How do you know if a wrap is real

[DblGonzo]

How can you tell if the cue you are about to buy has a real Lizard skin or imprinted? Other than taking the word of the seller is there a way to tell one from the other?

I know any good cue maker would not give out false information on a cue they build. I am talking about second hand sales. With the large price difference between the two I am sure some would try and pass off faux for real.

This topic may have been covered, but I spent a few hours searching with no luck.

 

[cueman]

The smell. The texture. In person up close inspection. Experience.
There is not much I could tell you that would really help you if you have not had a good bit of leather experience.

If the blank is not already on a cue it is easier to know. You could look for the dot pattern pig skin often has on the non finished side. You could look for the common wrinkle that lizard has because the skin often will not lay perfectly flat like a blank cut out of a larger hide like cow or pigskin will.

 

[desi2960]

organic vrs man made

Most of the time you can tell by the patters. Man made will have the same design repeated over and over. Natural materials will have slight differences in the designs. Natural is organic and no two are ever exactly alike