Short answer: the finish decides how a crocodile skin looks and handles, not just how shiny it is. Semi-Matte is the most forgiving, Millennium is pressed even and soft, Garment is the thinnest and most fluid, Nubuck is buffed and water-repellent, and Himalayas is unbleached with a natural pattern.
The five finishes at a glance
| Finish | Surface | Hand | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Matte / Antique | Low gloss, vintage | Soft | Everyday bags |
| Millennium | Even, pressed | Very soft | Daily-use pieces |
| Garment | Natural, milled | Softest, fluid | Outerwear, soft bags |
| Nubuck | Buffed, velvet | Soft | Outdoor, contemporary |
| Himalayas | Unbleached, natural pattern | Firm | Statement pieces |
Semi-Matte / Antique
A soft, low-gloss surface, between matte and glossy, with a refined vintage character. It is the most forgiving of the five: handling marks blend into the antique tone, and it takes turned edges and edge paint cleanly. The shading deepens towards the flanks by design, so lay your pattern pieces out on the whole skin first.
Millennium
Made with a special press technology that leaves the skin exceptionally soft and wear-resistant. The press slightly levels the tops of the scales, so the surface is even and catches less on edges and linings. It is softer in the hand than it looks: on a structured bag, plan for firmer reinforcement.
Garment
Made for outerwear and soft handbags. Each skin is shaved to the thinnest weight for maximum drape, then finished with fine oils and milling. Test a seam on an offcut first, with a finer needle and a slightly longer stitch than on bag-weight leather. It will not hold a rigid or turned edge on its own.
Nubuck
A buffed grain surface with a velvet touch. The dye is well fixed, so crocking is minimal, and a water-repellent treatment makes it the most practical finish for pieces used outdoors. That treatment means glue grips less on the grain: rough or skive the bonding area, and keep glue off the face.
Himalayas
Tanned from raw skin without bleaching, so the original pattern and the shift in colour from centre to flank stay visible; no two skins match. For a production run, order all skins in one lot so they come from the same batch, and lay them side by side before the first cut.
How to choose
- First crocodile collection, or products that should look lived-in: Semi-Matte.
- Structured pieces used every day, and longer production runs: Millennium.
- Jackets and unstructured bags: Garment.
- Outdoor use and a contemporary, textured look: Nubuck.
- Rare, one-of-a-kind statement pieces: Himalayas.
The finish is only one of the six things to specify when you order; see the buyer’s checklist. To be sure a skin is genuine whatever its finish, read how to tell real crocodile leather from fake.
Questions buyers ask
Which finish is the easiest to sew?
Semi-Matte is the most forgiving; Garment needs a finer needle and a longer stitch.
Which finish suits outdoor use?
Nubuck, because of its fixed dye and water-repellent treatment.
Where can I see them?
All five are shown on the finishes page. For skins, see the portfolio or contact us.