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Just wondering how your other projects are coming along. I know you've been really busy with syrup lately. Did your bones come clean yet?
I have about two deer's worth of bones dried on the roof,...

I thought WW posted it, but it was NotSoOldCrone

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/forums/showthread.php?14694-Wee-Un-s-Sgian-Dubh

Looks really cool.

did you see this?
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg184/your_comforting_company/Primitive%20Skills/DSCN2111.jpg

leg bone, split in half and rubbed sharp on a rock, sheathed in some bark-tan....

Cut a big circle (or small one) cut a few slits around the perimeter, and run another leather strap through each, so that it'll bunch up into a little "possibles" pouch, but it'll also open and lay...

I've just read back over this whole thread while finishing up hand-softening a buckskin. This is really great. Can we make it a sticky?

RWC. It's tanned. Store it anywhere, and anyhow you like...

Awesome job! Those look Fantastic!! Beautifully marbled and rich in color. Really outstanding my friend!

The oiled one, is that just canola oil? That's a really nice red. Love it!!

A heavy oiling after you cut your pattern will help keep rust away, but you have to oil the leather often. Don't let me talk you out of anything you want to do! Do it and experiment and learn....

I really can't tell any difference.. Ok.. yote is going in bark tan. We'll find out if it does or not ;)

any time you want to take a break from stretching it, just bag it and set it somewhere cool. No problem at this point.

*I'd recommend using the neck for the sheath. cut it off now and mold it so...

Have you decided what finish you'll go for?
staked will loosen it a little as it dries, or you can mold it or texture it or roll it, or...

Really excellent notes on that timeline! I wish I had those kind of organizational skills!

While rinsing, you say "I don't think you'll ever get it all clear" and I do believe you are correct,...

OH WOW!

That is BEAUTIFUL!!

I'm glad you waited brother, that is amazing!!

I might just throw this coyote in some bark tan and see how it turns out in live oak!

RWC, colgate, or fels naptha is preferrable, but if you have some gentle bathsoap like Dove, or Ivory, that'll work just fine. The soap isn't that important as long as it isn't a harsh degreaser,...

Wtf?? Mods!!!

The second pic definately looks darker all the way through, compared to the pictures above from day 26. I'm not sure about what colors that bark will impart, but that might be it. I can definately...

I'd like to see that knife after it's been stained :D

You're talking about ice and I was outside today stretching a wet skin with no shirt on... and I was sweating!

I've personally not had a problem with limes being left in, and since you rinsed in the creek I doubt if yours had much either, but still good info. I rinse and squeegee a few times before going in....

I suppose it's possible to get too strong, but at this point, I would say it's highly unlikely. There should be enough inside for it to tan on out.

As long as it doesn't smell rotten, it's okay....

I think it's going great. You might have to put some straight bark in there to finish up. Looks like it's pretty close to the center to me, but like you said, it's hard to tell in a pic. The middle...

I have not tried to remove the hair and grain from squirrels. I have heard the same thing about graining them, CS. Might be time for me (us) to do some more experimenting ;)

@RWC, Thanks for the...

Bark tan furs are typically done with extracts, alum and salt in order to preserve the color of the furs. Our bark tan here has stains in it that will very likely discolor the fur. Quebracho extract...

You're getting real close. Remember there's still the first pouring which will be your strongest and it should finish coloring the hide. It's very much possible that some of the minerals from the...

Yep. Pour out about half of your current bath, but save it. It'll be a good start-out liquor for the next skin. I keep two buckets of bathwater, one is weak for starting hides, and the other is super...

This is the check I just did. It lacks about 1/8" in the very center to be struck through, notice it's dark on the outside of the cross section, but only slightly mis-colored in the center. While it...

No, that's not a hide in there.. It's the mold that grows on top. This liquor is about 2 years old, +/- a month....