The first time I saw a pair of full quill ostrich boots I thought they were really strange. Eventually, the look, especially in a natural color, grew on me. I have even more appreciation for mine now that I know how difficult it is to make them!
I read somewhere that bootmakers' least favorite leather to work with is stingray because it is so tough it can break needles. But stingray does make a very cool looking boot. It's too bad that you can't get the variety of leathers anymore like you could in the past. There was sharkskin, bullhide, and ostrich for tougher wear, and then goatskin and calfskin for comfort, and lizard skin, stingray, and anteater for looks.
I believe the hate for snake and rough out comes from a couple of different things. Snake says dime store or rock star but not cowboy. Rough out was the mainstay of entry level cheap boots worn by the poors until distressed or oiled leather took over. Guys wore rough out boots in horrible conditions and never maintained them, wearing them until they were gross. There is also a chance these cheap boots were made from split leather rather than full grain adding to the problem. I think if someone were to make a quality full grain rough out boot (think Andersen Beane) for riding it’d make a great boot, but then again I live in the driest state in the nation, so what the hell do I know. Full grain rough out military boots are great out here.
Just came across this…I’m old and own a horse farm. I’ve been wearing boots to ride in since the 60s. I love roughout and all I will buy is full grain leathers. Take a look at Heritage Boot Company. The make a lot of retro look boots but the make a boot they call the Apache. It’s in oiled and crazy horse (full grain non oiled). I wear mostly snip toes and they have these in snip. Give them a look. Lucchese is what I wore for many years, but they went downhill fast- they still do some great custom boots and some of their handmade boots are nice quality. I find Black Jack nice too, but the wait is so long, at my age I’m afraid I’ll die before my order comes in.
Snake is my favorite. Only because you can not buy them in CA, so i Buy a new pair every once in a while when im out of state just for a middle finger to our government officials.
A good video might be who does ostrich leather right. I’d trust Chisos or custom boot makers but not so sure others go that extra mile. They’d tell you but won’t tell your audience.
I just hate ostrich all together. The bumps just look weird to me. I couldn't imagine a real cowboy actually wearing then for any reason. Maybe dress only, but I'm just not a fan of any exotics. Just my personal preference that's all. But ostrich is hideous to me. I can't be the only one I imagine
Same. I love fashion and showing off, but I’m a straight forward guy. Too much detail just throws off the whole outfit for me. When it comes to cowboy boots, I want something I can wear without worrying about too much maintenance and care more about functionality.
Yep. May be a regional thing, but here in the South West only the Mexican cowboys wear them for dress, not on the job. I’ve never seen a cowboy or rancher not of Mexican heritage wear ostrich in any occasion.
Ostrich is BY FAR my favorite leather. I love the look of all three types of ostrich and then you add in the durability, it's a win win for me.
The first time I saw a pair of full quill ostrich boots I thought they were really strange. Eventually, the look, especially in a natural color, grew on me. I have even more appreciation for mine now that I know how difficult it is to make them!
It’s on the top of my list for leathers to wear though. I love both my ostrich boots. Plan on more in the future.
Ostrich and elephant is my favorite
I love Ostrich in all 3 types, especially reverse cut Ostrich leg, it's so prehistoric looking! 👍
It was interesting to hear that ostrich is such a difficult hide to work with when making cowboy boots.
I read somewhere that bootmakers' least favorite leather to work with is stingray because it is so tough it can break needles. But stingray does make a very cool looking boot. It's too bad that you can't get the variety of leathers anymore like you could in the past. There was sharkskin, bullhide, and ostrich for tougher wear, and then goatskin and calfskin for comfort, and lizard skin, stingray, and anteater for looks.
I didn't know ostrich leather was hard to work with before this.
LMAO at Ostrich Preposterous. Great lyric there, JC. Great video, very educational.
Great video man ! What’s your take on Tecovas boots ?
I wonder if it's all the ostrich types? My favorite -by far- is ostrich leg.
I believe the hate for snake and rough out comes from a couple of different things. Snake says dime store or rock star but not cowboy. Rough out was the mainstay of entry level cheap boots worn by the poors until distressed or oiled leather took over. Guys wore rough out boots in horrible conditions and never maintained them, wearing them until they were gross. There is also a chance these cheap boots were made from split leather rather than full grain adding to the problem. I think if someone were to make a quality full grain rough out boot (think Andersen Beane) for riding it’d make a great boot, but then again I live in the driest state in the nation, so what the hell do I know. Full grain rough out military boots are great out here.
Just came across this…I’m old and own a horse farm. I’ve been wearing boots to ride in since the 60s.
I love roughout and all I will buy is full grain leathers. Take a look at Heritage Boot Company. The make a lot of retro look boots but the make a boot they call the Apache. It’s in oiled and crazy horse (full grain non oiled). I wear mostly snip toes and they have these in snip. Give them a look.
Lucchese is what I wore for many years, but they went downhill fast- they still do some great custom boots and some of their handmade boots are nice quality. I find Black Jack nice too, but the wait is so long, at my age I’m afraid I’ll die before my order comes in.
Pirarucu was my least favorite until I saw those new Rujo boots... I might bite on those soon
Should I get ostrich boots a size down I hear they stretch or get them true to size
Love 'em all.
I love my Tony Llama Ostrich boots!
I guess I misinterpreted the video you did where you asked bookmakers their favorite leathers to work with and almost all said Ostrich
Wow, I never know ostrich boots can be complecated
My least favorite leather is giant sea bass
Snake is my favorite. Only because you can not buy them in CA, so i Buy a new pair every once in a while when im out of state just for a middle finger to our government officials.
A good video might be who does ostrich leather right. I’d trust Chisos or custom boot makers but not so sure others go that extra mile. They’d tell you but won’t tell your audience.
Boot makers hate it but boot wearers love it.
We are selling Ostrich Boots Size 9.5 if anyone’s interested.
I wear them with my pink felt hat when I be pimpin
I just hate ostrich all together. The bumps just look weird to me. I couldn't imagine a real cowboy actually wearing then for any reason. Maybe dress only, but I'm just not a fan of any exotics. Just my personal preference that's all. But ostrich is hideous to me. I can't be the only one I imagine
Same. I love fashion and showing off, but I’m a straight forward guy. Too much detail just throws off the whole outfit for me. When it comes to cowboy boots, I want something I can wear without worrying about too much maintenance and care more about functionality.
Yep. May be a regional thing, but here in the South West only the Mexican cowboys wear them for dress, not on the job. I’ve never seen a cowboy or rancher not of Mexican heritage wear ostrich in any occasion.
Calf and cowhide? Really? But pullup leather is fine. Okay!
False lead.
Will you ever review the ariat high stepper boots?