Deer Hide Tanning: Salt and Borax Method

[@blainenelson2319]

Great to see a good result using what you have available. Good to see First Nations/Native Americans keeping traditions alive

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

I didn't even realize I was native American, in till 2 years after I made this video. I suspected, but I didn't know. I'm currently on the path to learning about my ancestors, and the lost ways. I guess my soul knew who I was before I did, lol. Thank you for your comment. Makes me realize I was hearing their guidance all along, with out knowing it.

[@Hy-Brasil]

@@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699 some things are genetic lol

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

You got that right. When your soul knows who you are, there is no changing it.

[@baileyfry]

@@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699im native and instantly knew u where native aswell maybe cherokee or choctaw

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

@@baileyfry nailed it! Absolutely the Cherokee is strong with me!

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Looks fine. I just did a hide last week. I did use Borax. Thanks and take care.

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

You are very welcome! Best of luck to you!

[@graceylake7388]

Thank you so much for this video. Trying this for the first time in my 24 years. Husband got a big doe yesterday hide came off amazing. Do I have to wash the fur ?

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

Yes! It's got oils in it that can turn the hide, and make the hair slip. Also pieces of meat and blood are still in the hide, which needs to be removed or the hide will rot. Washing the hide, is a nessesity step in tanning. I'm glad you found my video helpful! Best of luck with your hide!

[@haleyforbes1938]

Did you have to stretch it? How did you keep it from shrinking

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

I tacked it to a board. Yes it does shrink but not bad. As long as you keep the hide moving, (flexing, bending, stretching, rubbing) the hide fibers with break apart giving the hide a very soft and plyable feeling. Native Americans use smoke tanning and drying. The smoke help to beak the hide fibers with out the need to stretch it as much. As long as you keep the hide moving, it shouldn't shrink up on you very much.

[@lacywolfe3885]

What kind of oil?

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

You can use mink or neats foot oil

[@spookshow6999]

Thank you so much for this video. Man I almost got all the fat off. I froze it till I can pull it back out.

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

If you let the fat thaw, you can put it through a meat grinder, and put it on the stove on low heat to cook down. You can render your oil, to make soap, salves, candles, leather conditioner, axle grease and cast iron pot seasoning! I have a video on my channel all about rendering your own tallows! Be sure to check it out!

[@groverbundy899]

Lol the greeting from the deer head

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

Yep... And his nose got booped, a few times, lol.

[@sethstatler8480]

I have shrunken boots from brine water and need them rehydrated please help. Please

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

It's hard to know how to help, with out knowing the exact type of booth in question is. Shiney boots, or rough out boots, there may not be a way to fix it, with out damaging them badly. But for top grain or full grain booths, you can soak them in warm or hot water to loosen the hide, then put them on, and wear them till they are dry. After that, polish them with a high quality boot leather polish and water proof them. That should help get you by for a while. Brines have a way of destroying boots, so be prepared for them to rip or tear out in the near future. Sorry this happens to ya.

[@7foldfarm]

What is the best way to rehydrate a hide that is stiff?

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

Oil and rubbing it. You can lightly spray it with a water bottle, and throw it in a dryer with a bunch of tennis balls. Beating the hide and constant movement is how tanneries get their hides so soft. They also use a tanning oil in the flesh side of the hide. You can prevent the hides from getting stuff if you pull them off the boards just before they are nearly dry, apply oil to them, then stretch/break them in. I use a combination of these, to get my hides soft. It's not tannery soft, but it is playable and easy workable.

[@7foldfarm]

Ok, thanks! I'll have to try that!

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

Best of luck!

[@7foldfarm]

Thanks

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

You are very welcome!

[@johnpezzella4891]

How long do you leave the borax on for?

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

As soon as the borax or salt feels wet, you should immediately take it all off, and reapply a fresh coating. When the hide is completely dry it will be ok to remove the salt and borax, as all the bad bacteria that can ruin your hide, will be removed. If the salt and borax sticks to the hide in places, you can use a damp rag to help remove it. Just leave the hide to air dry over night, and you will be able to use the hide in any projects you wish to create with out any problems. If you want to soften the hide, you can use a light coating of warm meats foot oil, on the flesh side of the hide, and work it in with your hands. You can also throw it in the dryer on low heat, with tennis balls, to help soften the hide up even more. There are lots of ways to tan a hide, you just gotta pick the style that works best for you. One of these days, I will make a video on how to quickly tan a hide, but until I learn to do it myself in a way I'm satisfied with, this is the method I prefer to use. I hope this answers your questions.

[@j_doodle2008]

Is it not supposed to be rolled the other way?

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

When a hide is drying, the flesh side must be exposed. If rot happens, it will appear on the flesh side, before the hair slips. If the wet flesh is trapped against the board, you can't see what's happening, and you can't remove the wet and soiled salt. So the hide must lay flesh side out, so it can dry and breath, with out being matted and stuck to the board. It just works out so much better that way.

[@jaysaw8151]

What about the hair side what did you do for it??

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

Other than washing, and brushing, you don't do anything to the hair side. The flesh side is where the rot and bacteria is gonna grow. As long as you treat the flesh side well, you won't need to do anything with the hair side.

[@jaysaw8151]

@@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699 its cured but stuff as a board fur looks real good

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

@@jaysaw8151 when I finished my hides, they were not stiff at all. They are quite soft and playable, almost like a factory tanning job, unlike what most people achieve right after they pull the hide off a board. Although, stiff hides are much easier to work with, if you are making hair on filigree leather craft projects, as they don't stretch or move around as much, when you have sew it into place.

[@philjohnston7920]

clamp the hide to the table would make your life easier.

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

Like I said, I was unprepared and had no access to good tools. I used what I had, and sometimes that's all most people have. Now, if I had a power washer, this could have been done in minutes, and would have been tons easier, but again, you use what you got. I had knowledge, a knife blade, and a table. It still beats stone tools, and sticks!!!

[@graceylake7388]

Why do you tack it on the board

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

Prevents it from shrinking, and curling. The hide needs to dry, and it can't dry properly when it's curled up. Tacking it, is a way to keep it as large as possible, and as flat as possible, giving you the best product you can make, and giving you the most useable material for your efforts.

[@thy_call_me_karma8469]

I put a full bird corpse on a bowl of salt and borax how long do it needs to stay

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

You must gut your animal. The guts will rot the skin, if you don't. Skin should be dry before removing it.

[@chrisweaver2143]

Just because I have a shovel available don’t mean I’m gonna build a swimming pool with it. Just saying …. A knife . Really!

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

I've seen people make swimming pools by digging the earth with their bare hands. I've also seen people make axes out of rubbed rocks to chop down trees to build houses with. If you have a shovel to build a pool with, you are more blessed than those with out. If you want to do something bad enough, you will adapt and use the tools you got, to the best of your ability. I had a knife, which frankly is much easier to work with than a stone tool is. Both are capable of doing a decent job, but a knife is a better tool, and I am thankful I had it! Ya know, it makes me a little sad that you choose to negatively look down at me, for doing something I enjoy in the best way I can do it, while simultaneously discouraging others who only want to learn. If you want to be helpful, I would appreciate some positivity and encouragement, instead of condescending judgement simply for doing something differently than you do.

[@Taxidermist47]

Salt and Borax does not tan a deer hide

[@chrisweaver2143]

1st of all a knife !!?? Folks spend $25 buy a fleshing tool . This difference is 45mins a hide . Next put the hide in a square vice and tie the hide every 2/3 inches with dental floss or fishing string . Last use tanning hide oil to cure the hide . This lady’s method is way unnecessary and will cause you way more work .

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

Duly noted! You are correct, I didn't have a fleshing knife, not do I have a set up. I was happy I had something, which is better than what most people have. If you really want a fast fleshing job, you would be better off getting a pressure washer. You can flesh a hide beautifully in minutes, no scrape marks, and it's much faster than a fleshing too. But again, all I had at the time was a knife. Sometimes you gotta learn to adapt and use what you got. Things happen, and not always will you have all the tools you need at the time a job needs to be done. So you adapt. It's not the best, but it works if that is all you have, and that's what this video is about.

[@riseagainstthezombie]

Talk so much and still skip steps , so ridiculous 🙄

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

I'm pretty sure I didn't skip any steps. Is there something specific you need? If so, I'm happy to answer your questions.

[@Rockcandyvirus]

That’s kindve rude to say. She’s still training herself and to me this is pretty impressive and I’ve been tanning and skinning animals for years. 🙄

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

@@Rockcandyvirus thank you. I've only tanned 3 hides, and with out any tanning tools. I'm absolutely self taught, so I am totally a beginner. I just wanted to show people that with a tiny bit of knowledge, and crude tools, you can still be successful. Its certainly not the worst job, but from here, it can definitely get better. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that gets better with experience, which I'm highly lacking, lol. Lots of ways to tan a hide out there, and they all work!

[@Rockcandyvirus]

@@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699 I’m self taught as well! ☺️ And in my eyes I believe you’re doing great! Ignore the haters out there. You’re doing great.

[@basichomesteadingandsurviv3699]

@@Rockcandyvirus Thank you very much! I'm here to learn just like everyone else. If you know of anything I can do better, please let me know! Best of wishes to you my friend!