Author Topic: New Brain Tanning Project (Read 12002 times)

Digital Caveman · « **on:** March 22, 2021, 08:01:47 pm »

I just pulled out a deer hide I had frozen in a snow bank over the winter. The hair practically fell of, and I think it took the epidermis with it. Most of the flesh cam off easily except for two large chunks on either side of the neck. To clean it and keep it safe I submerged it in the lake for the night.

Pappy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2021, 08:16:34 am »

That's 1 way to do it.

Good luck, look forward to seeing how it turns out.
Pappy

Hawkdancer · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2021, 02:07:58 pm »

Makes it sound easy! If the hair was in large clumps, you probably only need to give the hide a once over to be sure the epidermis is off. Have fun, and stake well!

Hawkdancer

Digital Caveman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2021, 02:16:47 pm »

I just love the texture of the hair off hide. Can I turn it into leather without taking the grain off? How does bark tanning compare?

Hawkdancer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2021, 02:57:08 pm »

Personally, I think you get softer leather with brain tanning, but I am no expert. You do have to smoke the hide to "set" the oils. Have not used the bark method.
Hawkdancer

Digital Caveman · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2021, 03:18:12 pm »

I don't really want soft leather, I want something that is flexible, but can hold its own shape and is not affected by water like rawhide. (this is for a quiver, not a vest)

Fox · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2021, 03:43:02 pm »

I dislike bark tanning because I suck at it

But if you brain tan it’s fairly important to have all the grain off... which is the hardest part. I would be surprised if the ice bank would do that... 3-5 days in a lye solution and then several hours at the fleshing post scraping the grain off.... but this is just how I was taught. There’s so many ways to tan a deerskin

WhistlingBadger · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2021, 05:57:23 pm »

I made a quiver out of bark tan deer skin. (Didn't tan it myself, although that's on the to do list next time I whack something) It's a lot stiffer than brain tan (but of course a lot softer than rawhide) and seems stronger. It seems pretty water resistant too.

Digital Caveman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 23, 2021, 07:52:58 pm »

That's what I want, I'm thinking something like thin boot leather.

Pappy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2021, 11:42:52 pm »

Just brain tan and let dry, don’t stretch as it dries , it will dry stiff. Pappy

Digital Caveman · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2021, 09:40:26 am »

Won't it dry as stiff as rawhide? I guess that was I can always go back and redress and stretch more if need be. I'm planning on giving it a weak vinigar bath if need be. I've been wondering, what part of the process makes it rot resistant?
Thanks,

Pappy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2021, 09:19:01 am »

Ya it will dry stiff, thought that's what you wanted, $:-\$ I always go for soft so maybe this is above my pay grade,

smoking will keep the bugs away and keep it from rotting I suppose, never had any trouble with rotting and have kept just raw hide and un smoked brain tan for years with no problems ,so not sure that is much of a issue.

Pappy

Digital Caveman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2021, 10:26:57 am »

Good to know, Thanks.

I'm looking for something between the texture of rawhide and fabric, something like cow leather if possible. Maybe a medium amount of softening will get that.

Pappy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2021, 08:20:17 am »

Wished I had more or better advice but I don't. Good luck and hope it turns out just like you want it.

Pappy

Digital Caveman · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2021, 09:14:55 am »

Thank, so do I!

Primitive Archer