how about duck fat for bow finish and leather dressing?

[ozy clint]

i've heard of bear grease but we don't have them here in australia. i cooked a roast duck the other week and have a jar full of fat. would this be suitable for a primtive finish? would i be better of with beeswax or linseed oil?
would the fat be okay for primitive leather dressing?

[Hrothgar]

Clint, I doubt if there is much difference in various types of animal fats. Bear is a greasey meat, but so is duck. If your grease has been sitting in a jar for a couple days, then the lard or 'white' colored fat should have risen to the top of the jar and hardened by now. This is what you want to use. You should do a little research to find out the best ways to apply the fat--heating, number of coats, etc. It should water-proof the wood. You might need additional applications at some point down the road.
Good luck

[lostarrow]

They use it to waterproof their feathers, so it should do a decent job on your bow. As always,try it on some scrap first. You may wind up with a greasy mess that never dries and starts to smell bad.Few tears would be shed by burning the scrap. You may have to mix or topcoat with wax. Let us know what you find out, and good luck to you!

[Marc St Louis]

I rendered some Canada Goose fat one time.  The stuff would not harden even in cold temperatures.  I had it in a small container on my workbench and it spilled over one day and I didn't notice it.  It leaked out all over my workbench, did a wonderful job of waterproofing it.

[ozy clint]

thanks guys. i'll do some testing.
the fat i have is all one colour in the jar. it's in the fridge and is still soft like margarine.