Hunting Pouch Material

[Pierre du Plessis]

Hi there,

I am in the process of making a hunting pouch and was wondering if buckskin is an OK material to make it out of (the pouch will be about 9"x10"). Is it historically accurate for a 1770-era longhunter, or would actual leather be a better choice? Thanks!

 

[BrownBear]

There was a thread here on this same topic a few weeks back. Odds are (and my experience sezz), you'll find the buckskin waaaaay too soft unless you're willing to limit the heck out of the weight you put in it. And a 9"x10" bag is going to tempt you to put lotsa stuff in it.

 

[Pierre du Plessis]

Thanks Cannon - makes sense. I have actually been wondering about that myself :grin:

Would it be possible to tan deerskin using sulphuric acid (or some modern tanning method), and then just dye it for a period hue? I know that I really should be doing bark tanning, but I don't have the time for that right now.

 

[BrownBear]

Dunno, cuzz I've never tried it. But with so many dye colors available, I don't see why not with a little trial and error. Might pick up a bag of remants and speriment a little before committing yourself to dying one you worked to tan yourself. Lotta uses for smaller pieces, so it wouldn't be wasted money.

 

[Billnpatti]

I made a buckskin bag several years ago and it has served me quite well for a long time. When I made it, I wondered if it might be too soft and sag like a bull's scrotum. So, to help it hold its shape, I lined it with a white material that was about the weight of denim. Before using the material as a lining, I stained it an off white with tea. I ironed it to set the color and then used spray glue to stick it to the inside of each piece of buckskin while I cut out each piece. The spray glue was just an expedient to make sure each piece of the fabric lining was exact!y the same size and shape as the buckskin. When I sewed everything together, I made sure that no fabric edges showed but were sewn securely to the buckskin. It worked quite well and has lasted for quite a few years. Don't forget to line your shoulder strap, too :thumbsup:

 

[Pierre du Plessis]

Many thanks for this info! I am in the process of turning 5 hides (4 deer and 1 sheep) into buckskin, and was hoping to use some of it to make a hunting pouch. I think I'll go ahead and attempt it, using a liner. Thanks again for that helpful tip!

BTW - does anyone know of a method to do hair-on buckskin tanning? I would love to keep the hair on on the bag's flap...

 

[George]

Many years ago someone gave me a small piece of buckskin which had been tanned with alum. It was much stiffer than regular buckskin, and was just about a perfect weight for a shooting bag. I made a belt pouch out of it, and it has served me well with hard use. It seems a bit thicker than regular buckskin, was basically white with a pinto pattern. I use pigskin for my shooting pouches, and this alum tanned buckskin is just about the same thickness and stiffness as that.





Alum tanning is historically correct, if that's a concern.

"THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTE
November 5, 1737
This is to give Notice, that Tho. Robinson living in one of Mr. Laurens new Houses, No. 3, dresses Buck Skins, prepares Alom Leather, washes and dyes Buck skin Breeches of several Colours, and likewise buys Buck Skins, that are not merchantable."

Spence

 

[Rifleman1776]

My standard reply on questions like this is:
'back then' they used what they had. Weren't many Tandy stores around at the time. If they lived near a large town with a tannery likely they would have used heavy leather. If on the frontier and they needed a bag of some kind the hide of last nites supper probably provided the material.
Second thought, if used as rawhide it would be stiffer and less prone to be baggy. When yer survivin', no matter the year be 1700 or 2014, ain't nothing 'incorrect'.

 

[George]

My standard reply on questions like this is:
'back then' they used what they had.

I agree. But, what did they have?

Spence

 

[BrownBear]

I've always been curious about the alum tanned, and you've encouraged that interest. Thanks!

As for rawhide, ever handle a dog's rawhide chew bone after it's been slobbered good? Not something I'd want hanging from my side on a rainy day.

 

[Rifleman1776]

My standard reply on questions like this is:
'back then' they used what they had.

I agree. But, what did they have?

Spence

They had what they had. That might have been nothing. And, not everyone survived.

 

[Rifleman1776]

As for rawhide, ever handle a dog's rawhide chew bone after it's been slobbered good?

Yes, but I doubt they were letting a dawg chew on their hunting pouch. As I said, they had what they had. It might have been their shirt, recent kill deer, or nothing. And, no all survived.

 

[Stophel]

Most old shot bags you see in books and auctions tend to be described as being made of "calfskin". Of the few old shot bags I have seen and really got to look at, they have all been cow/calf leather and probably in the 3oz thickness range.

I personally find 3-4 oz to be just right. Over that ANY, and it gets too thick and stiff.

Buckskin would make a pretty soft, floppy bag, but it can be done (and has been). Elk hide does a much better job, as it's a bit thicker and stiffer.

They've been made of pigskin, buckskin, elkskin, bearskin, and buffalo skin, but plain old fashioned cowhide/calfskin seems to be the preferred material. :wink:

On a side note, I'd like to find some oak tanned pigskin somewhere that is NOT shaved down to paper thinness....So far I've had no luck.

 

[BrownBear]

As for rawhide, ever handle a dog's rawhide chew bone after it's been slobbered good?

Yes, but I doubt they were letting a dawg chew on their hunting pouch.

I made a trap spring knife I really like. First time out of the barrel I wrapped the grip with rawhide, really liking the way it looked and felt in the hand.

Then I spent a day in the rain. Handling that knife was kinda like grabbing a fist full of wet boogers. :barf: Dang near cut myself a couple of times dressing a deer, it slid around in my hand so badly.

Stripped off the rawhide and replaced it with wound strips of oiled leather. Been using it in the rain ever since.

 

[Pierre du Plessis]

Thanks Stophel! A lot of great info...

I have just finished softening/smoking my first deer hide, and it came out sorta stiff - more like leather than oil-tanned buckskin. Oops. However, I'm thinking that it'll make a better pouch...

 

[Billnpatti]

You have to work it to make it soft. A good way to do this, is to use a baseball bat. Be sure the end is nice and smooth so you don't damage your hide. Somehow, fix it so that it stands straight up and then vigorously use the leather as if you were going to buff the end of the bat. This will work the leather and make it soft.

 

[matt denison]

Thanks Stophel! A lot of great info...

I have just finished softening/smoking my first deer hide, and it came out sorta stiff - more like leather than oil-tanned buckskin. Oops. However, I'm thinking that it'll make a better pouch...

You've got to continue working that leather, breaking up the fibers to make it soft.

By the way I love my brain tan shooting bag. It is coppied from one in an AJ Miller painting including the quillwork. It sags a little but that is OK, I don't want it to look like it was stamped out in China. It was of course smoked which gave it its color and over the years (12 years?) it has taken on a very well used look.

 

[Pierre du Plessis]

I actually frame-softened it for 2+ hours, until it was completely dry - that's why I'm so puzzled as to the stiffness. I'll try softening it some more, though.

Perhaps I need to dress the hide more than once - more like 2-3 times, and let it soak in the dressing (eggs) longer. Or next time I'll use brains. Just thinking out loud :wink: ...

 

[Billnpatti]

It may need a bit more oil. Neetsfoot oil would be good. Just rub it in and then work the leather. Keep applying oil and rubbing until it is soft. I suppose if you must keep it true to days of yore, you could use something like bear oil or lanolin to soften it.

 

[Pierre du Plessis]

Thanks - I'll try that! Will post pictures of the finished bag later...