Sword handle material

Question

I was wondering what kind of material it is.

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y25/gabman6/?action=view&current=suede.jpg

I'm guessing its either suede or some kind of leather.

Im trying to make a cosplay sword and would want to wrap this kind of material around the handle.

Does anyone where i can get this material?

Answer 1

It looks like pig skin leather to me, check with a local Tandy store.  

Answer 2

its suede

Answer 3

it is ray skin, best material for wrapping handle.

have a  check at http://www.handmadesword.com

a good website for swords, their swords handle are wrapped with genuine ray skin.

Answer 4

It looks like leather to me.  Or some kind of skin.  Maybe you could buy some leather clothes or a belt or something and cut the leather to put on your sword hilt?  Or go to some crafts store I guess.

Answer 5

While rayskin is bumpy and traditional for Japanese swords, that material looks smoother than rayskin.

I believe the picture shows pigskin - it looks very much like the texture on a leather football.  Pigskin is readily available from Tandy or other leather suppliers.

Rayskin is very cool, very appropriate for a Cosplay character with a Japanese style sword like a Katana or Tashi.

BTW, suede is leather, it just has the rough side brushed and facing out rather than the smooth side.