Author Topic: Rock chuck fur silencers  (Read 2734 times)

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Offline Andrea S

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Rock chuck fur silencers
« on: April 05, 2015, 10:51:04 am »
Regarding string silencers - I was able to search the forums and find out how big a strip of hide to use and how to apply it to the bowstring, but here's a more technical question: if I have a raw animal hide, say, from a rock chuck (yellow belief marmot) that my fiance harvested yesterday, do I have to tan the hide or let the strips dry first? I don't want them to dry solid to the string but I also don't want to send a marmot to the tannery. Any tips?

P.S. I also discovered that rock chuck makes a great stew. Sort of like a fatty, oversized rabbit.
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. -Abe Lincoln

Offline Stixnstones

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Re: Rock chuck fur silencers
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2015, 10:59:29 am »
i've always used tanned fur, but hey give it a run ;D
DevilsBeachSelfbows

Offline PatM

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Re: Rock chuck fur silencers
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2015, 11:01:45 am »
You can quickly tan them with alum and then rub a bit of neatsfoot oil in while working the hide as it dries.

Offline Andrea S

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Re: Rock chuck fur silencers
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2015, 11:04:53 am »
Thanks for the tip, Pat. Would I soak the whole strip in alum and water, then work the strip back and forth over a board, rubbing oil in as I go?
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. -Abe Lincoln

Offline PatM

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Re: Rock chuck fur silencers
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2015, 11:22:05 am »
You'll need to aggressively degrease the hide first by scraping and washing. Then you can just  rub powdered alum into the damp skin and let it form a kind of paste and let it sit for a couple of days. Rinse and then get it half dry, rub a light coat of neatsfoot into it and work it back and forth over a  rounded board end.
  A little neatsfoot goes a long way.

Offline tallpine

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Re: Rock chuck fur silencers
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2015, 12:15:42 pm »
Hi Andrea, I make all my silencers out of air dried hides. I cut them in strips and then break them down over a old dull butcher knife held blade up in a vice. Always cut your strips from the flesh side and leave them a little longer than the desired finished size. I have never used a Rock Chuck  but this method has always worked for me. Nice to see a lady interested in this obsession, your fiancé is a lucky guy.

Offline Traxx

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Re: Rock chuck fur silencers
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2015, 10:14:10 pm »
To a Nevada Native,a Chuck roast aint a cut of beef.LOL

Offline Buckeye Guy

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Re: Rock chuck fur silencers
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2015, 04:14:20 pm »
Turn the hide inside out so it can dry a few days and cut your strips and go
no need to tan
you can soften them up as tallpine  suggests
Your really  getting after this stuff , keep it up!

Make your own bow
catch trout to perty up the back
now making string silencers
your wearing this old man out just reading about it
Guy Dasher
The Marshall Primitive Archery Rendezvous
Primitive Archery Society
Having  fun
To God be the glory !

Offline Andrea S

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Re: Rock chuck fur silencers
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2015, 05:01:17 pm »
And with any luck, I'll be getting a gobbler with it this Saturday on opening day!  ;D

Thanks for all the input guys, I'll post some pics once they're done!
Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. -Abe Lincoln