Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Pat B on February 05, 2015, 02:52:50 pm

Title: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Pat B on February 05, 2015, 02:52:50 pm

I'm making a Plains style quiver with a commercial tanned coyote hide. I want to use the face but the snout, nose and ears are all crumpled up. Can I soak this in warm water and reshape them? ...or is it just how it is?

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: bubby on February 05, 2015, 03:08:29 pm

I have the same thing going pat, hope we get a answer we like  :)

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Pat B on February 05, 2015, 03:12:20 pm

Yeah, bubby, me too.

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Zuma on February 05, 2015, 06:54:57 pm

Try it! Use a formed stretcher to dry it over.
What's to lose.
Zuma

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Outbackbob48 on February 05, 2015, 07:09:41 pm

Pat , dampen back with a wet towel slowly  let it rehydrate,  make little card board pcs to hold ears erect an etc, let dry slowly I wouldn't use to much heat and don't get real wet just enough to move stuff, to wet and hair can slip :( :o Bob

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Pat B on February 05, 2015, 11:16:45 pm

Thanks Bob, I'll give that a try.

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Pappy on February 06, 2015, 06:09:59 am

Good advice, Bob the hair will slip if it is already tanned ? that seems odd but you should know. :)
  Pappy

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Outbackbob48 on February 06, 2015, 05:49:07 pm

Pappy, Not sure if tanned hair will slip or not  :-\ but I know soaking wet is not good for tanned hides :( Moyle always sent a little note with returned furs about hydrating to improve looks of ears and such. Bob

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: mullet on February 07, 2015, 12:12:38 am

Heck, that's what I wanted for my flintlock and you cut the tail and head off? ???

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Pat B on February 07, 2015, 12:37:30 am

I cut the tail and head off of this one too, Eddie.  ;)

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Pat B on February 12, 2015, 11:19:12 pm

Well, the moist towel softened the hide but didn't affect the cartilage. That is what is malformed. I guess I'll just live with it. 

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: stickbender on February 12, 2015, 11:36:47 pm

     Maybe you could put a wet towel on just the ear cartilage  and put a hot iron on the towel to steam the cartilage.  Just a guess.

                                    Wayne

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: nclonghunter on February 13, 2015, 12:01:08 am

Wetting a tanned hide should not make the hair slip. If you kept it wet for a long time it may, but just to soften it, it shouldn't. Neatsfoot oil is a good leather softener and can be applied to the leather. You likely do not know if it is a chrome tan or alum tan. A chrome tan will not leach out when it gets wet. An alum tan can and will slowly leach out when it gets wet and will harden after a while. But it should take several times of getting wet.
The face cartilage does not soften easily and you can cause the whiskers to break and fall out, as well as damaging the nose so be gentle around those areas if you try a soften them.
Good Luck..l

Title: Re: ? about tanned coyote hide
Post by: Pat B on February 13, 2015, 08:20:41 pm

NC, that's where I'm having trouble, around the nose. The ears don't bother me, they make it look mean the way they are laying down.  ;D  This coyote face is going to be the flap for a possible bag.