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Brain Tanning a Hide — Primitive Leather from Scratch
Every animal has enough brain to tan its own hide. Multi-day process producing soft, supple buckskin for clothing, bags, and shelter.
Advanced
3-5 days
Instructions
1
1
Process Overview
Process Overview
Multi-day process with distinct phases. Each must be completed fully before moving to the next.
Flow
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2
2
Flesh the Hide
Flesh the Hide
Drape over smooth log, flesh side up. Scrape off ALL fat, meat, membrane with dull blade or bone tool. Every bit must go or brain can't penetrate.
Materials for this step:
Animal brain or 3 egg yolks1 piece
Tools needed:
Fleshing tool (dull blade/bone)
Smooth log
3
3
Buck & De-hair
Buck & De-hair
Soak in wood ash lye 2-4 days, stir daily. When hair pulls out easily, scrape off all hair plus the grain layer beneath.
Materials for this step:
Rotten wood for smoking1 bundle
4
4
Brain & Stretch
Brain & Stretch
Mash one brain (or 3 egg yolks) in warm water. Soak hide overnight. Wring on a stick, then stretch continuously as it dries — 2-4 hours of constant work. If any spot dries un-stretched, it goes stiff.
Materials for this step:
Raw hide1 piece
Animal brain or 3 egg yolks1 piece
5
5
Smoke
Smoke
Sew into a bag shape, suspend over smudge fire (rotten wood). Smoke 1-2 hours until golden-tan throughout. This makes it washable — unsmoked brain tan reverts to rawhide when wet.
Materials for this step:
Raw hide1 piece
Animal brain or 3 egg yolks1 piece
Rotten wood for smoking1 bundle
Materials
4PriceSteps
- 1 piecePlaceholder45
- 1 piecePlaceholder245
- 2 literssPlaceholder
- 1 bundlePlaceholder35
Tools Required
2PriceSteps
- Placeholder2
- Placeholder2
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