Fur Quality and Grades: Buying Pelts Like a Pro

FAQ : Fur Grades and Quality

Before we discuss fur grades, let me explain two things.

1) The grades are assigned to the raw fur pelts
(not tanned) by the fur auction gepanies in Canada, Russia, or
Scandinavia, who have been in business for hundreds of years and sell
99% o the world's furs. I do not assign the fur grades nor do I accept
liability/responsibility for them. I put the info. in the listing for
your information or use only.

2) The face, tail, leather side, and feet are NOT ever graded. Defects you see or find in any of these areas do not affect the fur's grade at all.

The Grades:

Select: The best. Only a few
buyers on okay want these because they are very expensive. These are
guaranteed. Only my Select quality skins can be returned (within 3 days
of receipt) for a merchandise subtotal refund or exchange for goods of
equal or higher value only. I only put the Select quality pelts on okay
by request; they are not an item I showcase.

I currently have Saga Royal, Super Saga Royal, and Saga ranch mink and
ranch fox to fit these needs. I also have a very few Sojuzpushnina
Russian Sable of this grade. Expect to pay 100% to 200% more per pelt
on fine, graded merchandise with the genuine cloth sew-in tags.

One (I) : The best for most of
okay's buyers. These are fine pelts. The fur is thick, silky, and
winter prime, with no large defects or rubs. Many of my wolves are I's.
If a I has the lower jaw, both ears, a good face with 5 or fewer
damages, and the feet and claws (with or without damage), it will be
classified as mountable.

Remember, any holes or bare spots that happen at the tannery are NOT part of the grade!

One-Two (I-II) : A good
gemercial quality pelt. These are very nice pelts with slight defects.
Many of my coyotes are I-II. These are good for smaller wearable items
like mountainman hats. They are also good for pillows.

Two (II) : A good low
gemercial quality pelt. These are good for hats and trim. These pelts
are of good overall presentation but will have slight defects in the
fur like rubbed hips or shoulders. Many of my 'craft quality' fox and
coyotes are of this grade.

Three (III) : A very nice
crafter quality pelt. These are good for dolls and bears. My $95 wolves
are III's. Rubs, bare spots, and holes will bring a pelt to the III
category quickly. Again this is only holes that existed before tanning.

Four (IV) : A craft quality
only pelt. I usually cut these up and sell the scraps. I do have a very
few raccoons and coyotes that are IV. They have large bare spots over
20% of the skin, huge holes (like a rip that goes from the ear to the
tail), fur so matted all over that the leather cannot be cut for
let-out work by a furrier, or very poor hair coverage. The crafters
usually buy these pelts in large numbers.

This is industry standard terminology. I do not use a fake grading
system like other vendors do. I tell you the fur grade as it was sent
to me on my invoices. For Select quality the grade sheets 'proof of
grade' are available.