Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: bjrogg on January 16, 2020, 04:53:28 pm
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I made a sheath for a neck knife and it gave me the bug to start working on some hides again. I fleshed two deer hides and put them on frames after I scraped the hair off two that were still in my frames from last winter. I have three hides brained and broke. Ready for smoke. Four scraped and ready for brains. Three on frames ready to scrap hair off. I've got a lot of work done and a lot ahead of me yet.
This is the project that gave me the bug again. It's commercial tanned deer hide from the person I made knife and sheath for. I've been nervous about cutting up my tanned hides. This little project gave me a lot of ideas and I'm much more comfortable cutting my hides up now.
Bjrogg
PS I still have 2 red fox, a couple raccoons, a ground hog and a bear. Plus whatever else gets drug over here. Not sure I'm going to get it all done but I won't be running out of projects for awhile.
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One of the scraped hides before I cut it out of frame. Ready for brains
Bjrogg
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Perty work. Hats off! That should be an emoji.
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Nice work on the sheath , love working on hides but very time consuming. :)
Pappy
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This is still on my list of stuff to do! I wanna try some fur on coyote to make a quiver. Hard to do with our coyote furs selling for just over $100 a pelt though!
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This is still on my list of stuff to do! I wanna try some fur on coyote to make a quiver. Hard to do with our coyote furs selling for just over $100 a pelt though!
It’s a lot easier to experiment with them when their $15. I’ve tanned a bunch of them over the last several years. Usually I just hang them on walls or trade for something. I did make a deal a few years ago with a neighbor who’s wife is from Ukraine. She had five red fox made into a absolutely beautiful coat. It has removable sleeves and turns into a vest. I’ve only seen pictures, but have had so many people tell me how nice it looks.
I’ve been trying to get up the nerve to cut some of this stuff up and make some stuff. I have a bunch of ideas now. I’m hoping my thumb gets better and I can finish up my hides. I’m getting quite a inventory again. Still got a lot of work to do.
Thumb is starting to feel a little better. I’m hoping I can get at them in a couple weeks. Dr said it’d take six months. We’ll see if I can adapt a bit and figure out a way to be a bit easier on it.
Bjrogg
PS really miss Ed when it comes to hide tanning advice. He did beautiful work and explained everything really well
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Hopefully, Ed is lurking out there ready to get back in on the right thread! He does have a wealth of information and advice on processing and tanning!
Hawkdancer
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Hello BJ and Hawkdancer......
The tanning bug is hard to get rid of that's for sure.Most all my ideas for projects come from just pictures I see and making them useful.
In the beginning of learning to sew I did'nt have any more experience with sewing other than putting a button back on a shirt.I soon came to respect the talents of expert seamstresses and quilt makers.I investigated into their talents and slick ways of sewing.
Some of their methods are'nt pro primitive but sure do look nice.It was'nt long I invested looking into different ways of braiding with different multiple numbers of strands also.
PS.....Nice looking deer hide.I'd aluminum sulfate tan/pickling salt those smaller hair on hides.
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Thanks Ed. Yeah the hide bug doesn’t bit everyone, but I’ve always enjoyed every step of it. From harvest to skinning to scrapping to tanning. My sewing skills are like yours first we’re. Which is slightly better than my wife’s so no help there. I do have a lot of respect for many talents and seamstress would be one of them.
My neighbor doesn’t anymore, but once upon a time did a lot of sewing. She made clothes for dolls that were pretty neat. Whenever I got a new flag, I’d take it over to her before I even ran it up the pole. She would sew it with a stitch that wouldn’t unravel. Those flags would last a long time.
I’m just going to brain tan the deer hides. The ones I did last year turned out very nice. I still have to rig something up for smoking them. The fur I’ll use commercial stuff.
Glad to see your still on the right side of the sod.
Bjrogg
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Hello BJ....
Personally I think the attraction of natural bow and arrow making,hides,fur,and leather making all stems from the attraction of the outdoors.The woods.The land.The inhabitants on it in a natural setting.How it gets along on it's own.An overall appreciation of it on any web site.
In expressing it I don't see any right or wrong side of the sod or venue to express it on.If another site is organized or made available I'm completely open to getting to know those on there too.People are people with their talents no matter what site they are on.
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I’m sorry Ed. I didn’t mean you were at a wrong web site or anything like that. I just was worried for awhile there that you might not be with us anymore. As is gone to the “ Happy Hunting Grounds”.
Where I grew up that’s an expression we use. Any day is a good day when your still on the right side off the sod. Meaning they didn’t put me in the ground yet. I’ve lost some really good friends in the last few years. Glad your still around and kickin. Looks like your still putting out some really nice stuff yet.
Bjrogg
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Im still building myself up to tanning that racoon hide... and deer hide... and well... Its my first time doing this so Im not too good. Might just make rawhide out of the deerhide but de-hairing it and de-graining it I keep getting too many holes
:-K grrrrrrr
P.S. I think saying on the right side of the sod is just a fancy way of saying, "Im glad your not dead, dying, anything of the sorts!/glad your not 6ft under!!"
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My apologies to BJ for interpreting what which side of the sod meant.Makes sense.Although I don't think about that subject too much anyway.
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No apologies necessary Ed. Just glad your doing well.
Bjrogg
Russell you can always tan your deer hide later if you make it into hair off rawhide. Just flesh it really good. You well get the hang of it after a few holes. :o . For the deer hide you could even use a power washer if you had one. Then lace it on a rack and let it dry till you can scrap the hair off.
The raccoon you could use a commercial tan. I’ve had really good luck with a system I got fro taxidermy supply company. They had some nice videos to help to. Also a support team if you called and had questions.
There are other tanning solutions to. I would suggest cleaning coon really good. I use a degreasers bath for oily hides.
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I scrapped the hair and epidermal layer off another hide tonight. Then I cut it out of frame with one of my stone points. I’m feeling out of shape. That was a good work out. Two more to go. Not tonight though.
Bjrogg
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BJ....One slick way of making sure all epidermis is off besides sanding is to brain the hide till completely limp and then scrape it on fleshing beam with a dull flesher.That action also helps to get better brain penetration on next braining besides twisting moisture out multiple times.It loosens the fibers for better penetration.Especially in the neck/spine/and hip areas.
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Ed I also do that after the first braining and it does help, just have to be gentle because it is like wet rawhide to some existent and can put a hole it it pretty easy especially in the thinner areas. ;) :) I have also gotten to where I go over them several times after I get the hair off while they are still in the rack, I don't get in a hurry to take them off the rack until I have taken the time to check them really good and usually thin some around the neck area if it is a large hide. Looking good BJ.
Pappy
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Thanks Ed. I’ve been doing like Pappy said and going over with scraper really good before removing from rack. Also using a sander to for final cleanup.
Is it possible to leave on rack and brain it completely that way? I’m guessing not but just thought I’d ask.
Bjrogg
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Yes...While in the rack a good light source like the sun/window or light bulb behind it can reveal any left over epidermis too.That's what I usually do.
Going from 60 grit overall to 80 grit overall is about the extent of fine sanding I do.I use a palm sander nowadays.Both sides too.
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Got another one ready for brains tonight. A nice big doe. Was a very nice hide. I spent extra time scrapping and sanding this one. It had a pretty thick hide. One to go.
Sure is good exercise.
Bjrogg
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Way to go Brian, Got a bunch of hides, need to get busy.
I use to dry scrape my hides on the rack also. I will try the wet method for the first time. I'll let you know how it goes. John
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Do you keep the brains in the freezer or do you have a source for fresh brains?
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I keep in freezer. I believe Ed said he’s gotten pig brains from Piggly Wiggle.
Bjrogg
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Any idea how long they can keep in the freezer and still work. Have a couple deer heads in the freezer