Ostrich Leather" must be from birds that are source verified and hides should meet the standards set by the AOA Hide Guide and appear as healthy without signs of distress.

Hide Preservation & Shipping Information

Scrape flesh and fat after skinning. Scrape off as much fat as you can before salting, as the salt will not penetrate the fat, and the skin in that spot will not be preserved. (Fleshing tips)

Cool down skin in 5 gallons of cold salt brine containing 1 capful of bleach for approximately one hour. The night before add approximately 5 lbs. of salt to the the 5 gallons of water or add salt until no more will dissolve.

Lay skin feather side (grain side) down on a slanted surface that has been covered with salt and salt the skin making sure that all edges are salted. (About 10 lbs. salt per skin). Lay the second skin on top of the first and repeat the salting process.

The skin(s) will drain for four to five days and your slanted surface will allow the water to run away from the skin(s). You will see the drainage slow. When this occurs, shake the old salt from the skin and spread new salt on the flesh side. Fold the skin flesh side to the inside. Place the hide bundle in a double walled paper bag, such as a feed bag then that bag in heavy plastic bag, and then into a box for shipping.