skins

[Jamie123]

hello,

looking for advice/ recommendations/ dos and fonts....

I have taken 3 roe does, thoughts with time off work to have a crack at making a rug/throw...ive tried 3 different methods one from a forum/ one from youtube and the other from k-tan solutions.

The cheap one online form the forum has failed with loads of hair slip already... so ill not be doing that again.
second one from youtube is working well swell as the third fingers crossed.

question being does anyone if pictures from their roe does in winter coat...does the hairlip eventually...
has anyone used k tan before...recommendations?

 

[deerstalker.308]

Deer hair is brittle whatever you do with it, whether it slips or simply snaps they’ll never stand up to any kind of hard use sadly

 

[Robs]

K-tan is just simple ingredients you can buy cheaply on the internet. It is over priced for the amounts you get. Aluminium sulphate solution will open the skin up for tanning, chromium sulphate solution to tan and bicarbonate solution to neutralise. Trim the skins and wash carefully before and work the hide as it dries. Work in a suitable oil to maintain suppleness. Roe and fox is the perfect size for this, red stags are just ball busters.

 

[Jamie123]

K-tan is just simple ingredients you can buy cheaply on the internet. It is over priced for the amounts you get. Aluminium sulphate solution will open the skin up for tanning, chromium sulphate solution to tan and bicarbonate solution to neutralise. Trim the skins and wash carefully before and work the hide as it dries. Work in a suitable oil to maintain suppleness. Roe and fox is the perfect size for this, red stags are just ball busters.

always liked the feel of winter doe skin thought it would be more comfortable.

 

[Jamie123]

Deer hair is brittle whatever you do with it, whether it slips or simply snaps they’ll never stand up to any kind of hard use sadly

you wouldn't know the rough life expectancy of a rug would you?

 

[deerstalker.308]

you wouldn't know the rough life expectancy of a rug would you?

Nope, entirely dependant on expectations, door mat walked on constantly? Two weeks…… back of an arm chair rarely sat on, years….. piece of string question I’m afraid. Hung on the wall or over a banister rail would last ages though (years and years)

 

[Robs]

Son had red deer rug in his student digs. Lasted four years hard use then returned home. As stated, the hairs break after a time. Now used in parts when kneeling when gardening. Soft Roe throws generally last indefinitely but others may have different experiences.

 

[Dave Lakes]

Can you post a link to the YouTube method you’ve used please? I’d like to do this with some roe

 

[saddler]

I've got a few books on home tanning.
Supposedly the brain tanning method is one that gives really good results with close to zero financial outlay, just time spent doing it
Same for oak bark solution, etc.
I much prefer the traditional options to the metallic solutions more common these days

IF anyone ever has the chance, a trip around a working tannery is well worth it

I also know of one Scottish tanners that can do your hides from you - whether deer or boar, etc.

 

[Jamie123]

I've got a few books on home tanning.
Supposedly the brain tanning method is one that gives really good results with close to zero financial outlay, just time spent doing it
Same for oak bark solution, etc.
I much prefer the traditional options to the metallic solutions more common these days

IF anyone ever has the chance, a trip around a working tannery is well worth it

I also know of one Scottish tanners that can do your hides from you - whether deer or boar, etc.

I've been doing a fair bit of research before trying it...the brain training style isa bit grim however, I think you are right, a more natural and cheaper solution would make more sense.

I have seen a few company advertising it how can be a bit pricy I think...have you used them the past?

 

[Jamie123]

Can you post a link to the YouTube method you’ve used please? I’d like to do this with some roe

I can do no problem...ill post the results of the best method I think used.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Not worth me creating another hide tanning thread but this may be of interest:

It’s easy to dismiss/critique such enthusiasm and endeavour but at least the guy is giving it a go.

K

 

[Woodsy]

Leather Making Workshops | Oak And Smoke Tannery

Oak And Smoke Tannery offers courses and one-to-one tuition in hide tanning, leather making and primitive living skills in the UK and runs lively camps teaching leather making in a natural environment.

www.oakandsmoketannery.co.uk

If you want to learn how to tan skins traditionally using bark/brains and smoke I can highly recommend a look at the website above. She’s a friend of mine who has spent years learning about and more recently teaching this craft through her courses.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Leather Making Workshops | Oak And Smoke Tannery

Oak And Smoke Tannery offers courses and one-to-one tuition in hide tanning, leather making and primitive living skills in the UK and runs lively camps teaching leather making in a natural environment.

www.oakandsmoketannery.co.uk

If you want to learn how to tan skins traditionally using bark/brains and smoke I can highly recommend a look at the website above. She’s a friend of mine who has spent years learning about and more recently teaching this craft through her courses.

You’re not getting me into a pair of buckskin hot pants!

K

 

[Jamie123]

Not worth me creating another hide tanning thread but this may be of interest:

It’s easy to dismiss/critique such enthusiasm and endeavour but at least the guy is giving it a go.

K

defiantly worth trying for next time.

 

[Jamie123]

 

[Jamie123]

the finished products. I have learned a lot over the experience more do than donts unfortantley.

 

[JohnSmith]

Looks great! The “donts” are a necessary and valuable byproduct of learning new skills, so don’t focus on those.

Up here, caribou/reindeer hides (which are also fragile and have hair slippage) are mainly used as a bedroll to sleep on during hunts on the land, especially on cold winter hunts.

 

[foxdropper]

I know this is about diy skins but the Welsh Organic Tannery does a very good job and not too pricey either .