OK, all good; no wait all GREAT!

Went first rifle season in Colorado and had success, as did another hunter in our group that evening. So we are standing there hanging the elk and skinning them, well actually I was drinking a bourbon. I ask the outfitter what he what he did with the hides, he responded "nothing" so I say toss it in my cooler. The other hunter says I can have his as well. I am currently getting them tanned in black and chocolate colors.

I am thinking of having them made into the items in the title, namely briefcase, duffel bag, purse for my wife's birthday. Not set on anything and looking for suggestions. I'm really not the leather clothing kind of guy.

Let me know what ideas you have or you guys have used Elk hides for in the past if anything.

Thanks in advance.

Make a good pair of elkskin shaps......

Russell Moccasin company will make you a really nice pair of boots out of them. They can make nice pillows too and most sewing shops can handle this.

One of the deer skin trading companies would make purses, mittens and other items from your hides. Not sure if any are still around as it has been several years since I did this.

Some of the biker leather shops will also do custom work.

You may not be a leather daddy but an Elk hide jacket is really wonderful, could be a more classic or golfer cut.

Yellowstone glove co picks up hides in Jackson hole fr gloves you might check with them.

I have an elk hide harmonica holster, and matching belt bag. The lady that made them, did so for the balance of the hide. (Perhaps 2-3 square feet.)
I used to have a pair of elk hide welding gauntlets, best i ever owned. Very soft, and comfortable.

I have several hides tanned from my kills, both hair on and off. I was wondering who might be some good folks to talk to about gloves, pillows, etc...

Thinking of a vest for my wife as well.

I had several pairs of boots made . Very comfortable

As Don said, they make very tough chaps!

You can use the nut sack for a coin purse.