Do any of you tan deer/boar skins as rugs/throws? Early season fallow sometimes have fantastic spotted coats and I've considered curing one next season. Something tells me this isn't suited to a 4th floor London flat but I will find out and report back.

Thinking of using this kit - any experiences?

http://www.snowdoniasupplies.c...n/larger.pl?ref=CP06

Glad to see some pics of the finished product.

I've often thought about doing this too...awaiting a knowledgeable reply with bated breath!

Whew! You opened a Can of Worms!

I've tried some home-made remedies and they aren't very "User Friendly" unless you, 1) live in the country, 2) have a garage or workshed where 2a) your wife deosn't go; or 2b) neighbors don't walk close by.

Without going into the gory details if your Kit does what it claims to do - fantastic. Buy one & try it.

The issue with Deer & Caribou is they have very hollow hair folicles and "shrinking" the leather to hold the hair can be an issue.

If it's just leather (especially drumheads) you want - most all recipies work; if it's soft leather you want them that's another Kettle of Fish, too.

Good Luck with your project.

Maybe this is something I'll keep as a project in the deer larder or on the balcony in good weather.

A stretched out hide on a drying board would look nice for the neighbours.

For leather the traditional indian method here in the USA was to soak the hide in water+ashes to remove hair. Then there is a process to knead the hide with brains.Stretching and working the leather ,though labor intensive , will produce a strong yet soft leather.Tell your wife it's good exercise !!

We have a tannery that accepts Deer pelts here in the SW.

Comes back beautifully prepared for about £25.

For the few I would require, I'm wondering if it is worth the effort of DIY.

Rgds Ian

i use one down your way Ian
possibly the same fella
all he asks , is i skin them fresh and salt them twice before i send one to him,
for the price it don't seem worth the time or effort trying to do it DIY
there also is a place up cambridge way , mainly does sheep but now doing deer and foxes aswell
never used them but told they are good but a little more expensive

Ah, the instant gratification generation....

Boggie,

do you guys get "dirty jobs" with Mike Row in the UK?

There is but two shows that have him toss his cookies,

one in a tannery and the other one when he is making chum from rank tuna.

That sort of speaks volymes.

My dear father did about five fox pelts one year, that was all he ever did and we had the space and room for it on the farm.

After that even he sent the pelts out.

Best regards Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Boghossian:
Ah, the instant gratification generation....

Yep - and no guilt what-so-ever!

In life, there is an easy way and a hard way to do things. Commonsense indicates keeping your eye firmly on the desired result!

I desire gorgeous pelts that show the detail of whichever pelage the deer happened to be wearing. I want to see that for years to come.

Whilst wanting a practical knowledge of all things countryside related, if I require my fish 'mongered' - I now go to the appropriate person!

Rgds Ian

A paste made from baking soda and diesel works really well.

Skin your beast, deflesh the hide as much as you can without damaging it, spread your diesel and baking soda paste over the hide and leave in the shade or the garage for up to two weeks depending upon thickness of the hide, scrape off paste and repeat. Scape off paste and wash hide in cool water and pure soap flakes. Leave to dry and you have your rug/wall hanging/throw.

What ratio of diesel/soda do you us?

You want something that resembles a thick pancake mixture. Thin enough to work over the hide with a brush but thick enough to stick where you put it and not run off to the low spots.

If all you want is a wall hanging then you need nothing more than to stretch the hide out on a wall, completely deflesh and allow it to dry. Some like to heavily salt with non iodized salt first but I think this just makes the job a bit nastier. When the hide is dry, trim the hide to shape and hang where you want it, hair side out.

Flyboy.270 has his first Deer skin cured at home, It's a very good job, Don't know who did it for him but I would certainly use whoever it was!, It's a really beautiful job, no odour ,no hair loss.! Totally fixed!