why oil brain tan deerskin ?

[salkehatchie]

Seen some brain tan over the years that has been oiled or waxed with bees wax.

OK...when it gets cold outside loses flexibility.

When it gets hot outside gets greasy.

So...why do it? "Waterproof"...yeah, but...

Thank you! :idunno:

 

[LRB]

If it is heavily smoked, oil makes it even darker. I wouldn't bother in most cases, but some like it that way. No great advantage, just darker.

 

[Artificer]

This question brings me back to my first trip to the primitive range in Friendship, IN in the spring of 1974. There was one guy in his 40's who wore a set of skins that were so dark the skins almost looked black and were greasy. He also had the worlds s-l-o-w-e-s-t flintlock, but much to my chagrin, I learned not to bet against his shooting.....

I am no expert on brain tanned buckskin by any means, having only tanned one hide and trading it off. However, from what I have read in period accounts was the buckskin being like heavy cloth, quickly absorbed water and became cold and clammy and did not dry easily. So oiling or waxing was a way to waterproof them. Compared to having something cold and clammy to just cold, I guess that was a better alternative. Of course, that is part of the reason many of the Mountain Men wore wool and cloth as much as they could and often saved their buckskins for Ronny and special occasions.

Gus

 

[Black Hand]

The advantage is that Braintan breathes, something that is impossible when greased/oiled, making it hot, sweaty and uncomfortable to wear. Personally, I would never grease/oil brain. Grease/oil will likely cause it to deteriorate prematurely.

Braintan can be washed with mild dish soap - it will stiffen a little when it dries, but can be softened by rubbing.

 

[BrownBear]

So...why do it? "Waterproof"...yeah, but...

How much rain do you get in your area?

We get 90 inches a year right here. My shooting pard used to live in Ketchikan where they can get 300 inches a year.

 

[salkehatchie]

About 34 inches per year.

 

[KentSmith]

What's the purpose of oiling/waxing smoked brain tan? It gets wet, it dries out. It gets cold and clammy, not as bad as professionally tanned leather in that since brain tan can breath it dies faster using your body heat and you just have to toughen up a bit and get through it.

I guess darkening it might be desired but I would think you would lose a lot of the benefits you got in the first place by waxing or oiling it.