Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: rover brewer on February 28, 2012, 09:32:54 pm

Title: raw hide
Post by: rover brewer on February 28, 2012, 09:32:54 pm

I have some raw hide and was thinking how do you soften it, I've tried mink oil and it still hard.I don't understand how it will soak up water and be soft but mink oil has no effect on it help please.

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: Pat B on February 28, 2012, 09:39:24 pm

You'll have to tan it before it becomes soft.

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: rover brewer on February 28, 2012, 10:17:45 pm

thanks Pat B now how do I tan it??

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: sonny on February 28, 2012, 11:19:30 pm

google "breaking hides to soften"

was going to try to explain "breaking" a hide but you'll find your answers with that
google search.

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: Pappy on February 29, 2012, 08:57:45 am

Like said it will have to be tanned to stay soft,water will soften it but it will dry hard again. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: rover brewer on February 29, 2012, 09:17:26 am

thanks to all I also found that I need to soak it a mixture of aluminum sulfate and salt and water.

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: Pappy on February 29, 2012, 09:22:45 am

Maybe,don't know about that  :o I soak rawhide in brains or egg and then stretch until it is dry to make it soft and leather,little more to it than that but thats all mine is soaked in.Good luck,let us know how it turns out. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: rover brewer on February 29, 2012, 08:02:26 pm

Thanks Pappy, will any brains work, so you do brain tanning,which I think I saw something on you tube on it.I hope to see you this year at the tn. classic.

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: Pappy on March 01, 2012, 10:25:56 am

Yes any except mine. ;) ;D ;D I do quite a bit brain tanning,working/breaking on 3 hides right now and got another one racked. It's not that hard, just time consumming.  :) Hope you can make it.Love to meet ya.  :)

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: rover brewer on March 01, 2012, 07:45:50 pm

Thanks again Pappy, no I don't want use your brain just pick it for imfo, I met you 2 years ago back when we had the big flood, made a hickory bow, had a great time missed last year due to the passing of a good friend of the family.If I make it this year I have been ssaveing up a lot of john stone for the knappers, I have plans to make it but you never know what might come up. and if I do and we have another flood its not me ok.

Title: Re: raw hide
Post by: Pappy on March 02, 2012, 06:49:25 am

Cool,looking forward to it,ya that was some flood,I told Miss Joanie ,what a tough bunch,with all the rain/mud I never heard a complant ,only heard what do you need me to do or what can I help you with.Great bunch of folks we run with. :) :) :)
   Pappy