Main Discussion Area > Around the Campfire
More hidework
TimBo:
I really struggled with getting the right moisture content on the first hide I softened. After my hands and forearms recovered, I realized it had been way too damp to start. I have done a couple more since that one, but the memory of how long the first one took is probably why I have such a backlog of hides to soften! I am hoping that the dried ones can just be dampened slightly and will be a lot quicker/easier to work. Thanks for the photos of your rolling/wringing setup.
BowEd:
At 75 to 80 degree weather F. with a slight breeze a normal sized deer hide of 10 square feet as rawhide usually only takes about 3 hours roping time to soften and dry.It may take longer overall just because of it being put into the plastic sack intermittently taking breaks of a half hour or so along the way.Larger and thicker 15 to 20 square foot bucks will take 4 to 5 hours of roping time.Yearling deer hides will take under 3 hours.
It's all a matter of how long and hard you rope it and how warm and windy it is outside.When roping in too hot and windy of conditions it can be hard to keep up with it as fast as it is drying if it's a larger hide.
You might have to rebrain/twist them from a donut 4 or 5 times rebraining every time the ones that are dried to be sure they are brained properly,and rope them dry again.I'm sure they will be brained properly then.
BowEd:
Many times in the beginning of learning to brain tan deer hides people don't realize that all of the epidermis is not off.Their eyes are not trained enough yet to see it.Which can account for stiffness in hides.It is'nt until they smoke it and see the lighter colored streaks on their smoked hide that they realize it.
Scars can be white because they are scars...hard and not leather.
2 things have got to be to get soft as flannel hides.All the epidermis off and the hide being brained properly.
BowEd:
I've been experimenting and debating with myself different ways to dye this smoked brain tan.
These are some paint sticks used with good results.
A lot less trouble/mess and more water proof than using dry earth pigments and an adjuvant like egg yolk.
They are acrylic paint sticks to be exact.Some blue colors tested.
Buckskinner:
Wow, very impressive and useful information here. Have you ever done a bear? They seem very thin skinned and I assume not great leather from them.
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