[ocalhoun]

So, I've been thinking this would be a good skill to have... not only in a survival situation, but also everyday, so I could make custom leather products for myself at low cost... Perhaps even sell some for a profit.
(Gun holsters, clothing additions, horse tack, et cetera)

But, I only have the foggiest notion of how to do it.
Any good resources out there to give an instruction in it?
(One that starts with 'remove hide from critter', if possible. ^.^)
I'd also like to know how to do it with only naturally available materials.

I'm particularly interested in oak/vegetable tanning, since I understand that (only) leather tanned this way can be shaped and formed, and made to hold that form. (I understand that process pretty well, but don't know how to make the raw material (leather) for it.)


Also, in my area, there are many rabbits, deer, and elk... rarely also bears and mountain lions; also buffalo, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats can be found if I look in the right places.
Could anybody fill me in on the properties and advantages/disadvantages of those various hides? That would help me decide what critter to start with for any given project.

 

[roro]

So, I've been thinking this would be a good skill to have... not only in a survival situation, but also everyday, so I could make custom leather products for myself at low cost... Perhaps even sell some for a profit.
(Gun holsters, clothing additions, horse tack, et cetera)

But, I only have the foggiest notion of how to do it.
Any good resources out there to give an instruction in it?
(One that starts with 'remove hide from critter', if possible. ^.^)
I'd also like to know how to do it with only naturally available materials.

I'm particularly interested in oak/vegetable tanning, since I understand that (only) leather tanned this way can be shaped and formed, and made to hold that form. (I understand that process pretty well, but don't know how to make the raw material (leather) for it.)


Also, in my area, there are many rabbits, deer, and elk... rarely also bears and mountain lions; also buffalo, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats can be found if I look in the right places.
Could anybody fill me in on the properties and advantages/disadvantages of those various hides? That would help me decide what critter to start with for any given project.

Amazon.com: Deerskins Into Buckskins: How To Tan With Natural Materials, a Field Guide for Hunters and Gatherers (9780965867245): Matt Richards, Richards Matt: Books

-- I have the book above & it's really great. It tells you how to do various natural methods of tanning hides, using old-school techniques, like the Native Americans used to do it. You use the animal's brains, eggs, soap, etc. It tells you how to remove the skin, how to cut it & takes you step by step through everything. The books below I haven't looked at, but they're all about tanning & furs... So figured they would be worth looking at.

Amazon.com: The Ultimate Guide to Skinning and Tanning: A Complete Guide to Working with Pelts, Fur, and Leather (9781585746705): Monte Burch: Books

Amazon.com: Tan Your Hide!: Home Tanning Leathers & Furs (9780882661018): Phyllis Hobson: Books

Amazon.com: The Complete Book of Tanning Skins and Furs (9780811717199): James E. Churchill: Books

Amazon.com: Home Book of Taxidermy and Tanning (9780811722599): Gerald Grantz: Books

 

[Illini Warrior]

Add Shoe Making & Repair Info Also

If you plan on prepping for leather ...... a cousin companion is to learn a bit on shoe making ....... probably going to be the most in demand occupation post SHTF .....

 

[wootie]

If you want to practice without a lot of expence get some dog rawhide chewtoys. Soak in water overnight and you have a small piece of rawhide you can tan. Not quite as messy as starting with pelts.

 

[AK Karl]

Here is a good link to explain the process.

http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/tanninghides.pdf