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Bison.

The local HD dealer has last years special Bison exotic leather boots on clearance. The look REAL COOL, and are comfy as can be. Plus, $50 bucks off.

$50 bucks off, HD dealer? does that still equal waaaayyy to much money?

Soren

On most HD stuff I feel the same way as you-over priced and not that great quality-especially if they can take $50 off!

But I got a pair of what they call 'After the ride' boots that aren't stovepipe but are over the ankle and I've really been happy with them. Plus they are black rough side out and don't show shift marks on the toe. They were about $100.

They cost less than Red Wings, and even some similar boots, all with regular leather. The soles are a real nice non slip type, the quality of the Bison leather is tops. A very good deal for a real good product.
I have looked around at a lot of boots, and there are a lot of cheap quality boots out there ( just like shoes, and jackets even ) that pretend to be a lot more than they are. Just go look for some good quality cowboy boots, or say the Frye boots, the Frye boots run $200.00 on average, and I purchased these for about 33 % less. The Red Wings are nicely made and more expensive and not as unique. So, it is all in the quality of what you want.

I know the owner of a Bison farm. Can get all the hide you want if you wanna make boots. I may have a riding jacket made. So far it looks like it will cost about the same as a premium riding jacket.

That would be real cool.

Keith, would that be finished or just the hide?

Na, just the hide. Been trying to find someone to tan them. By bro in WV might be hooking me up. I tried to do a hide the traditional way with brains to cure it but it did not work out so well. I met a leather guy last year and if I give him the tanned hide he will make me whatever I want, but he does not do footwear. He'll do jacket, chaps, vest, gloves, seat, etc.
They do the kills for the owners restaurant the old fashion way. One at a time in the grazing field and dig a hole to drop the remains in. I want to dig up a skull next spring. Right now that is where all the hides go. Anyone know a tanner?

Man, I would like a skull.

First time I had it was in grade school ( 3rd grade ) for a Indian festival thing. Good stuff. I remember I had moose and elk the year before.

I've never had a pair, but have always heard good things about bison leather used in boots, jackets, vests etc. In the late summer when I'm doing carcass evaluations, one of the local locker plants will often have bison carcasses hanging. They prepare them for the retail market or the hunting trade. The first time I saw one my reaction was "What the heck is that??!!"

On the skull side, a taxidermist could fill you in on the processes they use. Some museums/universities use dermestid beetles to clean up bones. After the cleaning job is done, you simply dip the beetles in chocolate for a "tidy" profit, or perhaps Thanksgiving treat .

JH

I like Magnums. They are as comfy as shoes.

The boots I bought are manufactured by Wolverine. They are quite comfortable. Its just too bad winter is here and cant get out to enjoy them now.