Bull's Pizzle

[rawhide1]

Hi Mike,

Pleased to hear it was successful. Did you use alum at all? It might be worth applying some neatsfoot before sealing it with shellac or varnish.

John

John

I didn't use alum I just hung it from the shed rafters with a concrete block on the end for weight. I'll try and get a picture up.

Mike

[rawhide1]

John

Here's a couple of pictures. Like I said I haven't sanded it or anything else yet. You can see where it shrunk from the wire. I'm not real happy with how it turned out but it's my own fault for not staying after it. I think the next one I try will be from a young bull this one was from a big old bull.

I plan on sanding it down and using it for a putter handle or possibly a couple of quirt handles.

Mike

[Tawse]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the pics - I am impressed. I think that the age of the animal must have a major effect on the finished product. Did you wash it in brine or some form of sterilizing solution before starting? Did you use alum at any point? Here is a pic of another Victorian Pizzle - its rather like flexible bone.

Good luck with the next one

John

Here's a couple of pictures. Like I said I haven't sanded it or anything else yet. You can see where it shrunk from the wire. I'm not real happy with how it turned out but it's my own fault for not staying after it. I think the next one I try will be from a young bull this one was from a big old bull.

I plan on sanding it down and using it for a putter handle or possibly a couple of quirt handles.

Mike

[rawhide1]

John

I didn't wash it in anything or use alum at any point. I do believe this would be somewhat flexible if I hadn't inserted the rod. I would like to learn more on this so this is a welcome discussion. I would be very interested in knowing your results when you get one done.

Thanks, MIke

[jimsaddler]

John

I didn't wash it in anything or use alum at any point. I do believe this would be somewhat flexible if I hadn't inserted the rod. I would like to learn more on this so this is a welcome discussion. I would be very interested in knowing your results when you get one done.

Thanks, MIke

Hi Mike

to get an effective dry you must salt the Pizzle to draw the Blood out of it. Also the Tissue mus be scraped off entirely as it drys as it will dry and pull the whole thing hap-hazardly as it can be seen from your picture. The wire core is to maintain a backbone for good shape. Old Bulls are the best if prepared properly, young dry away to nearly nothing (inexperience I suppose). The Twist is done early in the process, 2 or 3 wires are used for best effect. To scrape the Tissue away a piece of broken Glass is very good. THE TISSUE MUST BE REMOVED AS IS DONE IN ANY LEATHER OR RAWHIDE PREPARATION!

I hope this helps, I'll try to remember to get a few Pizzles after my big Fishing Trip and do them to jog my Memory as its now 30 years since I last produced them.

Kindest regards.

Jim Saddler.

[rawhide1]

Hi Mike

to get an effective dry you must salt the Pizzle to draw the Blood out of it. Also the Tissue mus be scraped off entirely as it drys as it will dry and pull the whole thing hap-hazardly as it can be seen from your picture. The wire core is to maintain a backbone for good shape. Old Bulls are the best if prepared properly, young dry away to nearly nothing (inexperience I suppose). The Twist is done early in the process, 2 or 3 wires are used for best effect. To scrape the Tissue away a piece of broken Glass is very good. THE TISSUE MUST BE REMOVED AS IS DONE IN ANY LEATHER OR RAWHIDE PREPARATION!

I hope this helps, I'll try to remember to get a few Pizzles after my big Fishing Trip and do them to jog my Memory as its now 30 years since I last produced them.

Kindest regards.

Jim Saddler.

Mr. Saddler

That would be great to see some you've done. I do appreciate all your valuable input. I'm just hoping I can devote the time needed to correctly do the next one.

Thanks again, Mike

[Tawse]

Hi Mike,

I regret to say that I am no longer in a position to prepare pizzles due to living circumstances. I look forward to Jim taking up the art again. I initially did mine whilst working in Africa which has quite a different climate to te UK.

Best wishes,

John

That would be great to see some you've done. I do appreciate all your valuable input. I'm just hoping I can devote the time needed to correctly do the next one.

Thanks again, Mike

[big10mm]

I have a bison pizzle that has been rodded, stretched, dried, scraped and sanded. When and how is the alum mixed and applied? How long should the alum be left on? Is the alum used for pickling the same as alum used for tanning?