Pounding or soaking sinew

[PatM]

   Which do you prefer for processing?

[Springbuck]

  Don't you kind of have to do both?  I mean, I have simply pounded and shredded, but when soaked, I have to do some decent pounding, too, just on a softer pestle.

But, I'm a sinew novice, so I'll check back.

[Danzn Bar]

Pounding....don't know how to work soaked?
DBar

[PatM]

Most of it you can just split it with your fingernail and once you split it  each time gets even easier.  The benefit is you don't waste any with run-out or weakened fibers from beating it.

 It also separates with half the effort.

[BowEd]

Well that's interesting.I usually pound it while dry then seperate it.What about the chaffy skin that can be on it?Then your way after seperating it's used right away?

[Danzn Bar]

Most of it you can just split it with your fingernail and once you split it  each time gets even easier.  The benefit is you don't waste
 any with run-out or weakened fibers from beating it.

 It also separates with half the effort.

You mean All I have to do is soak the dried deer leg sinew and I can split it with a finger nail and pull it apart..  This is a good topic.
Do you soak it in just tap water and how long?
DBar

[PatM]

Yeah, it will pull right apart   Soak it overnight and it usually hydrates enough.  I use soapy water as it  "wets" better and starts the degreasing process.   Any chaffy skin will mostly separate with the soak and flake free as you separate.

   Ed.  You can dry the strands and just re-wet them as needed.

 I actually have some sinew that has been re-used through some experimental bows about 4 -5 times over the last 17 years.

[osage outlaw]

I pound my leg sinew and process it during slow times at work.  I'm not sure soaking would work in my situation.  I don't have a problem with the work required to separate it.  It occupies my time.

[Danzn Bar]

@PatM....I'm all for trying new stuff.  I've got some dried leg sinew and will give it a try. You know I'll report back.....
Thanks,
DBar

[Danzn Bar]

I just went down to the shop and took 12 to 18 cleaned dried deer leg sinew and sumurged it in tap water with a little Dawn soap.  Well see what happens in the morning.  I'll report back sometime tomorrow.
Thanks PatM
DBar

[PatM]

If you don't have sufficient fingernails you can also just poke a screwdriver through the center and get it started and then  go from there.  I use an awl in each hand sometimes.

 You should like the results.

[Danzn Bar]

Thanks PatM ... got NO fingernails, but will work with what I have on hand.
Thanks.
DBar

[BowEd]

Cool DBar.... You don't have a spare hackberry in mind do you???
Thanks for sharing that Pat.It's something I could kick myself for not trying that it's probably so much easier.
I've got some rock hard long elk and moose leg tendons I'm afraid might take more than a day to soften up.Think I'd start out with warm water at first.

[DC]

Does it make that tangle at the "Y" any easier to deal with?

[PatM]

Does it make that tangle at the "Y" any easier to deal with?

   Yes, I've noticed  you can strip the fibers right through those sections with much less binding.  You will still find the cartilaginous  parts have to be removed and discarded but soaking makes those spots much more clearly defined.