Main Discussion Area > Primitive Skills

Pine pitch and tallow

(1/5) > >>

Allyn T:
If I wanted to make a water proofer for a bow with deer tallow and pine resin would that work pretty well?

Pat B:
It might be a better leather dressing. If you heat the bow first enough to absorb the warmed mixture. it would probably repel water pretty good. Probably a finish you'll have to replenish often, though.

Hawkdancer:
Might try equal parts pine tar, real turpentine, boiled linseed oil, (a native finish) and the deer fat.  The first mix was a canoe sealer, adding some deer fat might make it softer, and more penetrating, but as Pat said both the bow and the finish need to be warm.  I have used the base mixture on lodgepoles successfully, but it needs to be reapplied about every season.  Do a lot of testing to get what you like.  A spoon finish of 4:1,or 3:2 beeswax and flaxseed oil might also work.  Again test to see what you like.
Hawkdancer

Allyn T:
Thank you, I'm ok with applying it often I just want to try something old school in the future. I saved my tallow just for this reason

Pat B:
About 10 years ago a friend was rendering some deer tallow on his back deck. Someone knocked over the pot of hot oil on the deck. Even today water beads up on that one spot on his deck when it rains.  Using hot(not too hot) tallow on a warmed wood surface should give you enough penetration to repel water. After it cools be sure to wipe off the excess or it will collect dirt and attract animals.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page