Freeze Tanning {INCREDIBLE Technique for Tanning Rabbit Hides}

Learn this great technique for tanning rabbit hides, Freeze Tanning. I show you how to tan rabbit hides and the different techniques I use to tan furs. I’ll also give you my egg yolk recipe for fur dressing, teach you to know how and when your hide is ready for dressing and show you the different stages of hide tanning.
00:00 Tanning Furs, Introduction
00:48 Freeze Tanning Technique Explained
01:58 First Thing to Do
03:34 One Hour Later
04:41 Cable Technique
05:35 How to Know Hide is Ready for Dressing
06:16 Egg Yolk Fur Dressing
07:44 Softening Techniques
08:21 Hides in Different Stages
10:09 Final Step: Smoking Hides
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#FreezeTanning #HowToTanARabbitHide #TanningFurs
#HowToTanHides #GoodSimpleLiving
I'm Woniya Thibeault and my channel aims to provide educational and inspirational videos about wild foods, survival, ancestral, homestead and off-grid living skills (hide tanning, basketry, handcrafts, and more) travel and wilderness adventures, and ecology; and to help people feel more capable, engaged and connected.

[@marceybadillo1618]

I’m 58 and I love to see an older young woman show us such knowledge, thank you for sharing your experience

[@donbloomer8083]

My grandmother told me that when she was a little girl in Michigan, (about 125 years ago), they still had to do laundry even if it was below zero outside. The sheets would quickly freeze stiff as a board. They would then be brought inside to thaw so they could be folded. She said the sheets dried like this were always the very softest sheets for your bed. I am guessing the same sublimination you talked about were the reason.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Very cool- yes, that makes sense

[@leesvision]

That is very interesting i might have to try this sometime. I've done alum powder and salt the hide actually has to wet for this process, the alum and salt are made into a paste and put on the gut side, then put in a airtight plastic bag for about a month then washed off. It works, gives a perl white color on the flesh side. But im intresed in learning other methods too

[@glorbojibbins2485]

Interesting

[@Raspukek-fu8un]

yo grandmodda whot? like 150 years old or whot blyat xddd

[@CChissel]

I had never known this was a technique that would work, but it does make sense. Thanks for always being so helpful and educational!

[@miguelgamas1]

Great video. Keep them coming, thank you.

[@abigailspratlin-glamocic7469]

Very interesting and informative

[@inkedoutmiss]

Hi, thanks for this video. It’s helped a lot. Can I ask how many times you did the freezer/egg mix?

[@TipsyFlipper]

this is the best of the tanning videos! Great job explaining what to look for and the feel. Thank you!

[@user-ji1se4mj3k]

ممكن تكتب الخطوات لوسمحت حته اسطيع ترجمه الكتابه للعربي

[@rodneyreiter4026]

Very good thank you. Rabbit skins are very useful.

[@flora1407]

You’re an absolute legend

[@varun009]

Brushing the hairs while the hide is drying really helps expell the water from the undercoat. Just a little tip I learned while dyeing hydes. A fine tooth comb works better for the initial passes but you have to move to a brush to bring air into the fur. Also makes it so that you don't have to "break" the hide again after dyeing. Finally, try dyeing!! Dyeing fur is really fun because it's not just for white pelts. If anything, "natural" colored furs take dye in very interesting ways. Eg, the hide of a Chinchilla/Chinchilla rex rabbit can be dyed shades of burnt orange to castor for some beaver-looking pelts! The natural color variation adds depth of field and an iridescence to the tone. Silver fox rabbit pelts can be dyed so that the white tips are any color you want! Use fabric dye as I've found hair Dyes to be quite finjickey.

[@rootsAlkebu]

I’m thinking to try elderberries to dye. Thanks for encouragement.

[@varun009]

@@rootsAlkebu you're most welcome, but I would avoid natural dyes as they're not as colorfast as some of the synthetic ones. Moreover, to get a good stain with elderberries, you have to boil the tanins out first and excess heat and prolonged exposure to moisture can de-tan the hide, to be quick and careful. If all else fails, rit dye is indespensible.

[@rootsAlkebu]

@@varun009 🙏🏾

[@michaelsadventures4261]

You're amazing.

[@ferhatarman885]

after smoke do we need to wash fur ? if we dont aply smoke what will be problem?

[@jafinch78]

Interesting, I don't recall ever reading about egg yolk tanning. Brain and oil tanning of course are the better for health and the ability to get wet and dry again without losing the flexibility of the leather. I've read other tanning methods create a dry stiff leather once dried after getting wet. How does the egg yolk tanned hide perform? Thanks for sharing. My nephew was asking me about tanning and I've not done in a few decades. Good to see plenty on the KZbin detailing very well, such as yours.

[@gregorychaney7604]

You should create a fitness series called "The Tanning Exercise Program". 🙂 Cheers from Alaska

[@kelletman]

So enthusiastic, makes you want to do it yourself.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

that's the idea!

[@kelletman]

@@BuckskinRevolution It was a compliment.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

@@kelletman oh yes; that's how I read it. Perhaps my reply should have read - "thank you, that's the idea, lag it's working" to be more clear

[@user-ji1se4mj3k]

ممكن تكبين الخطوات لكي اترجمه للغه العربيه شكرا اذا ساعدتني

[@TheKolen2434]

I've done egg tanning before and actually prefer it to the alum. Just curious, did you leave the egg on the hides when you put it in the freezer? How long did you let the egg sit on the hide before freezing it? Or was that a completely different hide lol. Sorry, im confused. Love your channel!

[@Cozcacuauhtli]

THANKS

[@trevorflynn1117]

what if im starting with a hide that was frozen immediately after skinning? do i need to dry the hide first or can i just start with the yolk?

[@bubba19912]

I’ve been wondering what the difference would be between freeze drying because I own a freeze dry machine and doing it in this method. I would totally be interested in knowing what you guys think about it.😊

[@marceybadillo1618]

Hi Woniya, you are my hero! Thank you. What other kind of soap can we use if we can’t find Dr. Bonnets?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Any natural (fat and lye based) soap. You just need to be sure it isn't a detergent

[@rodneyreiter4026]

WOW, that is a cool stove.

[@kokeskokeskokes]

Awesome.

[@joygernautm6641]

Great video!! Just joined your patreon♥️

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Thanks Joy! Glad to have you!

[@Florizk]

So, after the egg wash, Let it sit for a while, and Then Freeze it ? De hydrate, and repeeat?

[@rachelholdt6840]

Thanks for this tutorial! How many dressing/freeze/thaw cycles do you go through for these hides? I live in Nebraska where we often have cold snaps in January and February that would be conducive to using this style of tanning on larger hides. I'm doing research now so that I can process the 2 sheep and 2 goat hides I'll have soon in the easiest/best way possible 😊

[@BuckskinRevolution]

There are too many factors to be able to answer how many times, but several cycles is wise

[@user-vz1wf8jk3d]

This was such a good video! thank you so much! (So amazing to see you in Alone Frozen!) 1. Do you apply a new layer of dressing before each freeze? 2. Do you resoak the hide in water after the freezer and before starting to work the hide (cable/stretch)?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

You do redress the hide several times during the process but not necessarily every time you put it in the freezer, and you don't soak it in water again once you've started dressing and softening, that would rinse out the dressing

[@user-vz1wf8jk3d]

@@BuckskinRevolution thank you so much for your response! That does make sense! Does all of the multi-directional stretching and cable work happen before any dressing is applied? I think my confusion comes from the ideas that the hide requires moisture to accept the dressing, but we work the hide with stretching and cable until it is fully dry. Thanks again! I'm so excited to try this!

[@kawaiiyokaii6360]

So do we just let this stuff defrost and not wash it? Worth it then put in more egg and put it back in the freeze? I feel dumb because to me that wasn’t clear

[@healthygreenbrave]

Hey girl! Wonderful work!! What did you do after butchering the rabbits, to their hides, to dry them and get to he start of the video? Then what will you do with them once they're supple?

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Exactly what I was wondering. This is a difficult video to follow for a newbie.

[@TaylorsAuthenticTraditions]

Sgi for the excellent video and tip. I braintan deer hides so I have experience with that, but how does one remove the membrane layer on a rabbit after skinning. It seems to rip the hide just by hand pulling the membrane.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Agreed, pulling the membrane by hand often leads to tearing on rabbits furs. I always membrane the wet hides on a beam using as little pressure as possible, and I pad the beam with an old towel first to help distribute the pressure

[@TaylorsAuthenticTraditions]

@@BuckskinRevolution Sgi for the reply. It this with use of a steel or bone flashing tool? Someone had mentioned allowing the hide to dry out flat/staked or in a frame then by the use of either sandpaper modern or sandstone or pumice stone lightly removing membrane without tearing hide. Have you attempted this method? I am about to attempt it today on a prime jackrabbit hide

[@joeltower5964]

If I may ask another question, the cable that you work the hide on, is it rough metal or smooth like a clothesline? And does it matter? Thank you learning so much from your videos :)

[@BuckskinRevolution]

It can be either rough or smoother, but I prefer the tougher ones as they help remove the membrane and break up any crust that forms on the grain side. I am careful not to work the grain side against the rough cable very often though, so I don't damage that smooth surface

[@joeltower5964]

@@BuckskinRevolution ok, cool thanks!

[@pipedreamerglass]

Hey I remember you from alone!!! Cheers🎉

[@joeltower5964]

Do you have to do the egg mixture or just stretch them til dry? A lot of videos show doing an alum and salt pickle then drying and stretching. Still on my first try with about 12 hides and having trouble. Also I work full time and my wife works alot, so it's me and the kids often with no time to work on hides. Also I am wondering if you lose a lot of fur when stretching, and how do you avoid losing fur

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Yes, you do need the egg mixture or a brain mixture or a dressing of some kind. Alum tanning is a totally different technique. This is a technique for rain/smoke tanning, and therefore requires all the same things as that process requires. It is labor-intensive, so if it sounds like more than works for you with your busy family alum tanning might be a better option. I don't do alum tanning though, so I can't give you any advice about that.

[@joeltower5964]

@@BuckskinRevolution ok thank you so much for the speedy response :)

[@ShindaRatto]

Sorry if you have a tutorial about this but after smoking how do you get the smoky smell out of the hides?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

You don't, rinsing then in water it with a little soap makes it less strong, but they always smell smokey. That's part of their charm

[@wo8818]

So they are supposed to still be stretchy after they've completely dried? My pet rabbit recently died and I've been doing the alum/salt method. The past week I've been stretching it twice a day while it dried (kept at room temp), but now it's completely dried it feels like either very tough leather (the thicker parts, they don't stretch at all anymore) or crumpled paper (the thin parts, not stretchy anymore either). It is flexible, not like stiff parchment or anything, but definitely not stretchy either. Also, I was told to rub the non-hairy side with some oil (I don't have a place to smoke them), but that brings back the yellowy look of pre-stretched hide, when I quite liked the uniform whiteness it had turned. Is that normal/did I do anything wrong?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Alum tanning, aka tawing is a totally different process than brain tanning, which is what this video is focused on. Sounds like you were using some techniques from each method, but not doing either fully, which is why you got mixed results

[@wo8818]

@@BuckskinRevolution Ah, thanks for explaining! I hope I won't need to do it again in the near future (as that'd mean that another of my pets'll have died), but I'll make sure to do my research more thoroughly next time.

[@jamiehieronimus365]

Can you use the peppermint Dr bronners soap?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

I find the peppermint and tea tree scents are too strong and can damage the hides

[@columbiariverpussycat3769]

I believe wabbit season is coming up too

[@marieatkin5669]

I looked at the comments before to see if anyone asked you this question . . . Did you flesh these hides before processing them into cured ones? Or do you depend on the cable to take off the membrane?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Yes, I always flesh them very thoroughly before tanning, drying; or freezing them.

[@rjtell6869]

I love tanning hide with the fur on lol just be cuz I hate making flyhooks out the fur 😝

[@yknowgirl]

How do you get the smoke smell out?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

You don't. Smoke tanned hides smell smokey. It fades over times, but doesn't go away entirely

[@tallybeaverman9462]

❤

[@soupboy2087]

do i have to tan immediately after skinning? sometimes i don’t have time to do all of my hides at once. if so how do i keep my hides ready to be tanned?

[@joodlebug]

Hides can be kept in the freezer until your ready to tan

[@soupboy2087]

@@joodlebug thank you.

[@insanewolfchick8829]

What temperature does your smoke roughly get to? What are you looking for during the smoking process to know they are done?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

I have never measured the temperature of my smoke, but the cooler the better in terms of less risk for fire and heat damage to the hide. The color is the indicator of when it is done. A nice golden to warm brown color is what you are after, but not chocolate brown. That is way too much smoke when it gets that dark

[@insanewolfchick8829]

@@BuckskinRevolution I'm trying to find the best way to tan my rabbits. I want to use the most natural method possible. I sadly didn't get to learn how to do it by my ancestors or elders. So it's a journey alone so far. Thank you so much

[@joygernautm6641]

Did you keep all of the hides from the small game you got on a loan? Also, I noticed a lot of people get grouse. Are the feathers used for anything when you’re out there?

[@columbiariverpussycat3769]

Ive seen people use the feathers to make flys for fishing

[@joygernautm6641]

@@columbiariverpussycat3769 Me too, and that makes sense, but I’ve often wondered if you can use the feathers for some sort of insulation or makeshift pillow for warmth etc..

[@columbiariverpussycat3769]

@@joygernautm6641 Oh I bet you could make a pillow or insulation out of the Grouse feathers. Although I'd probably figure out a way to clean the feathers before using them in a pillow lol

[@crystalmacmillan7854]

If the hide dries out and its not as stretched as you would like can you rewet it safely? And then keep working it?

[@jennykoczur9339]

Yes. I’ve done this several times on deer hides and they’ve come out beautifully.

[@mayamachine]

motivating me, I've got some raccoon hide in the freezer, been eating raccoons, but not gotten around to even fleshing the hides yet.

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Sweet. Raccoon hides are trickery as they are so fatty and grisly, so freeze tanning is very helpful for them

[@fastrabbitcrochet]

I suppose raccoon would be nutritious meat because of their crawdad diet? Seriously curious. I would consider eating coon I just have never heard of it even though I live in major coon hunting country. The guys just do it for sport when I was in high school I never knew what was done with the killed coons and really never wondered back then.

[@idontremember2995]

Waaaaaay back when I was just a young guy I salted a few snowshoe rabbit pelts (had no real idea what I was doing), and one of them actually turned out really soft and nice, you have me wondering if it's because of freeze drying. Whatever, it was totally accidental.

[@jodyhoward2441]

Have you ever tried this technique on larger game?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

Not personally but I have seen it done. For larger game ideally it would be lashed into a rack and you need a climate conducive to it unless you have access to a walk in freezer

[@raycecil4643]

where have you been all my life?

[@jamesvatter5729]

This just popped up. I just had to watch "The Alone Lady!"

[@graemewindley1614]

Kero and baking soda are the easiest and quickest and most affective i have ever done. If you want to know how ,shoot me note.

[@Raspukek-fu8un]

me no get it. u whot age? 60? and this gal 6:23 is the same or odda gal?

[@jamiehieronimus365]

Only warm water no brain added?

[@BuckskinRevolution]

No, it isn't only warm water, it is a dressing that acts in the same way as brains, a mixture of warm water, egg yolks, oil and soap

[@Michael-zb6uw]

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