chinchilla?

[Lil Dragonfly]

I absolutely adore chinchilla, it is one of my favorite furs ever. But I have noticed that on fur forums people don't seem to discuss it very often.

 

Any other chinchilla fans lurking around, or am I the only one?

[FrBrGr]

For fashion, chinchilla is awesome. It is beautiful. For softness, IMHO there is no other fur in the world that can compare. The feeling of chinchilla against one's face is breathtaking! For the "closest of furry encounters," however, I think that its softness is its weakness. IMHO, it is too soft to give real pleasure. I love chinchilla. Always have, always will, but not in the bedroom.

[Guest]

In several discussions I've had with Horst of Nicolas Ungar Furs in Portland, OR, he showed me the weaknesses of Chinchilla.

 

The hides are much thinner and weaker than just about any other fur bearing animal.

 

Where the furrier has to stitch the small pelts together is the weakest part of the pelt, the edges.

 

This makes them very vulnerable to damage and Horst says that for the number of Chinchilla furs he makes they have the highest need for repair.

 

It's really not a very practical fur aside from being very expensive!

 

So the caveat is to wear and use it very gently.

 

OFF

[justfurme]

i would have to agree with Horst, the hyde is so thin that it often tears while holding it taught for sewing, i have also had the guide wheels cut it. i made a cape for a customer once, i spent more time repairing it later than it took to make it in the first place. the upper skins could not support the weight of the lower part. and batting chinchilla does not work well!

[Worker 11811]

I like chinchilla but the expense and the fragility kind of turn me off.

 

It's soft and very nice. I think it would be fun to play with but I'd be so afraid of damaging it and getting it dirty that I might be preoccupied by the thought.

 

Instead, I might recommend some high quality rabbit fur.

 

Rex rabbit is nice and it's fun to play with. Some people even call it "poor man's chinchilla".

Rex rabbit is a special breed of "fancy rabbit" which does not grow the usual guard hairs in its fur.

Normally rabbits (and most other fur bearing animals) have longer, coarser hairs on the surface and shorter, softer underfur beneath. With Rex, the fur is all one length and it is very fine and soft.

 

Rex rabbit can be dyed to look just like real chinchilla fur.

 

There is also a breed of rabbit called a "chinchilla rabbit". It is a rabbit with fur very similar to a real chinchilla. It has similar color and texture.

 

If you were presented with a piece of fur made from dyed rex rabbit or chinchilla rabbit, I bet you would have a hard time telling them apart from real chinchilla unless you have had experience with the genuine article. In fact, there are a lot of unscrupulous furriers out there who sell rabbit fur as "Rex Chinchilla" and don't tell customers what the difference is.

 

So, if you would like a fur as fine and soft as chinchilla but don't want to pay the price or if you are afraid of damaging it, go ahead and try some Rex Rabbit or some Chinchilla Rabbit. I think you could have just as much fun with it but, unless your friends really know their fur, nobody but you and your furrier would be the wiser!

[Lil Dragonfly]

My chinchilla collection so far consists of 2 neckwarmers and a furry bracelet.

 

I had my heart set on a chinchilla blanket i saw on ebay. At $500, it was something I could actually afford! But if it is going to need a lot of expensive repairs, maybe its not such a good idea. The seller also had fox blankets and coyote blankets, maybe I should go for the fox instead?

 

One of these days I'm going to have a chinchilla dildo custom-made

[Worker 11811]

$500 for a chinchilla blanket sounds too good to be true. Even at twice the price, I would still be suspicious. $500 would be a decent price for a rabbit fur blanket. A king size fur blanket made from chinchilla might cost you upwards of $20,000!

 

That's not to say that the seller doesn't know the value of what he has or that the price will be bid up.

 

Anything can happen on eBay!

[Guest]

blu dragonfly;

 

I have two different Fox spreads. A Blue Fox pieced from flanks which is quite nice and very warm.

 

Then I have a Red and dark Cross Fox spread which is super and ever so soft.

 

I have no desires for Chinchilla because of it. Maybe a Sable or Lynx spread

 

The Fox spreads are very durable except the Blue Fox needs repairs at its seams every time I have it cleaned. It's a problem with pieced furs. The same happens with several pieced fur lined jackets I have.

 

OFF

[Lil Dragonfly]

$500 for a chinchilla blanket sounds too good to be true. Even at twice the price, I would still be suspicious. $500 would be a decent price for a rabbit fur blanket. A king size fur blanket made from chinchilla might cost you upwards of $20,000!

 

That's not to say that the seller doesn't know the value of what he has or that the price will be bid up.

 

Anything can happen on eBay!

 

$20,000 for a blanket? Let's see, my allowance is $20 per week. So I will be able to afford one about 1,000 years from now!

 

Here is the one I was talking about. Is it too good to be true?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-EMPRESS-CHINCHILLA-FUR-BLANKET-COMFORTER-THROW_W0QQitemZ180204387297QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

 

blu dragonfly;

 

I have two different Fox spreads. A Blue Fox pieced from flanks which is quite nice and very warm.

 

Then I have a Red and dark Cross Fox spread which is super and ever so soft.

 

I have no desires for Chinchilla because of it. Maybe a Sable or Lynx spread

 

The Fox spreads are very durable except the Blue Fox needs repairs at its seams every time I have it cleaned. It's a problem with pieced furs. The same happens with several pieced fur lined jackets I have.

 

OFF

 

Good thing you told me. One of the fox blankets I had been considering was pieced.

 

How often does a fur blanket need to be cleaned? Speaking of which, how much does it cost to have it cleaned?

[Guest]

I recall seeing that item and it probably is true.

 

It's the seller that I got my Red & Cross Fox spread from. It wasn't cheap but it was a fair price. It is also much bigger than the 40" x 30" Chinchilla towel.

 

He does come up with the occasional bargain however.

 

It's a site to watch for good real deals but to get something meaningful form these you would have to get four to get an 80" x 60" spread. It's then $2000. So if you can afford $2000 go for it though I would not personally do it for the reasons I've already posted.

 

I did something similar when he had a 28" x 45" beautiful cross Fox I just had to have. It too was $495. I ended up paying $2500 for the 60" x 80" spread finished out with full Red Fox pelts. In the end it was a custom Fox spread. I'm not the least bit displeased. His communications and ability to please is tops.

 

What I would do is four of these for $1600.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-RED-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-COMFORTER-THROW_W0QQitemZ180212737226QQihZ008QQcategoryZ20549QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

 

For comparison:

http://www.glacierwear.com/detail.asp?product_id=fxx-300-rd-48x72

or

http://www.glacierwear.com/detail.asp?product_id=fxx-300-cr-40x68

Both smaller and more expensive.

 

My 80" x 90" Fox Flank spread was a steal two years ago from furcorner in Montreal. With a wool flannel backing it was $700.

 

Currently similar to the one I got:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORT_W0QQitemZ360085128454QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360085128454&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORT_W0QQitemZ290138718024QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290138718024&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

and you would need two equaling $1200.

 

This looks like a great deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORTER_W0QQitemZ290128241582QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290128241582&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

or:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-BROWN-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW_W0QQitemZ290138716922QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290138716922&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

That's $1600 for an 86" x 88" long haired pieced Fox spread.

 

Another great deal from them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MONTANA-LYNX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORTER_W0QQitemZ290165808387QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290165808387&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CANADIAN-SABLE-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-CMFORTER_W0QQitemZ290127926114QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290127926114&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

X 2 = $5000 for an 85" x 84" A spectacular deal if a bit spendy.

 

They are also pushing a wide range of pieced sheared Beaver:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SHEARED-BEAVER-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-90X45_W0QQitemZ290138644457QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290138644457&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

That's $1600 for a 90" x 90" which is a great deal.

 

Similar to my full pelt Red Fox:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-RED-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORTER_W0QQitemZ300200581314QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300200581314&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

For twice the price.

 

OFF

[Worker 11811]

I do believe the blanket is genuine chinchilla. However, you should read the description:

 

DESCRIPTION

You are bidding on a brand new freshly made authentic chinchilla fur throw/blanket

made from high quality Empress chinchilla fur head/neck sections with a soft luxurious

black cashmere/wool backing.

 

Yes, it's genuine chinchilla but it is made from the parts they cut off when they trim the skins to make them into coats, etc. When a furrier has fur left over from making other things, it would be a waste to throw it out. Instead they use them for making nik-naks and things. This is what I think you're getting.

 

You are probably paying a fair price for what you are getting but remember the size of the item is fairly small.

It is 40 inches by 30 inches.

 

That is 2 feet-6 inches wide and 3 feet-4 inches long.

(101 centimetres by 76 centimetres.)

 

Go get a tape measure and lay out a rectangle on the floor so you can visualize the actual size.

 

If what you want to do is get your girlfriend in bed and take turns rubbing the fur on each other's naughty parts, you've got more than enough fur to do that. If you want to have a fur blanket for your bed or sofa, it's probably going to be too small. It might be a good size for a head/shoulder wrap. But, if you want to wrap yourself up in fur, you are definitely not going to have enough to go around.

 

$500 for a 2 X 3 rectangle of chinchilla fur trimmings is a decent (if not "fair") price for what you're getting.

You just need to decide if that's what you really want.

 

If you want to buy it "just to have fur", you'll probably be okay.

 

If you want to buy a full-size, top quality chinchilla fur blanket, it would be best to save your money.

 

Like I said before, I like chinchilla fur too. But, for me, the fur isn't durable enough for me to be comfortable playing with it.

 

If you want a "fine and soft" fur that is "LIKE" chinchilla, $500 will buy you a nice full size rabbit fur blanket.

If you bought a rex rabbit or a "chinchilla rabbit" blanket, your girlfriend would probably never know the difference unless you told her.

 

If you're looking for good quality fur for long-term use, take FrBrGr's and OFF's advice.

If I'm not mistaken, "justfurme" is a professional. Am I right?

 

So, put these three guys together, and their advice should be as good as gold!

[Lil Dragonfly]

I recall seeing that item and it probably is true.

 

It's the seller that I got my Red & Cross Fox spread from. It wasn't cheap but it was a fair price. It is also much bigger than the 40" x 30" Chinchilla towel.

 

He does come up with the occasional bargain however.

 

It's a site to watch for good real deals but to get something meaningful form these you would have to get four to get an 80" x 60" spread. It's then $2000. So if you can afford $2000 go for it though I would not personally do it for the reasons I've already posted.

 

I did something similar when he had a 28" x 45" beautiful cross Fox I just had to have. It too was $495. I ended up paying $2500 for the 60" x 80" spread finished out with full Red Fox pelts. In the end it was a custom Fox spread. I'm not the least bit displeased. His communications and ability to please is tops.

 

What I would do is four of these for $1600.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-RED-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-COMFORTER-THROW_W0QQitemZ180212737226QQihZ008QQcategoryZ20549QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

 

For comparison:

http://www.glacierwear.com/detail.asp?product_id=fxx-300-rd-48x72

or

http://www.glacierwear.com/detail.asp?product_id=fxx-300-cr-40x68

Both smaller and more expensive.

 

My 80" x 90" Fox Flank spread was a steal two years ago from furcorner in Montreal. With a wool flannel backing it was $700.

 

Currently similar to the one I got:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORT_W0QQitemZ360085128454QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360085128454&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORT_W0QQitemZ290138718024QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290138718024&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

and you would need two equaling $1200.

 

This looks like a great deal:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORTER_W0QQitemZ290128241582QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290128241582&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

or:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-BROWN-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW_W0QQitemZ290138716922QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290138716922&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

That's $1600 for an 86" x 88" long haired pieced Fox spread.

 

Another great deal from them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MONTANA-LYNX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORTER_W0QQitemZ290165808387QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290165808387&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CANADIAN-SABLE-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-CMFORTER_W0QQitemZ290127926114QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290127926114&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

X 2 = $5000 for an 85" x 84" A spectacular deal if a bit spendy.

 

They are also pushing a wide range of pieced sheared Beaver:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SHEARED-BEAVER-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-90X45_W0QQitemZ290138644457QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item290138644457&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

That's $1600 for a 90" x 90" which is a great deal.

 

Similar to my full pelt Red Fox:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-RED-FOX-FUR-BLANKET-CARPET-THROW-COMFORTER_W0QQitemZ300200581314QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300200581314&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

For twice the price.

 

OFF

 

I appreciate all the work and effort you put into this post . But unfortunately they are all out of my price range.

[Lil Dragonfly]

I do believe the blanket is genuine chinchilla. However, you should read the description:

 

DESCRIPTION

You are bidding on a brand new freshly made authentic chinchilla fur throw/blanket

made from high quality Empress chinchilla fur head/neck sections with a soft luxurious

black cashmere/wool backing.

 

Yes, it's genuine chinchilla but it is made from the parts they cut off when they trim the skins to make them into coats, etc. When a furrier has fur left over from making other things, it would be a waste to throw it out. Instead they use them for making nik-naks and things. This is what I think you're getting.

 

You are probably paying a fair price for what you are getting but remember the size of the item is fairly small.

It is 40 inches by 30 inches.

 

That is 2 feet-6 inches wide and 3 feet-4 inches long.

(101 centimetres by 76 centimetres.)

 

Go get a tape measure and lay out a rectangle on the floor so you can visualize the actual size.

 

If what you want to do is get your girlfriend in bed and take turns rubbing the fur on each other's naughty parts, you've got more than enough fur to do that. If you want to have a fur blanket for your bed or sofa, it's probably going to be too small. It might be a good size for a head/shoulder wrap. But, if you want to wrap yourself up in fur, you are definitely not going to have enough to go around.

 

$500 for a 2 X 3 rectangle of chinchilla fur trimmings is a decent (if not "fair") price for what you're getting.

You just need to decide if that's what you really want.

 

If you want to buy it "just to have fur", you'll probably be okay.

 

If you want to buy a full-size, top quality chinchilla fur blanket, it would be best to save your money.

 

Like I said before, I like chinchilla fur too. But, for me, the fur isn't durable enough for me to be comfortable playing with it.

 

If you want a "fine and soft" fur that is "LIKE" chinchilla, $500 will buy you a nice full size rabbit fur blanket.

If you bought a rex rabbit or a "chinchilla rabbit" blanket, your girlfriend would probably never know the difference unless you told her.

 

If you're looking for good quality fur for long-term use, take FrBrGr's and OFF's advice.

If I'm not mistaken, "justfurme" is a professional. Am I right?

 

So, put these three guys together, and their advice should be as good as gold!

 

I had no idea that the chinchilla was so tiny until you and OFF brought it up. For some reason when I looked at the pic I imagined it huge. Meh, I can be silly sometimes.

 

Do you know where I can get a queen-sized rabbit blanket for $500 or under? I have been searching the internet for rabbit blankets, and haven't found any for that price.

 

P.S. I'm a girl! (That doesn't mean to say I haven't had girlfriends though.)

[Guest]

Chinchilla pelts are very very very small

 

OFF

[Worker 11811]

1) Here's a site to look at:

http://www.chichesterinc.com/FurBedspreads.htm

 

I never dealt with them at all. I only list them for reference purposes.

Maybe there's somebody else here who has experience with this company?

 

2) There's a whole bunch of great links to search in the Fur Den Library!

http://thefurden.com/fdwiki/?n=Links.HomePage

 

3) Hang out in the eBay forum!

viewforum.php?f=11

 

4) Your boyfriend will be one lucky dog!

[mailonfurs]

avoid rabbit blankets. They shed like hell... at first you'll like it but after a while you'll hate it.

[Guest]

Of the inexpensive furs that's why I like Squirrel.

 

It's soft and it doesn't shed if it's well prepared.

 

OFF

[Zaphod_bee]

Although mailon sure is an expert much more then me: avoid rabbit, go for good quality rex rabbit !!

 

Like I told in several posts (and like you see in my suit on the left) I became most fond of the ultra-soft rex rabbit; it is for me the best value for price fur on the world - this type was the one giving me the oppurtunity to realise my dream !

 

My experience is that it almost does not shed at all - you always find some single hairs when "fur is on your side" - it sheds about the same as my fox pelts or my opossum pelts.

 

Any other comments ?

 

Zaphod_bee

[Lil Dragonfly]

Worker 11811, thank you for the links

 

I don't mind the shedding, i'm addicted to vaccuuming lol.

[Worker 11811]

Some of the Bears living in my Bear Den are made from rabbit fur.

There is one made from black and white lapin. (A "fancy" long haired rabbit.) We also have some made from rex rabbit.

 

I agree with Mailon. Rabbit fur can shed. However, rex rabbit is more durable and doesn't shed as much as regular rabbit. You're kind of playing a gambit with durability versus cost.

 

Rabbit is cheaper but it might not last as long. Fox and other furs are more durable but they are a bit more expensive. So, you have to decide how much you want to spend for the fur and how long you intend to keep it.

 

If you don't mind paying to replace the fur every so often, a cheaper fur might be for you. If you are of the "Buy once and keep it for a long time" mentality then you probably shouldn't buy rabbit.

[Lil Dragonfly]

Speaking of blankets...

 

How does a fur blanket get cleaned? I have read numerous descriptions of what happens when furs are brought in to be cleaned and glazed, but am still a bit confused about the whole thing.

 

How often should I take it in to be cleaned, and how much does it cost each time?

 

I agree with Mailon. Rabbit fur can shed. However, rex rabbit is more durable and doesn't shed as much as regular rabbit. You're kind of playing a gambit with durability versus cost.

 

Rabbit is cheaper but it might not last as long. Fox and other furs are more durable but they are a bit more expensive. So, you have to decide how much you want to spend for the fur and how long you intend to keep it.

 

If you don't mind paying to replace the fur every so often, a cheaper fur might be for you. If you are of the "Buy once and keep it for a long time" mentality then you probably shouldn't buy rabbit.

 

I think that for me rabbit will do just fine

[Guest]

They are vigorously brushed so I am told with various dry cleaning agents that use sawdust or ground walnut shells.

 

The backing is separated from the fur prior to cleaning and any repairs are made after.

 

Linda/ReFur can tell you in more detail how it is done.

 

My Pieced Blue Fox spread seems to always have one or more separations between the pieces. A weakness of pieced furs I've discovered. This is why I will only have full pelt spreads from now on. The Red Fox is much more durable for this reason.

 

I can't complain since the Blue Fox was certainly inexpensive and has served me well.

 

I'm doing it about yearly and it's about $100 including the repairs which seems reasonable enough to me. I don't store them since I use them year round. I just rotate. I'm getting several more for this reason so I don't use any one for that long at a time.

 

I haven't had my Red Fox spread cleaned yet but I will in a couple of months. I plan on an expansion of a dark brown Fox border. I'm relining it since I'm not happy with the satin that came with it. I'm getting some 100% Linen for the relining. The Fox is very warm without any batting as many put inside spreads. My Blue Fox has a light weight 100% wool flannel lining and it's quite warm as well.

 

OFF

[JGalanos]

I'm getting several more for this reason so I don't use any one for that long at a time.

 

Wow. I trust you have more storage space than I do.

 

I still have to rearrange my closets to make room for the return of my coats. Storing two or three coats at home was not that difficult ... Ten furs, on the other hand, take up a great deal of room.

[Lil Dragonfly]

$100 for cleaning? Yikes, that's expensive!

 

If I only wanted to clean it once a year that would not be a problem. But I have a feeling I will want to clean it more often than that. I am constantly washing my current blankets: when they are bloodstained (I pick at myself in my sleep), when they are smelly from perspiration, after messy lovemaking, etc.

 

Maybe this whole blanket thing isn't such a good idea

[Guest]

The $100 includes repairs. Just cleaning is ~ $50.

 

Then there are the lifestyle and personal habits issues

 

OFF