Main Discussion Area > Primitive Skills
Brain Tanning
okiecountryboy:
All good info, Gents...
Please keep it coming!
I would think that the more brain ratio the softer the skin?
Not Sure, but seems to make sense...Maybe :-\.
please chime in...I'm in learning mode!!!
Thanks
Ron
tipi stuff:
There are a whole lot of methods to brain tanning, most of which yield similar results. Mine is done kinda like Pappy's. The brains look somewhat akin to a strawberry milkshake while it's in the blender. I mix it with more water to thin it out. Just guessing, I probably use one pound of brains with a gallon or two of water. I pour the mix into a 5 gallon bucket, and then soak the hide for an hour or so. I used to always soak them over night, but that brain mixture gets pretty rank when you do that in the summer. Now, I soak for a shorter period of time, but I ring out the hide more often. The hides come out about the same, either way.
I do know some guys that like to slather the brains on fairly thick. I've never tried it that way.
Curtis
Zuma:
Good thread and advice.
I have read where egg yolks can be a substitute for brains?
I am not good with handling innards so eggs seems great.
I have a few friends that wear buckskin exclusively and swear by it.
I have watched them lay the hide on the table and just work the brains in with a smooth river rock. I have never seen what they do after that.
I have a awesome project in the freezer and want to get all the info you members are willing to divulge. lol
You folks are the best,
Zuma
PS, I know there are many threads on this but this is current and read.
Saxton:
I would get the book "Deerskins into buckskins" by Matt Richards. I Followed that step by step and came out with an incredibly soft buckskin . I used just enough water to cover the hide with, the trick is to get the hide to the right moisture content so it soaks it up like a sponge . I tried the eggs on a squirrel and chipmunk it work well .
sleek:
Hope this isnt too bad a hijack...
I just did a three day wood ash soak to slip the hair on a deer skin. Now it smells like a skunk took a dump on it. How will the smell go away? Im doing an egg wash now on some pieces of it I cut for a quiver. But I dont wanna carry the smell of the grim reapers fart on my back even if it does make a good cover cent.
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