Thank you so much. I found a fawn roadside just after it was hit. I just couldn't leave it there like that. So I brought it home. I appreciate your time and wisdom. So many videos go too far or not far enough in demonstration. This video was right on. Gratitude!
As an avid hunter for the past 45 years and one that has tand many hides with commercial kits, I thank you sir for taking the time to produce this wonderful three part series. I have just come across your channel and subbed. Cheers from Australia... ps. Love the dog...
As always, I'm always impressed with the information I hear. That last bit of information about braining the hide immediately was priceless information. You always include bits of information, like that, that everyone else leaves out. Thanks Dave!
I truly enjoyed this series. Thanks for sharing all you do with those who are interested. I watched some natives use a type of bone scraper to soften their hides. It seemed to work really good I think it was a front leg bone from a deer. .
Thank you David....this was an awesome series. Although I have known about brain tanning and such ever since I was a kid and had great interest in it it have never done it or seen it done. I really appreciate all of your hard work. You are the standard....you are the bar.
hello, merry charismas for you and your family, I will give you one way that was used before in the western Arab tribes (Bedouin), just take your hide after you flesh it, just remove the big fat and meat pieces and if you want to keep hair you can keep it, while it is very wet lay it on the ground and cover it with soft dry soil and step on it till it dry, you will be amazed with the results, we were building big tents out of these hides long time ago using this way. even the soil will color it depends on the soil color, white brown dark brown ...etc thanks
Nice job, Dave. Appreciate you putting out this effort. One thing, and forgive me if it's been asked already... Have you tried roping the hides to expedite the drying process? I've used this method for years and have gotten decent results. I typically break and stretch my hides over a post and then move to roping them until bone dry. Super helpful on larger hides. Took all day (sun up to sun down) on an elk hide one year. 😳
Thanks Dave. I will probably not ever tan any animal, but just to have the knowledge is great. You are a fantastic teacher and I admire you sharing the skills with the rest of us.
Thanks Dave great series and a tremendous teaching series you do on so many topics! Your awesome my man thanks so much for all you give to your fellow man!
My question is after smoking it when you use it for clothing wouldnt the camp fire smell be left in the hair and kind of hinder you if you used the garment while hunting?
Crazy coincidence looking up how to brain tan a hide after skimming over 3 different videos I end up on this series realizing on part 2 you're the same guy that wrote the book I just read, Bushcraft 101. Wow you're a really awesome guy and I deeply appreciate your work. Thank you!
Ever tried a tannin tanning? Once saw a cool article on using an ember to make a bowl in a cut off tree stump(oak) and keeping it filled with water and oak chips(for added tannin) and using it for making leather.
Do you still prefer to use the breaking stick method with something as large as a deer hide? Or do you leave it in the stretcher, as shown in Brian Manning's tanning video, and break it with somewhat of a carved boat oar?
I started watching your new tanning series ,to see if modern methods made it easier and I want to see if Old school brain tanning was as hard as I remember ? YUP ! ,I helped Brain tan deer hides as a kid ,this video is exactly what I remember. You're not kidding about breaking a hide is an all day job , and it's exhausting ,your hands,arms and shoulders are gonna hurt the next day. Thanks for the memories ,
Was wanting to stretch a deer hide off of a buckeye shot and hang on the wall with a wood frame would I have to do all the softening process still since it was going to be on a wood frame and be stiff and on the wall
Hey Dave, touching on the smoking the hide, what wood would you say works best for a light tan/golden tan color buckskin? Would Hickory or oak work well? or something like Elm?
sir, good job on your hide, been watching my mom tan hide for years, a tip for you on wood choice, dead fall wood lying on the ground, like half rotten/broken down reddish in colour(Canadian), set in a fire pot and let smolder, it does give the hide a strong smell some say, it is a traditional boreal forest method.
Hello David, I had a question, would it be safe for me to do the whole process up to the stretching part and leave the hide in my basement until I can get access to a fire? As in if I leave the stretched hide on a shelf until summer, can I just put it over a fire to smoke it no problem?
Good series, I have been wanting to do a hair on deer hide. I want to make a vest and either chaps or pants. Rufus is always glad to help and just be around you. Good dog!!
So I have a serious question, I don't expect an answer on such an old video but worth a shot. I have several furs I've cured and are ready to be tanned, but after watching these 3 videos on brain tanning, which is the method I'd like to use, I can't help but wonder if it really necessary? For the second video, you break the hide up and make it pliable, and in the tired you smoke it to make it waterproof and keep it flexible. So my question is what does the tanning part really do? Do the other parts not work if you don't tan it first? Or is tanning just for the color? Please advise.
I get the thing about pine being resinous but a quick search seems to indicate that pine punk is fine for smoking with. Is there some other reason for avoiding pine I missed?
I'm going to try brain tanning for the first time and I was wondering if there is a preferred way to store the hide for approximately 8 hours before I can begin scraping. Thoughts?
Great video series. I wanted to do this next time i got a deer but didnt know how. One question though, you mentioned several times that you didnt want the hide to freeze because its cold. Well i live in southeast texas so i dont have that problem but it is pretty hot and humid. How would the heat and humidity affect the process and could it ruin the hide.
I like this series of videos. I believe the beaver pelt was the trappers bread & butter in the late 1800's. Up until beaver felt hats "top hats" went out of style. I think?
Great videos ! Dave in the 18th century long hunters series you talked about having the fire low with as little smoke as possible to remain undetected by possible natives.What methods would be used if smoking was not an option?
My thoughts: Build the fire under a large tree to help disperse the smoke, and use a Dakota fire pit made with the driest wood available [and keep it small!]
Hey Dave, I've seen guys dry small hides with salt, and then do everything else you've shown here. But instead on using brane, he used just slat, it took longer then this would, but for a small hide, would that work?
PLEASE HELP !!! my hide dried too soon I am doing a deer and wondering if I should soak the hide again. and if I do that do I have to re tan it ???? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
Thanks Dave...we look about the same age. Your strategic use of your cheaters I found impressive! And where did you get that coat with shoulder gussets? I've been looking for a coat with them. I will be using your methods this fall. Thanks for the video.
First of all please feed the cute dog Next is that this video is the best among all others I've watched and if I may I would like you to look at us when giving advice Your voice quality is excellent and not confusing and it would be better for us to understand if you just told instructions a little bit more clearly because this video is being watched from all over the world for instance I am a turkish The final request would you mind shooting another video about the brain soaked tanning like you advised in this video if you have already type a link to it below
David I believe you should have brained the hide a second time after you broke it somewhat , then the pores would have opened up to absorb the liquor better than when it was hard and stiff. Then you can break it a last time prior to smoking IMO . Regardless it is very informative for a beginner !
Dave what kind of needle is that? Please be specific, as I've bought two sail needles & neither was quite what I thought it would be. I already found some Havel's curved leather needles at 3Rivers Archery (they bend like a "J" with sharp points, so no need to worry about stabbing your fingers), but I'd also like something like a spike you can get your whole hand around.
***** Thanks. I bought both of the sail needles from your store & one was thick (like a nail or a pen). Is that it? I wouldn't think that would be sharp enough to go through a hide easily- did you sharpen it further?
Time to head to the cabin this week, Dave--it's getting cold. About applying the solution with a fresh skin--Is there another resource that's not water based that might soak in with the oily hide? I'd imagine the water-based solution you're using wouldn't absorb well, but if the brain was mixed with something fat-soluble, it might soak better on a fresh skin. Perhaps warm fat? Liquor maybe? Maybe adding dipolar dope like soap or detergent to the mix would help it mix with fat?
I have 2 brothers that worked for a beef packer in iowa their way to soften hides was to put them in some kind of tumbler and throw in an old pair of tennis shoes or something similar then tumble them for about an hour. much easier than working your arms off .
thanks! what company do you recommend for knives and hatchets? I am a survival enthusiasts and get most of my gear military surplus but haven't found a good edged tool supplier.
Hum, it is easier and faster than normal tanning, but still a pain, ha. I think I will stick to increasing my weaving skills and leave the leather making skills to others. Great videos though. Very informative.
Thank you so much. I found a fawn roadside just after it was hit. I just couldn't leave it there like that. So I brought it home. I appreciate your time and wisdom. So many videos go too far or not far enough in demonstration. This video was right on. Gratitude!
As an avid hunter for the past 45 years and one that has tand many hides with commercial kits, I thank you sir for taking the time to produce this wonderful three part series.
I have just come across your channel and subbed.
Cheers from Australia...
ps. Love the dog...
As always, I'm always impressed with the information I hear. That last bit of information about braining the hide immediately was priceless information. You always include bits of information, like that, that everyone else leaves out. Thanks Dave!
YOU are one hell of a role model my friend. Thank you for teaching self reliance. A trait that is sadly being lost in my generation.
Love these kinds of videos. Very much appreciated.
I truly enjoyed this series. Thanks for sharing all you do with those who are interested. I watched some natives use a type of bone scraper to soften their hides. It seemed to work really good I think it was a front leg bone from a deer. .
9 years later, still priceless info I come back to. Thank you for all your work, Sir.
Thank you David....this was an awesome series. Although I have known about brain tanning and such ever since I was a kid and had great interest in it it have never done it or seen it done. I really appreciate all of your hard work. You are the standard....you are the bar.
Thanks for this series Dave. I've watched my grandad tan many hides and I feel like this is definitely a lost art.
hello, merry charismas for you and your family, I will give you one way that was used before in the western Arab tribes (Bedouin), just take your hide after you flesh it, just remove the big fat and meat pieces and if you want to keep hair you can keep it, while it is very wet lay it on the ground and cover it with soft dry soil and step on it till it dry, you will be amazed with the results, we were building big tents out of these hides long time ago using this way.
even the soil will color it depends on the soil color, white brown dark brown ...etc
thanks
Thank you Dave. I appreciate this series very much.
thanks Dave.... I really enjoyed this series!
Greetings from Coshocton County....another great video Dave...thanks...hope you guys are staying warm!
Thanks God there are people like you that teach so valuable lessons that are lost in our times!
Stay safe and keep having fun!
Another great video, Mr. Canterbury.
Great series thanks Dave! Always wondered how this was done
Thank you, I love that you broke it down step by step
Nice job, Dave. Appreciate you putting out this effort. One thing, and forgive me if it's been asked already... Have you tried roping the hides to expedite the drying process? I've used this method for years and have gotten decent results.
I typically break and stretch my hides over a post and then move to roping them until bone dry.
Super helpful on larger hides.
Took all day (sun up to sun down) on an elk hide one year. 😳
Really well articulated. Nice to see that done right in the field. Cold weather and all. I'm impressed. Thanks.
Thank you for taking the time to make this set of videos Dave!
Thanks Dave. I will probably not ever tan any animal, but just to have the knowledge is great. You are a fantastic teacher and I admire you sharing the skills with the rest of us.
Thanks Dave great series and a tremendous teaching series you do on so many topics! Your awesome my man thanks so much for all you give to your fellow man!
Terrific series, thank you, Dave.
Thanks for taking the time to teach us. Looking forward to each new video
Great demo mate..and thanks for the time to make this video.
Great series on brain tanning. Looks like this is the way I want to go. Thank you!
My question is after smoking it when you use it for clothing wouldnt the camp fire smell be left in the hair and kind of hinder you if you used the garment while hunting?
Crazy coincidence looking up how to brain tan a hide after skimming over 3 different videos I end up on this series realizing on part 2 you're the same guy that wrote the book I just read, Bushcraft 101. Wow you're a really awesome guy and I deeply appreciate your work. Thank you!
Ever tried a tannin tanning? Once saw a cool article on using an ember to make a bowl in a cut off tree stump(oak) and keeping it filled with water and oak chips(for added tannin) and using it for making leather.
thanks for sharing. I am very anxious to learn how to tan a cheap way, and you showed me.
I watched several videos but this is the best.
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome! Everything you teach is what I love!
Excellent series, thanks Dave...
awesome series, very interesting, thank you!
I'm excited ta see it finished..Thanxs again have a great thanksgiving ...
Your videos are fascinating and educational Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Question for you. What type of belt knife do you use, and where can someone purchase one. Thanks. Awesome video series also.
Thanks a lot Dave, I really appreciate your videos.
I watched the whole series and I must say Thank you!
With the amount of time it takes, it really makes you appreciated the 21st century!
Great video, very informative, got to skin my first beaver today and will begin drying out tomorrow. Thank you
awesome video series Dave
Do you still prefer to use the breaking stick method with something as large as a deer hide? Or do you leave it in the stretcher, as shown in Brian Manning's tanning video, and break it with somewhat of a carved boat oar?
I started watching your new tanning series ,to see if modern methods made it easier and I want to see if Old school brain tanning was as hard as I remember ? YUP ! ,I helped Brain tan deer hides as a kid ,this video is exactly what I remember.
You're not kidding about breaking a hide is an all day job , and it's exhausting ,your hands,arms and shoulders are gonna hurt the next day.
Thanks for the memories ,
Great series Dave. I learned a lot.
Dude, I have to say that you're one hell of a man! I really like all of your videos! Keep it up! Your dog is awesome too ;)
Was wanting to stretch a deer hide off of a buckeye shot and hang on the wall with a wood frame would I have to do all the softening process still since it was going to be on a wood frame and be stiff and on the wall
Hey Dave, touching on the smoking the hide, what wood would you say works best for a light tan/golden tan color buckskin? Would Hickory or oak work well? or something like Elm?
sir, good job on your hide, been watching my mom tan hide for years, a tip for you on wood choice, dead fall wood lying on the ground, like half rotten/broken down reddish in colour(Canadian), set in a fire pot and let smolder, it does give the hide a strong smell some say, it is a traditional boreal forest method.
Hello David, I had a question, would it be safe for me to do the whole process up to the stretching part and leave the hide in my basement until I can get access to a fire? As in if I leave the stretched hide on a shelf until summer, can I just put it over a fire to smoke it no problem?
Thanks this was a awesome video I would love to see more of these on different animals thanks again
Good series, I have been wanting to do a hair on deer hide. I want to make a vest and either chaps or pants. Rufus is always glad to help and just be around you. Good dog!!
awesome. awesome. primitive skills. 2 thumbs up, thank you
Thanks Dave something ive always wanted to know. I thought I read somewhere you had to mix a little salt in with the mix?
So I have a serious question, I don't expect an answer on such an old video but worth a shot. I have several furs I've cured and are ready to be tanned, but after watching these 3 videos on brain tanning, which is the method I'd like to use, I can't help but wonder if it really necessary? For the second video, you break the hide up and make it pliable, and in the tired you smoke it to make it waterproof and keep it flexible. So my question is what does the tanning part really do? Do the other parts not work if you don't tan it first? Or is tanning just for the color? Please advise.
Thank you sir for your guidance, I am wanting to tan something with out store bought items. The idea to brain tan is my answer again thank you.
thank you dave
Very good Video! Does brain tanning smell a lot?
Great series Dave. thanks for sharing. How many hours did that beaver take? Thanks
would mesquite work? and when your all done, can you oil it to soften it even more.
Thanks again for this series!
I get the thing about pine being resinous but a quick search seems to indicate that pine punk is fine for smoking with. Is there some other reason for avoiding pine I missed?
Putting that blanket to work!😂
Good vid Dave. The way you continue to improve and evolve is wonderful to watch. Beats the hell out of a rap video! :)
dave, after you smoked your hide and break it again do you smoke it again? all your videos are great so much information keep them coming thx
you r my go to bushcraft/woocraft guy been watchen from the start
can i smoke it with pine/spruce/etc.. leaves instead?
I'm going to try brain tanning for the first time and I was wondering if there is a preferred way to store the hide for approximately 8 hours before I can begin scraping. Thoughts?
Great video series. I wanted to do this next time i got a deer but didnt know how. One question though, you mentioned several times that you didnt want the hide to freeze because its cold. Well i live in southeast texas so i dont have that problem but it is pretty hot and humid. How would the heat and humidity affect the process and could it ruin the hide.
I like this series of videos. I believe the beaver pelt was the trappers bread & butter in the late 1800's. Up until beaver felt hats "top hats" went out of style. I think?
Great videos ! Dave in the 18th century long hunters series you talked about having the fire low with as little smoke as possible to remain undetected by possible natives.What methods would be used if smoking was not an option?
My thoughts: Build the fire under a large tree to help disperse the smoke, and use a Dakota fire pit made with the driest wood available [and keep it small!]
So does the stump your rubbing it against have to be rough? Does it matter whether the surface is smooth or rough?
Hey Dave, I've seen guys dry small hides with salt, and then do everything else you've shown here. But instead on using brane, he used just slat, it took longer then this would, but for a small hide, would that work?
Ha! Ignore previous question on video #1, you answer it in this video. Thanks for sharing your skills!
After applying the brains and letting it sit 24 hours did you rince it in water? Or just start breaking it down?
Many Thanks Dave.
PLEASE HELP !!! my hide dried too soon I am doing a deer and wondering if I should soak the hide again. and if I do that do I have to re tan it ????
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
Dave Canterbury, the true american legend.
Thanks Dave...we look about the same age. Your strategic use of your cheaters I found impressive! And where did you get that coat with shoulder gussets? I've been looking for a coat with them. I will be using your methods this fall. Thanks for the video.
First of all please feed the cute dog
Next is that this video is the best among all others I've watched and if I may I would like you to look at us when giving advice
Your voice quality is excellent and not confusing and it would be better for us to understand if you just told instructions a little bit more clearly because this video is being watched from all over the world for instance I am a turkish
The final request would you mind shooting another video about the brain soaked tanning like you advised in this video if you have already type a link to it below
David I believe you should have brained the hide a second time after you broke it somewhat , then the pores would have opened up to absorb the liquor better than when it was hard and stiff. Then you can break it a last time prior to smoking IMO . Regardless it is very informative for a beginner !
Dave what kind of needle is that? Please be specific, as I've bought two sail needles & neither was quite what I thought it would be. I already found some Havel's curved leather needles at 3Rivers Archery (they bend like a "J" with sharp points, so no need to worry about stabbing your fingers), but I'd also like something like a spike you can get your whole hand around.
Atkrdu www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/sail-needle-10/
***** Thanks. I bought both of the sail needles from your store & one was thick (like a nail or a pen). Is that it? I wouldn't think that would be sharp enough to go through a hide easily- did you sharpen it further?
Atkrdu I'm pretty sure you would need a dowel if your material is that thick. One would generally consider this logical.
Thanks again Dave.
Great as usual Dave. One question, Should you resmoke your hide after awhile?
THANK YOU, AND BLESS YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR FAMILY'S HOUSES.
This is the exact technique I used to turn a brown paper grocery bag into a Native American vest for my son’s kindergarten Thanksgiving project.
Can u salt the hide to dry it out quicker the first time to remove all oils
Time to head to the cabin this week, Dave--it's getting cold. About applying the solution with a fresh skin--Is there another resource that's not water based that might soak in with the oily hide? I'd imagine the water-based solution you're using wouldn't absorb well, but if the brain was mixed with something fat-soluble, it might soak better on a fresh skin. Perhaps warm fat? Liquor maybe? Maybe adding dipolar dope like soap or detergent to the mix would help it mix with fat?
I have 2 brothers that worked for a beef packer in iowa their way to soften hides was to put them in some kind of tumbler and throw in an old pair of tennis shoes or something similar then tumble them for about an hour. much easier than working your arms off .
thanks! what company do you recommend for knives and hatchets? I am a survival enthusiasts and get most of my gear military surplus but haven't found a good edged tool supplier.
Thank you good sir! Much appreciated!
Great vid Dave
Cant wait to try this. Thank you for this video!
Does smoking the hide also deter the dogs (Rufus)?
Great series!
Hum, it is easier and faster than normal tanning, but still a pain, ha. I think I will stick to increasing my weaving skills and leave the leather making skills to others. Great videos though. Very informative.
Thanks Dave
thank you so much sir , i respect your work a hella lot!
Nice video series, what did ya end up making with it? i apologize if you mentioned and i didnt catch it, but it seems it would make a pretty nice hat!
How would you get the oils out of the skin on a fresh kill