Leatherworking is a survival skill that allows one to create beautifully hand-crafted products that are both functional and highly attractive. An engraved knife sheath, an elegant satchel, a pragmatic pouch – all can be easily fashioned from leather. The sustainability mindset that encourages a hunter to not waste any part of animal suggests that one gain the skills necessary to utilize all parts. To that end, working with leather provides an avenue for a tactile, hands-on connection with the surrounding environment while utilizing the full potential of an animal. Trade skills, in general, are being lost as tradition fades in many parts of the country. Keeping the art of leatherworking alive is important since it is largely passed down from […]
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Tanning Hides
Posted: 24th November 2010 by admin in Hunting & Trapping, Leather Working, Wilderness SurvivalTags: Tanning Hides
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Tanning Hides The Indians Tanned hides in several ways and by different substances according to the tribe. It is always well to keep in mind that Indian tribes were different and that many of them had their own style of doing things. Indian buckskin is NOT tanned at all. It is just worked soft. A fresh skin is immediately soaked in water for several days, usually from 3 to 6. Sometimes the hair is cut off, or at least as much as possible. A lye made of wood ashes is used for removing the hair from the pelts of elk & moose (not necessary on deer) In some cases the ashes are sprinkled on the hair, rubbed in, and then […]