Posted: 9/27/2010 7:13:52 AM EDT
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One of my boys is hunting big game for the first time this year and wants to make a buckskin tunic or shirt. The family has six tags so we should have quite a bit of material. I have never made buckskin before, and none of the guys I hunt with have ever done it. I have done some research on the internet, and most of what is there seems to be oriented towards doing it with primitive materials. It seems awfully complicated and gross, with the mashing up of deer brains and all of that. I want to do it as easily as possible, and have no problem using modern technology. Does anybody know a method that works?
Thanks. |
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Send them off....
But if your up for alot of work, try getting some kits. Several searches should get you some good options. One of my trapping catalogs carries some good choices. Also a quick and dirty way that I have used to some success is: Skin, scrape fat/meat/hair off, stretch and nail onto plywood, salt heavily. leave for a month as you add salt. Soak for a few days in water. Repeat at least once more. Then rub in neats foot oil until soft. This process will not yield the softest buckskin but will preserve it. |
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If you dont want the mess, then just send them off to a tannery to have done. Tanning is hard work, no matter if its bark or brain tan. This. +1000000000 (dont want to wear out the 0 button) but it's tough. I've done both brain and bark tanning, using mainly primitive methods, and it's not something I would want to undertake on a regular basis. As for taking the hair off, I've soaked my hides in a brine solution for a week or so and the hair just slides right off. Make sure you use a SEALED container or the maggots will ensue. Another option is a set of electric clippers followed by a straight razor or even a bunch of Bic Disposables. |
| I tanned small critter hides as a kid using only salt. Nail it, scrape it, salt it. It was easy. took me ten minutes. That was for a chipmunk. I could see a deer hide taking a day or two. I would not send it out to be tanned though. I think this would be a great project for your kid. Very "My Side of the Mountain." I would have loved it when I was young. |
| Its lots and lots of work, I did two deer skins about 10-12 years ago, I soaked them about a week in a 5 gallon bucket with a heavy brine soulution....the hair comes off with scrapping then I smoke tanned them, they took on a yellowish- ligt brown tint...the hardest part is breaking the leather's toughness to make them supple enough to use...a lot of work |
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