possible bag frills

[ursarojo]

I have a possibles bag I want to dress up a bit so I got three ermine skins to put on the flap to hang down. Problem is the skins are a little bit brittle. Not stiff as a board but they don't hang down smoothly. They are not cut up the abdomin. they are like little tubes with the hair on. So, I guess my question is what can I put on them to soften the hides up. Neatsfoot, linseed oil, :hmm: .
they are nice little hides and they scared the wife when I let her open the box, had a badger skin in there with em.

 

[ladysmithtrading]

Dont use linseed oil!!!!!!! neetsfoot or mink oil, use something thats made from animal oils and lanolins.

 

[Rancocas]

They are not cut up the abdomin. they are like little tubes with the hair on.

That is how the trappers skin and dry the hides of most furbearers, the way the buyers want them. It is referred to as a "cased" hide. Later, the coat makers will cut the case open in order to use the skins for making garments or trim on garments, etc.
An exception is beaver which are cut up the belly, opened out flat, stretched and dried.
Neat's Foot oil should do the job of softening up your skins.

Oh, the thought just struck me - are you sure your ermine skins are tanned? It sounds like you might have raw, cased, and dried hides. If that is the case, you probably should have them tanned before you use them to decorate a bag. Otherwise, they will get stiff after every exposure to the weather, plus they could eventually start to rot and stink.

 

[ursarojo]

thanx for the input. I went to Tandy's and got some mink oil. Turned out fine, soft and pliable now and I think they will hang right for the look I want.

 

[ursarojo]

thanx for the info. I was wondering what "cased" meant.
I went back to the site, (Moscow hide and furs), and they are advertised as tanned. I'll keep an eye on em to see if they start to deteriorate in weathering.
If so I will take up an indian name like "he who walks with rotting mice hanging from his bag." :haha: