Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: osage outlaw on March 10, 2015, 08:53:09 pm
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I have a few hides in the freezer and decided it was time to figure out how to tan them. I started with a fawn hide and two chipmunks. I was going to take them to the Moontree get together and work on them with the guys down there but I thought it would be better to keep the mess at home. These hides were given to me by a couple of coworkers. Today I scraped them as clean as I could get them. I covered them in salt and worked it into the skin. I folded them in half and then rolled them up. I'm following the directions on the tanning formula that I bought. I hope they turn out good. I still have the deer hide from my first primitive kill in the freezer and I want to tan it.
I'm totally new to hide tanning so if you see that I'm doing something wrong or have any tips please let me know.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/bows%202015/SDC17348.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/bows%202015/SDC17349.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/bows%202015/SDC17352.jpg)
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Boy double o u got them nice and clean ;)
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It was a lot of scraping. I think I got the membrane off. At least I hope I did. I don't want to scrape any more. And there was about 500 burrs in the deer hide that I picked out.
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If you are brain tanning the fawn, it probably won't soften the way a grown deer will. The same is true for bison calves. When they are finished, they usually have a kind of crackly feel to them such as you get with poorly tanned buckskin. I'm not sure why the baby critters don't tan as well, but this has been my experience. I am not trying to dissuade you, just prepare you. Plains tribes used them for berry bags, as do I. Theirs didn't come out soft either. They are pretty cool regardless! I cannot speak for the chipmunks. I've never tried tanning those before. Curtis
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Thanks Curtis. I'm not brain tanning these. I saved several deer brains and have them in the freezer but I decided to go with a liquid tanning solution that I bought online. That's strange about the young hides not turning out soft. I wonder if their skin didn't have the time to mature and develop enough. I was thinking of making a quiver out of the fawn so it doesn't have to be soft.
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Hope they turn out good for you, Looks like you done a good job scrapping, I don't do hair on and have never used salt or Bought tanning solution so can't advise at all but will be watching. ;) :) :)
Pappy
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Well, since you have all that fleshing/scraping experience, I'd suppose that you would be the go-to guy at Moontree. I have 8 beaver, 3 bobcats, a coyote, a red fox, and a coon that need some attention. Let me know when you get them done. :o ;) :)
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Thanks Curtis. I'm not brain tanning these. I saved several deer brains and have them in the freezer but I decided to go with a liquid tanning solution that I bought online. That's strange about the young hides not turning out soft. I wonder if their skin didn't have the time to mature and develop enough. I was thinking of making a quiver out of the fawn so it doesn't have to be soft.
I can tell you my hide has stretched a LOT since I've "matured and developed" ....
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Mine to Paoliguy ;D
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I have never done one but would like too. I will be watching also.
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I'm trying to figure it out as I go Chief. I'm just following the directions on the tanning formula bottle. I scraped off all the salt and put a new layer down. I won't be able to work on them again until the weekend so I'll have to throw them back in the freezer tomorrow.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/bows%202015/20150311_193619.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/bows%202015/20150311_193714.jpg)
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/bows%202015/20150311_194403.jpg)
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Man, those hides are scraped clean. Good job, Clint.
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Thanks Eddie. I started in the center and got what I think is the membrane opened up. I just kept working it around with the knife and kind of rolled it all the way to the edge of the skin. It took a good while to do it. I'm not looking forward to doing that on a full size deer hide.
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They are a hole lot easier to flesh right off the deer Clint, 15/20 minutes tops. I use a fleshing pole and semi dull draw knife. :)Also your pictures have gone for some reason ??? :-\ :-\
Pappy
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That's some of the cleanest fleshing I have ever seen. Also, it is the first chipmunk I have ever seen fleshed. That fawn hide should make a nice quiver. Hate to ever see a fawn expire, but glad it is going to good use. What did you use to flesh with? I have a cheap fleshing knife that is better suited as a boat anchor, or I need some serious lessons on it. I just can't seem to get the hang of it.
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Pappy, the pictures are still there when I view it. Don't know whats up on your end. The buck hide I want to tan has been in the freezer for a year and a half. I usually don't have the time to mess with many projects when its deer killin' season.
Greg, I used the white handled knife in the pictures. Its just a straight blade with a square tip. I'm planning on making a quiver out of the fawn. The chipmunks were just something to learn on. I might find a use for them ;)
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Pictures are back, I don't either but I try and take the time to flesh ,then roll up and freeze, then when I am ready I can thaw and ready to do what ever The plan is, In my case usually rack and dry scrape the hair, then tan. The trouble with hair on deer hide for projects where their is wear and tear is the hair is hollow and nothing like fur so it breaks off and will get everywhere when worn. I love them to lay on a table or something like that. Love the fawn hide, that is sweet looking. :)
Pappy
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Tonight I scraped off the salt and put it in a salt water solution to soak for 6-8 hours. Tomorrow morning I'm getting up early to rinse them off and wash them with dawn dish soap. I'm about halfway through the instructions so far.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/bows%202015/20150313_221921.jpg)
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The next step is the most important. I woke up extra early before the wife woke up and I rinsed the hides out in the kitchen sink ;D Then I washed them with dish soap and rinsed again. I had just finished cleaning up all the water mess when the wife walked into the kitchen. She puts up with a lot of stuff but I think washing animal hides in her kitchen sink would cross the line into the danger zone.
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The hides are hanging up and drip drying. I'm hoping they are dry enough to apply the tanning solution before I have to leave this afternoon.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Mobile%20Uploads/20150314_090648.jpg)
Here is the solution that I will be using.
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Mobile%20Uploads/20150314_090916.jpg)
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I was thinking about not putting the solution on the chipmunks. Could I let them dry like they are? Would they be like rawhide?
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They would be raw(untanned)hide! I'm curious to see how they turn out Clint.
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That was one heck of a fleshing job Clint. That took a lot of patience.
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Thanks Ryan.
I put the solution on the hides, massaged it in, and folded them in half. I'm supposed to leave it like that for 12-16 hours and then I hang them up to slowly dry. If it works like the bottle says it does I should have finished tanned hides in 2-3 days after they slowly dry. We'll see :-\
(http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/clintanders/Mobile%20Uploads/20150314_201722.jpg)
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Enjoying this thread Outlaw. I've always wondered about the "bottled" tanning solutions. By the way, OUTSTANDING job scrapeing those hides. Bob
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Looking good Clint! Can't wait to check them out
Tracy
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I tanned a red fox with that same solution. It works pretty well. I just have to learn to flesh the hides better.
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Ya fleshing is key to a soft hide. :) Looking forward to seeing them finished Clint. :)
Pappy