Buckskin Question

[arcadia]

I have got 4 bucskins that were tanned at W.B. Place in Hartford, Wisconsin professionally. Question #1 is how can I get them all the beautiful smoke color? Question #2 is how do I get the fold creases out of the hides?

I'v had these squirreled away for a few years and now I'd like to make a frontier type vest or shirt. They are almost white right now but I can't get a straight answer from anyone as to how to color these. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pat Burns

Arcadia Knives

[Luke Hatley]

Beautiful smoke color ???? dont know, But if you are up to expermenting try Rit Dye

in the "Taup color". if you are making frontier clothes dont worry about the wrinlkes.

they will weare out.

[Jim]

Can't say much about dyeing the buckskin except I have done it with Fiebing's and then sealed with Bag Coat. I suggest getting a pump type sprayer to apply the dye.

But first you want to get rid of the folds. That's easy - soak the buckskin in water and wring it out. Then us 12 pennt nails to secure the edges to a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood and stretch it as you nail the edges down. Let it dry and work out any stiffnes. There won't be much, so it won't take much work.

This also takes out a lot of the "stretch" so it will work better for garment making. The dress shown below was made in just such a manner.

Have fun,

Jim

[arcadia]

Thanks Guys! I appreciate the help. I believe that I will experiment a little using both suggestions. There is a taxidermist that will throw the hides in a big tumbler to soften after dyeing. Wasn't too sure how to go about this. Those hides were from deer I shot so I got a lot invested in them not to mention the cost of the tanning.

[terrahyd]

HI Arcadia;;

One thing I might add is to try any thing you do on a small piece not the whole skin ...Doc...

[Jim]

Thanks Guys! I appreciate the help. I believe that I will experiment a little using both suggestions. There is a taxidermist that will throw the hides in a big tumbler to soften after dyeing. Wasn't too sure how to go about this. Those hides were from deer I shot so I got a lot invested in them not to mention the cost of the tanning.

Hold the phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What method was used to tan the hides? If these were tanned by way of Chrome Tanning then you can get away with using Fiebings dye. BUT, if the were brain tanned you can actually smoke the hides to get the desired color.

Just thought I'd throw that your way.

[BuckARoux]

Hold the phone!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What method was used to tan the hides? If these were tanned by way of Chrome Tanning then you can get away with using Fiebings dye. BUT, if the were brain tanned you can actually smoke the hides to get the desired color.

Just thought I'd throw that your way.

absolutely smoke those hides , they are probably alum tanned , the smoke will onlyl help them should they get wet, I soak my hides and stretch them on plywood to get the wrinkles out