Fur tanning without chemicals, pt. 1 The bushcraft or Woodsmans method... except I'm a Townie!

How I preserve the furs of animals I have shot, (2 grey squirrels in this video) I have not used any chemicals during this process, it is a natural process using salt & smoke (I have added in how I brain tan a hide too) This process does take some time so if your going to do it start it in the morning.

These furs when finished are very pliable, in part two I will show the smoking process & compare the finished product to bought, commercially tanned fur as a comparison.

I am still learning & am very interested to hear of any ways I can improve on this with out using chemicals such as alum etc. I want to be able to do this while away from home, such as on extended camping trips.

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[SuperApurdy]

so thestuff that ur peeling away is what you want to happen?

[jozzilion]

@SuperApurdy Hi, Yeah, its the membrane & bits of flesh that if left will make the hide stiff & unusable.

[SurefireWoodsman]

Considering how much time, and energy is involved in gathering, cleaning and breaking hides, it seems that some form of preservation (at minimum, egg, brain, oil, smoke) would be worthwhile.

In your experience, if the untreated hide gets wet, does it stay soft after it re dries or do you have to re-brake the hide/fur each time it is exposed to moisture? How long does it take for the fur to slip or the untreated hide to deteriorate or possibly become infected with bugs?

[jozzilion]

@SurefireWoodsman Hi, they are oak smoked & squirrels have a large amount of natural oil in them, a good starter hide some would say.

Eggs.. hmm, to be honest, I've not seen a good one yet, I may be wrong, I have little experience with eggs & hides, brains work though.

If the smoked hides get soaked, a small amount of work, maybe five minutes softens em back up. As for hair slip, I have some now that are going on 8/9 years old & are in excellent condition.. Bugs, what like?

[huntermark1160]

Another method to soften the fur once it has been cleaned is to put the end of a wooden handle from a shovel or something in to a vice. Then gently run the skin side of the fur over the handle. It helps to break the fibers and soften the skin. It saves your hands a little from the work.

[jozzilion]

@huntermark1160 A good piece of advice here, but be careful with the smaller hides using this method, especially at first when they are stiff & dry, they easily tear. Thanks Hunter.

[SuperApurdy]

how do you know when to stop scrapping it with a knife?

[ItsDtownMayn]

@jozzilion yeah i salted mine for a day. its stiff but bendable at the same time. feels quite dry, i dont feel any moisture at all. should i start working it? i trimmed it too. only thing is i accidentally put my knife through the fur and theres a hole but its too stiff to sew.

[jozzilion]

@ItsDtownMayn Yeah, at least 30 minutes, I would double that for a really fine finish. If it is very dry when You start, a quick spray of water can help, working it before its completely dry works well too. I have never used egg so cant comment, but I have done brain tanning which does work.

[ItsDtownMayn]

wow did the math and it took you 30 minutes or so to soften that skin. nice patience man, but i thought most people moisten it with egg and water or something instead of doing it by hand?