Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: sharpend60 on September 03, 2010, 12:56:24 pm

Title: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: sharpend60 on September 03, 2010, 12:56:24 pm
Its all in the title.

I want to make a quiver with some raw hide Ive got but where I live it rains a alot.


Id hate for my quiver to get all slimy and turn to mush...
Any Ideas?

Doesnt have to be totally primitive but does need to be simple and non toxic
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: Tara on September 03, 2010, 01:54:44 pm
Egg  or Brain tan.
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: JackCrafty on September 03, 2010, 02:52:15 pm
A coating of beeswax is the only thing I know that will work...that's natural and non-toxic.  Of course, you can come up with all sorts of beeswax, pine pitch, and tallow recipes that can be mixed up and applied to the rawhide.

I've tried making a quiver from rawhide and the thing was kinda noisy.  The hide crinkled loudly and also amplified the rattling sound of the arrows within.  I think you would need some pretty thick hide to keep the noise down.

Water doesn't affect rawhide too badly as long as it's not submerged.  It should be fine in the rain for about 15-30 minutes, without waterproofing.
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: dismount on September 04, 2010, 12:27:48 am
An old cherokee dude told me to rub the fruit bud of the prickly pear cactus on the rawhide to make it water resistant. Taking the prickly parts off first. I haven't tried it but thats what he said. In his opinion u can't make rawhide totally waterproof.  Dismount
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: JW_Halverson on September 04, 2010, 04:48:36 pm
Parfleches (rawhide boxes) made by the Plains tribes were often waterproofed by rubbing the cut sides of prickly pear cactus leaves on them.  Just split the catcus pads open and wipe them on the rawhide, and let it dry.  Several coatings will improve the water resistance.   Be sure to do both sides of the rawhide.
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: jamie on September 08, 2010, 07:57:02 am
you'd have to be in rain all day to make rawhide really soften up.
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: skyarrow on September 11, 2010, 11:49:31 pm
i thought smoking it would water proof it to a certain extent
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: sailordad on September 12, 2010, 12:31:02 am
i thought smoking it would water proof it to a certain extent

not sure,but i think thats for tanned leather not rawhide
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: El Destructo on September 12, 2010, 01:13:43 am
                                              Smoking Rawhide smell like burning Hair....and don't do a thing for Me............ >:D

All kidding aside...unless You are shooting for a Museum Quality Reproduction Bow....Seal it with Tru Oil...or Polyurethane ...both work great on Rawhides...or go primitive and   Mix up some Beeswax and Lard...and use a Heat Gun to make it Penetrate well...JMO
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: jamie on September 12, 2010, 08:46:23 am
Smoking does not waterproof, it preserves material and prevents it from returning to its natural state. A tanned hide that has been properly smoked can get wet and will soften up easily when it dries. If it wasn't smoked it would return to rawhhide when it dried . Rawhide itself will benefit from smoke by not rotting and it helps to keep the bugs away but it won't b waterproof. Like I said though it takes a lot of moisture to soften rawhide back up. A good idea may b to make a form that you can slip the quiver over so that when it does get wet it doesn't dry badly and remains it shape. Peace
Title: Re: How do you water proof raw hide?
Post by: skyarrow on September 14, 2010, 12:30:53 pm
Smoking does not waterproof, it preserves material and prevents it from returning to its natural state. A tanned hide that has been properly smoked can get wet and will soften up easily when it dries. If it wasn't smoked it would return to rawhhide when it dried . Rawhide itself will benefit from smoke by not rotting and it helps to keep the bugs away but it won't b waterproof. Like I said though it takes a lot of moisture to soften rawhide back up. A good idea may b to make a form that you can slip the quiver over so that when it does get wet it doesn't dry badly and remains it shape. Peace

thanx for the facts now i know what it does  ;D