|
|
Post by Rod on Jun 9, 2012 7:03:25 GMT -7
Just a reminder that the annual Ft. Union Rendezvous is coming up, June 14-17. This year's featured speaker is Mark Baker. There will also be a goodly number of other presenters, traders, and general ne'er-do-wells. Stop by and watch me brain tan hides by day and tan my brain by night---the Shrub is already made and in the kettle!
If you find yourself near western North Dakota/eastern Montana, you owe it to yourself to stop by.
Rod
|
|
|
|
Post by Leifer on Jun 11, 2012 23:59:31 GMT -7
I'll be making it out with the family in full(ish) garb on Saturday. What's a guy usually do about food while out at the Fort during Rendezvous? Should I bring my deer hide and brain? The deer's that is...though mine would probably be a good idea too I suppose.....
|
|
|
|
Post by Rod on Jun 12, 2012 6:24:28 GMT -7
You can bring your own, and you're welcome to my fire---or, there is usually a food vendor down at the parking lot, which is pretty convenient, too.
What condition is the hide in? Hair on yet, or dehaired, dried, frozen? That'll determine whether we can do anything with it in a day or not.
Rod
|
|
|
|
Post by Leifer on Jun 12, 2012 6:27:50 GMT -7
The hide is frozen the chest freezer with the hide on. Brain is frozen too. Would it work to bring half of the hide or smaller?
|
|
|
|
Post by Rod on Jun 12, 2012 20:45:09 GMT -7
Sorry to disappoint you, but we wouldn't get far with the hide. I do a dry scrape method, which is what my research tells me is most appropriate for the Northern Plains. It's got to be thawed (I usually toss it in a container of water), then it's got to be laced into a frame. Then I let it dry some, otherwise it's too wet and floppy to do anything with. Then I'll do some fleshing, then let it dry more (at least overnight) so I can finish fleshing and removing the membrane, then when it's completely dry, flip it over and scrape the hair off (which takes off the epidermis, too). Then, it can soak in brains overnight, and be worked out soft---and after that, smoked. As you can see, it's a several day process. I usually bring a scraped rawhide out to the fort for demos, so I'm just soaking it in brain solution and working it out. I'll show you what tools you'll need (basically just a scraper) to get started. If you want to read more about the process, here's a couple of books that I've found very useful: www.amazon.com/Blue-Mountain-Buckskin-Dry-Scrape-Brain-Tan/dp/0965867218www.amazon.com/Primitive-Wilderness-Living-Survival-Skills/dp/0967877776Rod |
|
|
|
Post by Leifer on Jun 19, 2012 10:26:40 GMT -7
Thanks for the demonstration and explanation at the Fort on Saturday and Sunday. Looks like in two weeks I'll be able to give things a shot with last year's hide. Thanks also for suggesting those two books. Looks like they'll be here by the end of the week.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rod on Jun 19, 2012 10:38:38 GMT -7
Glad I was able to help---I'm never sure how much 'help' I am sometimes... There's also this website, although the guys on here tend to put in extra steps that usually aren't part of the basic dry-scrape process (i.e., pre-smoking, bucking, etc.): www.braintan.com/On the other hand, many of them do it for a living, and I don't, so their methods obviously work better. Rod |
|
