A couple hide questions

[WhistlingBadger]

Morning, everybody.  I am still waiting to get my deer hide back from the tanners (which, by the way, is taking a very long time...but my impatience is another topic), and in the meantime I've been giving a lot of thought to quiver design.  My question is about this badger hide that a friend gave me, and which I plan to use as trim.

The skin itself has been tanned, but it is quite brittle and tears easily in the fingers.  I'm a little worried about the trim tearing loose the first time I have to push through a patch of brush.  Is there anything I can treat it with that will make it a bit more resilient?  Are there any particular stitching methods that will make it less likely to tear loose at the seams?

Any ideas are appreciated, as always!  Thanks! T

[Outbackbob48]

Good leather should not tear easily, I would try backing it with something more durable ,maybe heavy cloth or light canvas , I would glue the tearing hide to it. Bob

[Deerhunter21]

how was it tanned?

[WhistlingBadger]

No idea how it was tanned.  It isn't stiff and hard like rawhide, but it isn't soft like buckskin or leather.  I think it's a fairly old hide; the trapper said he'd had it in a box for a long time.  So maybe it's just dried out?

Bob, what kind of glue would you use for attaching the hide to a backing?  I was thinking about just gluing it to the deer leather before I stitch it.  Whatever I use needs to remain flexible and stretchable over time.  Shoe goo?  Barge cement?  Gorilla glue?  What do you recommend?

[Pat B]

I agree with Bob. I'd glue thin leather to it and use contact cement(Barge) for it.

[WhistlingBadger]

OK, I will give that a shot.  Thanks, gents!
T

[gutpile]

I'd try rubbing some neastfoot oil on it in a small spot that you will be not using to see if it will get a more pliable.. however that might eliminate the possible usage on contact cement in bonding and would require sewing... just a thought... gut