Brain Tanning

[KHickam]

Does any one do this? Any books or videos you recommend? Is it difficult?


Keith

 

[Bill Austin]

Try Deerskins into Buckskins by Matt Richards, the book and video both are very informative. It's a little labor intensive but not to hard if you follow the steps in the book.You can order the book off of[url] braintan.com[/url]. Good luck.

 

[Twisted_1in66]

Try Deerskins into Buckskins by Matt Richards, the book and video both are very informative. It's a little labor intensive but not to hard if you follow the steps in the book.You can order the book off of[url] braintan.com[/url]. Good luck.

Be sure that you get the revised edition. He changed his methods slightly from the original and it consistently yields the really soft buckskin.

Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:

 

[agill]

I agree. Matt Richards' "Deer Skins into Buckskins" book and CD are excellent sources of information. I've finshed one hide and I'm nearly finshed on two more. It isn't easy, but not terribly difficult either. I recommend trying this for anyone who likes this kind of history/skills. It'll make you appreciate what the people who made their clothing out of it from necessity went through. I plan on making some moccasins as soon as I can.

 

[KHickam]

Thanks - I will get one - perhaps if I get lucky this fall I will have a couple deer hides to tan. :thumbsup:

 

[agill]

Keep an eye open for fresh roadkilled deer. I made my first buckskin out of one and it didn't have any holes from a roundball. You can freeze or salt the hide until you're ready to braintan.

 

[markinstettler]

I'm restricted in what projects I can do by the type of leather I have on hand (chrome tanned soft buckskin) as much as the amount of leather I have (one partial hide).

Does Matt Richards' book cover other sorts of leathers? How about a method for tanning with the hair on?

Not that the answers to the above questions will stop me from picking up the book.

 

[Seamus]

Matt likes to tan without using harsh chemicals lik those used in most commercial leather.
You can use common material other than brains, I've used olive oil and Ivory soap in a pinch.
Look at[url] braintan.com[/url] for info on tanning with the hair on.

 

[wildeagle]

Keith, Blue Mountain Buckskin by Jim Riggs is a Pretty informative book, lots of pics, and other pertinate info(patterns,sewing,diagrams for cutting parts from a hide).Also goes into detail about tools.Book of buskinning III has a good article.The most important ingrediant in brain tan is a large supply of ELBOW GREASE, but the finished product is well worth it!!!

 

[scott fellows]

if you are going to use the brains then be sure you don't have any open wounds on your hands as an infection can set in in a very short time. just something for you to watch out for. pieman