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Brain tan buckskin - smoked or not?

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Carson (CMB):
I have some brain tan buckskin I picked up a while back on ebay.  I would like to make either a shirt or a couple of side quivers.  I have heard that smoking buckskin makes it more waterproof.  How can i tell if the buckskin I have has been smoked?  If it hasn't can I still smoke it?  Thanks.  Don't know my way around brain tan buckskin, but I sure would like to add that skill to my list!

JW_Halverson:
Stick your nose in it and sniff deeply.  Does it smell like strong bacon?  Any smoke smell?

Secondly, does it have any color?  Brain tan that is unsmoked is almost pure white (depending on different recipes), unless the tanner used a dye.

Pappy:
What JW said on telling and yes you can some it anytime,I have a couple tat need smoking now.I just do them when I get time and am in the mood. :)
   Pappy

Carson (CMB):
Thanks JW and Pappy.  I could not detect even the faintest smell of smoke or bacon, and dang if just trying to smell bacon doesn't make me hungry!  The color is almond.

So I am guessing smoke from burning animal fat is best for smoking hides for waterproofing?
 

JW_Halverson:
All the braintanners I know prefer punky hardwoods for smoking.  The punky wood almost guarantees no flare-ups that could burn or overheat the leather.  It just smokes, smolders, and smudges.

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