This workshop is to teach you how to tan deer hides or other larger hides to a soft brain tanned smoked buckskin.

This is a no hair or fur method of tanning hides the old way

We will scrape rawhide skins to prepare them for the absorption of the tanning solution, (animal brains or lecithin), and then working the solution into the hides. After lunch we will begin the process of softening the hide as it starts to dry and soften the leather. This is a very labor-intensive process, but once completed, is a very satisfying skill to learn. Once softened and dried, we hang up the hides with a fan in front to ensure the hides are completely dry over the night.

Note: This is a lengthy process and is often followed by those that have taken the FUR tanning workshop so that the student already has an idea of the amount of work that goes into creating this superior type of leather.

Due to the nature of the work involved, we do not recommend younger children take this workshop.

The next day, we will show you what to look for and gather the wood for smoking the hides. We will smoke all the hides, so they are finished.

Students will be given hand out notes to take home so they can refer back to what they have learned for doing their own hides.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM OUR WORKSHOPS

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