Have a perfect hide - shot the deer through the head. I scraped it pretty good while raw, then tacked it to plywood and applied 20 Mule Team Borax. Now I want to tan it using brain process. Have i ruined the hide by using the 20 Mule Team Borax ? Can I wet the hide just enought to accept the brain solution and proceed ?
Brain Tanning Deer Hide
- Thread starter Hondohon
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birdshot8's
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your preperation sounds adequate. i do similiar. to make the solution, i steep the brains, heating short of a boil. strain the water to remove the solid matter and mix with a couple of gallons of warm water not to hot. i fill 5 gallon bucket about 1/2 way. i then completely immerse and work the hide into the bucket until it is completely soaked. now the hard part. you have to keep the hide moving until it is completely dry. the cloths dryer will work if you have a no heat setting. it works better when the lady of the house is out.
Thanks for this advice. I have read to cook the brains, put in blender, make a paste then rub it into both sides of the hide and roll it up. So you are saying, boil the brains and the ingredients for tanning are now in the steeped water and only that water gets added to the 5 gal bucket. Question: How long does it stay in the bucket before the drying starts ? i always wondered about the mess it would be to be rubbing brain paste on the skin then having to wash it off after 5 or 7 days. Really appreciate the advice. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Brain tanning
Probably doing the reply wrong. oh well, suppose i'll find out if Birdshot8 gets it.
Thanks for this advice. I have read to cook the brains, put in blender, make a paste then rub it into both sides of the hide and roll it up. So you are saying, boil the brains and the ingredients for tanning are now in the steeped water and only that water gets added to the 5 gal bucket. Question: How long does it stay in the bucket before the drying starts ? i always wondered about the mess it would be to be rubbing brain paste on the skin then having to wash it off after 5 or 7 days. Really appreciate the advice. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Probably doing the reply wrong. oh well, suppose i'll find out if Birdshot8 gets it.
Thanks for this advice. I have read to cook the brains, put in blender, make a paste then rub it into both sides of the hide and roll it up. So you are saying, boil the brains and the ingredients for tanning are now in the steeped water and only that water gets added to the 5 gal bucket. Question: How long does it stay in the bucket before the drying starts ? i always wondered about the mess it would be to be rubbing brain paste on the skin then having to wash it off after 5 or 7 days. Really appreciate the advice. Looking forward to hearing from you.
birdshot8's
Member
the first couple of times i did the brain tanning i made the paste, but later i read where the some used a tea. i also throw in some oak bark to stain the hide, disguises the blemishes. i leave it in the tea for a couple of hours.
CSA 357
Member
is there a easyer way, im not to crazy about messing with the brain, is cwd still going strong?
Cranky CJ
Member
there is a solution available on the market for tanning (don't know the name). i purchased some at sportsmans warehouse several years ago to tan a deer hide. i salted the hide, scraped it clean (long process but you have to get it all off) and applied the solution. folded the hide over itself by half and let it set for a period of time. came out well. has been hanging as the back drop to a octogon bow rack i made. anyway, thats what I did.
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