OLD SCHOOL LEATHER TANNING: Gathering the Key Ingredient

In this video, I cut down a diseased tan oak tree to harvest the bark and process the wood for charcoal and firewood. I briefly introduce bark tanned leather and talk about my upcoming book on that subject.
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Tan oak, Notholithocarpus densiflorus, is called tan bark oak because it was so widely used in tanning leather. Harvesting tan bark was a common summer job in Northern California in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The trees are cut April thru July and the bark is peeled off and dried. The wood is excellent firewood. I use the brush and limbs to make charcoal to use as a soil amendment. The leaves are good compost material. I'm also collecting the acorn caps for tanning experiments. The wood is excellent for growing wood loving mushrooms like shitake and oyster mushrooms. If the trees are straight, I'll often save pieces for woodworking projects.
Leather tanned with tan oak bark is excellent. The vegetable tanning process will be covered thoroughly in my up coming book whenever I get it done.

[@guineapigfarmer6064]

I'm really looking forward to your leather tanning book. Thanks for your work. I'm promoting it all over the net.

[@Brandon_Wlson]

You sir, are a true man and what I hope to one day become

[@SkillCult]

We have more opportunity to become who we want to be than not. Vision, Intent, courage and action. Everyone will try to convince you to go with the herd.

[@drason69]

Loved the ending and annotations. Thanks!

[@CircmcisionIsChi1dAbus3]

as soon as he said, "youre subscribing" I just....did...is he some sort of bush wizard?!

[@jonwaite5660]

Loved this video! Thanks for the content man. Love the channel!

[@paskinner4812]

Cut a big maple right next to the driveway and it will not peel for anything. But, the power company has been cutting up some smaller stuff that peels real nice. I'm jealous of that amazing thick bark you have. I don't think we have that kind of oak around here. I used to think you could only use certain barks, but now I use whatever I can get. It all works, some is just naturally stronger and some needs strengthened more often. I do have a small peeling spud. It helps somewhat, but it's kind of a toss up between it and the axe method.

[@SkillCult]

You can try ripping the bark off in thin shreds with a drawknife if it's not peeling. Then it's ready to boil as it comes off.

[@rashadabdullah9769]

Hard to find thorough videos like this on youtube.

[@nomadichunter2818]

Real native way! Take care of each thing, so cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@draven3838]

I've started trying my hand at bark tanning ,because people give me 10-20 hides every deer season ,so it's time to.learn this skill

[@SkillCult]

They make really great soft bark tan. Watch my series on making strops from scratch, it has the whole process except for softening and finishing, which will happen eventually. There is a playlist with all of them in order. kzbin.info/aero/PL60FnyEY-eJCcE3gKzj0GkadKlSF_8xbj

[@SkillCult]

actually, one project i would work on if I had more time and energy and resources and people is dialing in a soft bark tan leather. I think it should be and if I have have anything to do with it, will be, a standard product. The stuff is luxurious.

[@thebadhermit]

Great videos! Thanks. I live on a remote island and am going to be putting all of this information to good use. I’m visiting the mainland right now and have been watching and thoroughly enjoying your videos all day. Practical knowledge and problem solving skills are a necessity when you live alone in the woods. Thanks for all the great tips!

[@markdudley3831]

Bad Hermit ..... whats the remote island bro ? Australia !!

[@mindyhyler8188]

I'm in love with you videos thank you for making all these videos

[@SkillCult]

Thank you Mindy :)

[@EvilMonkey8366]

Thanks for all your knowledge!

[@thomashughes1467]

Thanks man , we do have sumach. I will give it a try next time.

[@saucywench9122]

Yeah Paul Bunyan, get it! That's some beautiful bark.

[@TheAbrahamsilveyra]

Waiting for more videos on tanning hides. Thank you!!!

[@lawrencefranck9417]

If the disease is like pine tree rust moving the cut or dead trees around spreads the fungus spores. As well as on your feet, axe and chainsaw. Trees should be cut and burned on site. Felled away from healthy trees. I’m sure your hog would have loved those acorns! I enjoy your videos!

[@SkillCult]

More tanning videos definitely coming!

[@markolson9437]

I've been a long time brain tanner and I'm redirecting into veg. tanned leather techniques. There's not much out there for info. so thank you for the vid. I look forward to your book. Good luck!

[@SkillCult]

+many “intentional living” trees thanks. I have been braintanning longer,, and wrote a book on it: amzn.to/1Nflt3s I've messed with veg tanning for a long time now too though and pretty much just do that now, trying to figure it all out. It's a huge subject, but not that hard really to get reasonably proficient. If you haven't, read my blog post on the site on common veg tan mistakes. It is indexed on this page skillcult.com/tanning-and-leather/?rq=tanning

[@isaacvelazco207]

you know you are good with an axe when 9:32

[@SkillCult]

I'm glad someone noticed. If only it were always like that!

[@MrThede02]

that was actually sick lol

[@TJHutchExotics]

When you said SOD it made me think of the band SOD (Stormtroopers of Death) I haven’t listened to them in forever and that’s what I’m gonna do do now. Lol

[@SkillCult]

I had one of their albums once. Classic east coast stuff. I'd rather have tht SOD.

[@nomadichunter2818]

Damn when you started cutting the tree I could smell the green oak wood through the screen! xD

[@hoilst]

All right. I subscribed. Partly because I want to know if you find your knife.

[@SkillCult]

+hoilst Yeah, I found it! I think it was just sitting out there in plain sight, but the handle and sheath are black. It's been pretty much replaced with a Silky Nata, which I'll probably review at some point. Are you going to unsubscribe now :(

[@SkillCult]

+SkillCult :'(

[@kianucollis3929]

16:23...black handle....

[@SkillCult]

Good eye! I think I had already found it at that point. I hope so anyway...

[@lorenstallsmith5785]

For you Eastern Tanner's, I should mention that staghorn sumac which grows like weeds along the roads here is very high in tannins. The dried leaves and bark and the berries all work. I'm gonna do a video on dying and tanning with sumac.

[@SkillCult]

Yes!

[@alisonhenry820]

I just tanned some rabbit skins with sumac. First batch with leaves, second with bark. They both turned out great! I'm experimenting with tons of plants right now.

[@fredflintstone6163]

Thanks I'm beginner with a dozen hides or more wanting to get better excellent video s

[@SkillCult]

I have a lot of tanning videos. check out my playlists

[@levisweet979]

MAN, NOT AN OUNCE OF BULLSHIT IN YOUR CHANNEL, I WISH WE COULD HANG OUT!!! thank you so much for your channel and wisdom!!

[@SkillCult]

Thanks for noticing :)

[@garwoodgerdes5585]

What a BURL $$

[@azra7874]

i once had to use an axe to cut a fallen branch of a star apple star apples one stiff wood tho the branch was like 10-11 inch thick 20 ft long tons of smaller branches

[@HerbertHopkins799]

Thanks for sharing man. Keep it up

[@FT4Freedom]

Dude I'm subbed.

[@wheelsgonewild1286]

I really like what you do. I would like to follow you through what you do. I subbed you. Very interesting.

[@SkillCult]

thanks, welcome aboard!

[@uiop545]

many thanks; awsome info.

[@nomadichunter2818]

The pig is so cute :3

[@moniquegebeline4350]

the inside white oak bark is medicinal in many ways so make sure you harvest that too :)

[@SkillCult]

We have a couple white oak species here. This one is not actually a true oak, whatever that means. I mean it has acorns...

[@nomadichunter2818]

If you peal the wood bark in April/spring you can use it for making backpacks, i've seen it done. Also could you dry the bark and use it for tanning next year? Will it keep its toxic properties? Also tree bark is a good blood thinner, if you have cold or heart decease, it can help as a nature medicine. I've tried it.

[@SkillCult]

yes, it can be dried for later. This bark is too gnarly and heavy for baskets, but there are lots that do work.

[@g-racer6683]

I mean the arrogance can be turned down a bit, but I’m still gonna sub because it is true that you know what you’re doing. That is clear, and this is information I’m interested in obtaining.

[@SkillCult]

Ha ha, thanks.

[@robertking1480]

I use to chop wood good now old n outs shape

[@branni6538]

That's a whole lot of work dude. There's ways to tan hides with bark without all that effort. Native people's have all those skills locked in without all the back breaking work.

[@SkillCult]

Well, do tell. I'm very interested in any tanning methods.

[@stormpooper100]

My new favorite channel! Loving your in-depth content. How fresh does the bark need to be? My neighbors cut down a few spruce trees 5 months ago. Can I still harvest that bark?

[@SkillCult]

Awesome, welcome on board. If the tree was green and the bark hasn't been rained on a lot, it should still be good. Spruce has definitely been used in tanning too. The deal is that if the bark dries out and then gets rained on, the tannins can wash out, but if it's not been rained on a lot, not rotten, or wasn't dead when the tree was cut, it should be good. One way to get the bark if it's stuck to the tree, which it probably will be, is to drawknife it off and try to shave it pretty fine so it's ready to go straight into the pot.

[@stormpooper100]

SkillCult thank you for the quick reply and good info! I think the trees check out. PG&E cut them down in August and it’s been relatively dry here in Humboldt county. Cheers!

[@jadonkirk5930]

I subbed and I will buy your book when your finnished

[@SkillCult]

Don't hold your breath on the book lol. I don't know why I was so optimistic about getting it done then.

[@jadonkirk5930]

@@SkillCult thats fine you vids are detailed enough

[@Steve_G88]

Hey these logs dont count for the cordwood challenge! 🤣

[@SkillCult]

True lol.

[@StitchesLovesRats]

Okay, buddy. I'll sub.

[@SkillCult]

Ha ha, thanks :)

[@UncommonNews777]

LOL Love the FX

[@felixmikkialmosttoasted3911]

How old can a deadfall tree be used for tanning. I dont have access to any oak either

[@yanstev]

I live in Albuquerque high desert and we don't have a lot of trees that we can cut down to harvest bark. What do you think of buying bark mulch at Lowes to make tanning solution?

[@SkillCult]

Look for sand dock in the area also known as canaigre. There is a USDA publication on it I think. If you ever visit the low desert you can use mesquite wood, not bark. I'm sure there are other things around. Using mulch will depend on what kind of bark, and how much it has been gotten wet. If it is leached out from rain or sprinklers, which a lot of it is, you wont' have much tannin left. If there are rivers, willow bark works and it will grow back after cutting.

[@elidor135]

Is your book out yet? I love these videos but I would really like to have this info in a hard copy.

[@SkillCult]

no. It might be a while.

[@elidor135]

+SkillCult I hear ya. I noticed you had a book about brain tanning on Amazon. Is there anywhere else I could buy it so you get the most profit? It didn't look like it was available on your website.

[@SkillCult]

Thanks Kris. It's true profits through Amazon are pretty low, but that is all that is set up right now. I should put it in my store I guess. You can use this amazon link. amzn.to/1OdTqTc I can recommend Lotta Rhame's book on vegetable tanning. it is a little pricey as an import, but it has a lot of good stuff: amzn.to/1ZzjRTX You can also read Farnhams little book for free here: books.google.com/books?id=REExAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA182&lpg=PA182&dq=read+farnham+tanning+took&source=bl&ots=GFoWwjg9o9&sig=iaSeNDHJtohFjNblm1X33zoGFCc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwigtI2BypnNAhUO7mMKHfBcD9EQ6AEIOjAF#v=onepage&q=read%20farnham%20tanning%20took&f=false

[@nunyabidnessgogl1942]

@Kris Kazmierski, See if you can have your local bookseller order it in. We are lucky to have an old fashioned independent bookseller near us, who we try and support whenever we can! But they are a dying breed! I agree with you, screw Bezos. I will not help fund his Oligarchical Collectivist propaganda rag (Washington Post) any longer if I can help it. Well in fact I might just have to go without something if Amazon was the only place I could get it... Yes I feel that strongly about it. God bless.

[@davidbibo5779]

SkillCult thank you for supplying the link to the import book. Do you have your book out yet? I own highland cattle, and want to vegetable tan their hides into rugs, primarily, but also to make new sheaths and handles for the knives I inherited from my father. I'm intrigued how you make so much. It would be nice to make my own belts and boat shoes. They're the shoe of choice growing up around the Chesapeake bay.

[@andremoise797]

I cut down a white oak two months ago peeled some of the bark sitting out in the rain would it still be good

[@SkillCult]

If the bark is dried, then rained on a lot, much of the tannin can seep our. If it is still green, usually not a problem. And depends on how much rain of course

[@chasonhayes435]

where is the video on making the tanning liquor?

[@SkillCult]

It's in this series... kzbin.info/aero/PL60FnyEY-eJCcE3gKzj0GkadKlSF_8xbj

[@cordelldutoit5236]

Checked your website. Couldn't find a link to the book anywhere. You ever finish it?

[@SkillCult]

Unfortunately no. Don't hold your breath on that book

[@JohnnyUrbanWoodsmen]

Hey skill cult, great video. I subbed. I myself would love to oak tan or even vegetable tan some hides one day, the closest I've got to tanning was a pig hide, and a squirrel. The pig hide I did it using a semi primitive technique using wood ashes, water, letting soak for a couple of days, pealing off the amour until I have only the top skin, very hard work then letting it dry in the sun for a couple more days then, soaking it in a oil solution made with eggs, and mayonnaise after that it was smoked to a beautifully light brown color. That was about 10 years ago and the pig leather is still going strong. The squirrel hide that one was pinned to a board, salted, let dried for 2 months then dried scraped on flesh side only, after that soaked and rinsed in water, let dry then add the eggs and mayonnaise and work until dry and supple. Do you sell your tanned hide? Love to own one of you handcrafted hides one day. Thank you for a great video. Johnny

[@SkillCult]

Pig hide is tough stuff. Watch my series on making strops from scratch. I follow the whole bark tan process pretty much. Not is great detail, but enough for someone with a little experience to probably pick it up pretty well. I don't sell hides anymore. Busy with other stuff and experimenting. Welcome to my channel :)

[@JohnnyUrbanWoodsmen]

Thank you for the speedy reply. Yes I just finished watching your series on bark tanning, loved it. Aw ok. I understand im the same way I love to experiment on things also, and I hate to stop when I have to go to work, but hey we do what needs to be done. keep them coming. take care. Johnny

[@mysteryman3547]

Does bark from a dead tree work? Or does it have to be bark from a living tree?

[@SkillCult]

dead can be okay if it has not been rained on a lot, and is not rotten. If it is rained on after it dies and dries out, then you will lose a lot of the water soluble tannic acid. So it is more about what condition the bark is in. You can also just use more, but you may need a lot more and you already need quite a bit.

[@mysteryman3547]

My first hide went bad. Maybe i had bad bark. I just got a barkometer to test tannin levels. Do you know what a good level is and at what level it should be replaced with new? Thanks

[@SkillCult]

I don't know. I don't really measure anything. Most likely you didn't use enough bark, or low tannin. Watch this. We all do it :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJvOnpKrgJWrlc0si=1RUWq-Tc87ZTi8vS

[@GiuseppeDucaDiParma]

What about black or English walnut bark? And will any oak tree work?

[@SkillCult]

English walnut bark, I know I have info on and I think it's suppoed to be good. Look up my article on vegetable tanning materials. It's very extensive and I think those are int here. Probably any oak will work, but can make very different qualities of leather. Ideally start with something known to be good,b ut if you can't get it, just try whatever you have.

[@StanislavG.]

Oak ashes are great for making lye

[@CircmcisionIsChi1dAbus3]

all these forgotten trades are so fucking cool. Lye is for making mortar right? Now I can start building walls, and soon...a castle! You'll soon hear a news report of a crazed man in the middle of nowhere discovered dead, stacking stones to build, what appears to be a pile of rubble. He was discovered wearing a crown made of oak twigs.

[@Cody_Ramer]

CircumcisionIsChildAbuse lye is a main ingredient in soap making and you do not want lye to sit on your skin for very long.

[@CircmcisionIsChi1dAbus3]

@@Cody_Ramer nvm was thinking of lime for some reason.

[@BorisSpark]

Run away from the tree diagonally it is safer since the tree can jump back quiet far.

[@SkillCult]

Thanks. I do know about that. I don't remember, but I probably figured I was good with that tree just because of the tree itself and circumstances. I cut it with an open face cut so it wouldn't kick off the stump and it was pretty open in front of it, distinct lean etc.

[@branni6538]

Dry the hide out. Clean the hair side and inside. Dry scrape. Make an oak bark paste and paint/rub it in. Granted it won't produce saddles but it will make leather for belts and sheaths, pouches etc. Wet scrape is a mucky old job. Lye/ashes can also be ignored. Or if you hate dry scrape, use ash dip and leav e for longer soak. Bark from dead limbs or dead standing/rotten trees only requires gathering. No axe work or processing needed. If you can get any chestnut bark that is rich too just like oak.

[@SkillCult]

That sounds like a ton of work. I have decades of tanning experience, wrote a book on braintanning that is probably the most in depth and longest home tanning book ever written, and I've done tons of research on traditional tanning methods from wherever I can get information. I have binders full of the stuff xeroxed out of university libraries. I've been a dry scraper and wet scraper when it comes to braintanning and done both with traditional primitive tools. That doesn't sound easy at all. For one, dry scraping is tedious and tons of work, not to mention that you have to either frame or firmly stake the hide. That is also not at all the leather I'm trying to make. If you're only partly tanning it, you are either going to end up with a stiff untanned center, or have to do similar softening process to braintanning. Of all the traditional tanning methods I've used, bark tanning as I do it now, which is a pretty typical type approach, is the least physical work, although it does take time. That is one of the reasons I favor it now. I'm older than I used to be and don't have as much strength and energy. That is if the skin is being tanned all the way through and not basically dyed rawhide. It takes time to strike through the skin, even with good strong bark and a well prepared skin. Combination tans and case tanned leather is okay for a few things, but it can hardly be compared to well tanned leather. I'm not sure why the goal would be to do less work anyway. I'm trying to produce a specific type of product. Also, much of this work was me gathering firewood. The only extra step was peeling the bark off the wood, which is enough to tan a lot of hides. Old dead and weathered bark may be fine for dyeing I supposed, but for a well tanned leather, which is actually well filled with tannin, and not just barely tanned or case tanned, it sucks and requires a lot more material. Liming and deliming is less physical work than dryscraping or wetscraping. The most significant work as I do bark tan is chopping the bark into chips.

[@branni6538]

@@SkillCult Need and want being 2 different things. Very often what we want isnt what we really need. Hence.............so much work.............to make any hide usable as being beyond need. Wanting hides to make sadles etc will need more curing but at the end of the day a well cured hide needs only a stronger solution/longer rinse time in the solution. I dont doubt your experience or skills dude. Not one bit. I respect your interest and passion for native skills. Was merely pointing out what you are doing is a whole bunch of work. Ive wet and dry scraped large hides and small hides, thick and thin. Buckskin etc............Dryscrape is work indeed..............but its cleaner than wet scrape and less chance of disease in the fingers. No tanning/buckskin is easy really...............but our european ethics are always blood sweat and tears hard work...............Native peoples all over the world would never expend so much energy...................I have a great article on the methods i mentioned and if i can find it/ratch it out i will surely send you it to try and keep. The old lady in the pictures was a native american woman and she most certainly didnt bust a gut. Ive always wondered if they ever boiled rocks in the tanning solution to heat the water to hot but not boiling to expand the hide pores and make absorbtion of the tannin solution into the fibers easier and quicker. Have you ever tried that? A well soaked hide in a hot solution could then be dumped into a very cold solution to shrink the fibers and lock the tannin in. Then worked to shape or softness..........

[@jasonwilenken6363]

That's fucking dope

[@UncommonNews777]

Did the acorns work?

[@SkillCult]

Yeah, they should. Not the most practical source of tannin. The caps are probably a somewhat more practical source, but the shells too I think. I posted something on a blog about tannin contents of acorns, and the shells and caps. It's not just whether the tannin is there, but also getting most of it out. They should work though.

[@PatrickCordaneReeves]

Did you ever finish that book? Link?

[@SkillCult]

Unfortunately no. Don't hold your breath waiting. I haven't even gotten my buckskin tanning book back in print yet.

[@lukecope4212]

Not sure if you mentioned this in the video already, but how do you store the bark to keep maximum tannin level?

[@SkillCult]

as far as I know if it's dry and not attacked by bugs, storage is not a problem. Don't let it get rained on or the tannin can leach out.

[@UncommonNews777]

New sub

[@SkillCult]

Awesome, welcome.

[@jajatus2002]

Hey. New sub here from Maine... You mentioned a book at 7:40... Was this completed and released?

[@SkillCult]

No, and not likely to happen soon if ever unfortunately. Sorry.

[@branni6538]

Forgot to say...........don't salt dry the hide.........it locks the hair into the hide. Air/sun dry hides instead.

[@bilaalmanselljones10]

Is bark better than leaves?

[@SkillCult]

It is certainly stronger and easier to get a lot of. Leaves can probably work, but you'll need a lot and make sure they have not been rained on.

[@gragreiser1501]

Excellent video. How soon is your new book going to be available?

[@SkillCult]

+Grag Reiser Ha ha... Don't hold your breath ;) someday. Life and other projects keep getting in the way. There will be a trickle of these coming in as I find myself doing various tanning steps and related stuff.

[@gragreiser1501]

+SkillCult I completely understand, I'm in the same boat (not writing a book though). I have a boar hide, from a wild pig I shot, in the freezer and would really like to tan it but haven't gotten around to doing it and would like to be able to do a decent job my first time. BTW, how long can a hide keep in a freezer before becoming unusable?

[@SkillCult]

+Grag Reiser I would start with something much smaller actually. Just a little trial run. Squirrels are perfect to learn on and make you early mistakes. Hogs can be challenging because of the fat, but perfectly doable. It helps to use a sharp scraper though, so that my lead to some cuts until you get the hang of the tools and using them. Good question on how long you can store. Eventually they will become "freezer burned" or something like that. I don't understand it completely, but it changes the way the skin interacts with water and it becomes dry. I think You'd want to do tan it before that happens. People in the north actually use freezing as a technique. It opens out the hide and, again, changes the way it interacts with water. Lubrication and softening basically become easier, but that is for braintanning, which is a very different process than bark tanning.If you wrap it extra well, that might help keep it longer. I can't really give you any kind of definite answer. I have frozen a lot of skins over the years, but I guess it hasn't really helped me understand that problem.

[@gragreiser1501]

+SkillCult Thanks for your input. I should try some ground squirrels since my parents have a ton that are pests around their house and there seems to be an endless supply of them. I really hope that my hog skin works out but if not I guess it's not too bad to have to go hunting for another one :)

[@SkillCult]

+Grag Reiser I don't recall ever actually finishing any ground squirrel skins, but they are probably good. I think I braintanned some, but like 25 years ago, and I don't remember what they were like. I know grey squirrel skins are very nice though. If you could blow one up to the size of a deer... Trust me though, start small. Also, read my article on skillcult about common bark tanning mistakes on this page skillcult.com/tanning-and-leather/?rq=tanning . Between it and especially with the comments on that post, that is most of what you need to know to bark tan successfully. It is a lot to take in though and it just takes some time and mistakes to get up and running. You will need to scale up some tools to do bigger skins, but the process is basically the same otherwise. People get attached to skins, especially hunters. I understand that. I do to actually, but there are always more skins in the sea. Hog skin is really cool stuff. Definitely worth tanning, though parts are often so thin as to be unuseable and others ridiculously thick. You could round it off and just tan the best part. I'd still start with a squirrel. Usually they are hit by cars a lot this time of year.

[@ebenestolano8672]

Can i use mahogany tree bark?

[@SkillCult]

Not sure. I have a page on my website, with tons of info on different tannin sources. I don't remember seeing it in there, but you could look. search skillcult tanning materials. I'd also try a web search, you might come up with something.

[@Achbar]

I need to learn hide tanning

[@SkillCult]

Hey, yeah you do! It's really neat. There is nothing quite like going throug that whole transformation.

[@vann8414]

LOL, frozen eyeballs. Now I wonder what ~that~ project was about? Did your acorn caps contain any Tannin? Since they are so woody I would expect not.

[@SkillCult]

I think the eye balls belonged to my ex. They can be used as a sort of sizing or sealer in painting. Acorn caps will contain tannin for sure, though how much and how effective is another thing.

[@vann8414]

I won't ask where the other parts are located. ROFL I thought perhaps they were for that Moroccan dish you wanted to prepare.

[@markdudley3831]

@@SkillCult ... no Steven , it was your balls thats belonged to your ex ... hahaha

[@TheLifeInMotion]

I think there is something wrong with your axe...it has a funny shape and it is really loud!

[@glenengland9719]

If you peel the trees while standing will it kill the tree if not would it grow more bark

[@SkillCult]

Tanoak will die and so will most others. There are a few that will survive. The only ones I know for sure are cork oak and birch, but I think they only peel off an outer layer in both cases.

[@SkillCult]

but many trees grow new trees from the roots, even cut over and over for hundreds of years. Europe has a long tradition of doing that to grow bark and wood sustainably.

[@terryoconnor1744]

I really enjoy your videos! I'm interested in tanning a deer hide, and have access to a lot of elm, black locust and black walnut. Would one of those work well for bark tanning?

[@SkillCult]

Check this video out and the website page mentioned. It has a lot of different plant tannin content. You can tan with black walnut hulls, but it takes a lot. I would recommend finding a bark higher in tannin. I'm not sure about elm, or maybe the black walnut bark. Cant remember about black locust either, but maybe the wood? Hopefully they are on the web page. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZOnY5tpnJWShMU

[@terryoconnor1744]

@@SkillCult Thanks! I think I'm going to be patient with gathering the right tanning materials. If I process my deer hide into rawhide, can I simply soak it and continue the leather making process when I'm ready?

[@SkillCult]

@@terryoconnor1744 Yeah, you could so that. Just be very careful not to crack the grain by bending. Either dry it and leave it alone, or dry it nailed out flat (galvanized nails only) and roll it. And then resoak in water completely before putting it in the tan. You can also salt the skin, or freeze it.

[@jumpwhistlefart]

That was great. Liked, subscribed, commented, and notification bell rung.

[@thomashughes1467]

is red oak good for tanning , i do not think we have tanning oak here in central nc

[@SkillCult]

You should be able to use any oak. I know a friend of mine said he's not that into red oak, but can't remember why. YOu should have other species though. Look at my video on vegetable tanning mateirals and follow the link to my webpage that lists tons of stuff. And look into sumach. I. know you must have that. On this page, WWW.SKILLCULT.COM/FREESTUFF there is a link in the tanning info to a free digital booklet on sumach for tanning.

[@chancekiki8488]

Can you give me the link when your book is out

[@SkillCult]

Probably going to be a long while.

[@johnp.turner2000]

Did you finish your book?

[@SkillCult]

No, that may never happen at this point. Too many competing projects.

[@mostafaman305]

دبغ البرزيل ممتاز ياريت نستوردوه

[@kianucollis3929]

Hey...lots of questions....1. where is this oak disease from...related to chem trails...? 2. is diseased bark still useable for tanning...? 3. your tanned leathers have quite a reddish hue to them, I know that obviously tanning and dyeing are two separate things....but I'm asking if oak bark tanning has this reddish dye naturally in it....or have you done something else to the leather after tanning...? I have bought oak bark tanned leather that is light brown, walnut brown etc....none with this colour though... 4. Do you add sumac at any stage....? Lanolin...? Cods liver oil...? How old does an oak tree have to be before it is useable for its bark...? I'm a uk trained saddler...I buy my leather from Bakers ( www.jfjbaker.co.uk/products/ ) the last oak bark tannery in the UK......Looking forward to your book....!! Good info...Many thanks.

[@SkillCult]

The oak disease is imported and has been spreading for many years. The associated fungus (Phytopthera ramorum) infects many species, but the tan oaks are especially susceptible. You have it over there too. www.forestry.gov.uk/pramorum Once the bark is really diseased I don't think it's probably any good for tanning as it dies and begins to ferment. I get the trees when I'm sure they are infected and going to die (pretty much 100% of them die after they contract it). Those skins are just natural oak tan color. Different barks make different colors. The industry prefers light leather precisely because it can be dyed to any color, but some plant materials make nice reddish or brown colors. Tan oak was valued partly because of the pale color it can give. We don't have sumac here, but it is an excellent tanning material. Cod liver oil takes some explaining, but the short version is, no I don't use it in any of this leather. It is used in oil tanning which is it's own unique process and the degraded oil from oil tanning hides (known in the trade as train oil) is extracted and used to lubricate other leathers. Older oak trees tend to have better bark as far as I know, but that may not be true across the board. Tan Oak has been well studied and the older trees contain more tannin. I don't remember numbers but I think something over 50 years old is preferred. Bark from younger trees is perfectly fine though, you just have to use more of it. I'm not familiar with the oak species over on your side of the pond. I've looked at the Baker tannery website before. I'd love to visit that sometime. I got to visit what I think was the last fairly traditional tannery here before it closed.

[@atomsmasher9411]

First the chestnuts, then the american elm, then almost lost the locusts, then the ash and now the oaks are getting sick. Why are we importing wood into North America any way? So often the long term results are disastrous. A few make a nice profit and the rest of us are impoverished by the lose of native resources. And we never seem to learn.

[@razzorbladz]

some good limbs in that pile for bow making

[@nunyabidnessgogl1942]

@Atom Smasher, You said it all right there "A few make a nice profit and the rest of us are impoverished by the lose of native resources." But what are we going to do about it? I only see the situation continuing to get worse, unless we take action.

[@wheelsgonewild1286]

Does it matter what kind of Oak you use to tan with? I could use some of those pieces to carve spoons out of.

[@SkillCult]

It matters as to the qualities of the leather. I'm sure you could use any kind though. Generally you can find out which ones were used in any area, or if other types of bark were preferred to oak. Some of the preference though may be due to other factors, like economic factors, supply, ease of harvest etc.

[@SkillCult]

when I get good straight longer pieces I save some for carving and stuff. I have a lot of it, so I'm picky about what I save. I don't have a lot of time for carving and I prefer our madrone mostly because it's hard and less porous than oak.

[@wheelsgonewild1286]

You rock. I am going to enjoy watching your channel. I am in a wheelchair and through KZbin I am able to revisit the things I love to do and the things I would love to try. Thank you.

[@SkillCult]

I was so debilitated with lyme disease some years ago that I quit even reading about stuff I wanted to do because it was such a buzzkill. That went on for years. So, I applaud your being engaged in a way the benefits you in your interests. Well, if you are otherwise healthy and have good energy and use of your upper body, I think tanning is probably within your ability with determination and some innovation. You would have to have specialized tools and get pretty slimy, ha ha, but I think it could be done some how. At least on a small scale. As I do more videos, you can get an idea of how you'd have to modify stuff or set it all up to make it work. You can buy bark extract if you can't get anyone to harvest it for you. Just a thought.

[@mr.fernandotrujillo]

Have you tanned any fish skins?

[@SkillCult]

I haven't, though I know a lot of people who have. Lotta Rahme has a book on it. amzn.to/2du4Ki9

[@mr.fernandotrujillo]

Thanks for the info it helps a lot also thanks for the quick response

[@roncook8409]

Dude! You need to sharpen that chainsaw :) but you already knew that.

[@SkillCult]

Tell that tothe tree lol. No, really, I'm pretty lazy about sharpening everything sometimes. that doesn't mean I don't know how or don't know what a sharp saw is. but decades of cutting my own firewood , etc. with no accidents...

[@solomonkullman1577]

What’s the book

[@SkillCult]

Never wrote it :/ Someday. It's partly written.

[@phenbecknell3755]

does is matter what type of oak bark you use?

[@SkillCult]

Different barks are going to have different qualities like color, texture etc, but I doubt that any oak would not work at all.

[@pigetstuck]

awesome! is your book out yet? do you have a website?

[@SkillCult]

Thanks christopher: www.skillcult.com The book is delayed indefinitely. It's too big of a project for me to finish without help. I'm in the middle of a series where I'm tanning a hide though, check that out. kzbin.info/aero/PL60FnyEY-eJCcE3gKzj0GkadKlSF_8xbj I'll have lots more tanning videos eventually.

[@nunyabidnessgogl1942]

@SkillCult, I really love your channel man, you are like a genius mad scientist. :) I see a lot of myself in you. A bit ADD (no offense intended) or maybe somewhere on the spectrum. I definitely am, I have learned to embrace it, but be aware of it and work to also minimize downsides. You seem to want to pursue things that are of interest to you. Nothing wrong with that at all. But I was going to suggest you might benefit from a good editor or someone to sort of fill that role, and keep you on track with writing, or getting it organized. If you are serious about getting that book done that is. Or else you are going to just have to buckle down and get er done. It takes discipline and focus. Maybe start with an outline or something. What will be the scope of the book? The market? Is there a need for this book? It's pretty clear to me that you have done a lot of research into the old works. Maybe you want to bring all this scattered knowledge together and up to date. Good writing is actually hard work, and it is a skill, like any of your other skills (axe, etc.) that you so correctly point out get better with practice. Just some thoughts from my perspective. Nothing but love intended brother (no homo). I could be completely off base, but that's just the impression that I get after watching a bunch of your videos. I'd be happy to help you spitball ideas along those lines of scope, market, outline, etc. if you thought that might help. Some times you just need a sounding board to bounce ideas off of and work through them. I just want to see you succeed man, that's all. And I'm sure it would be a great book, so if I might have some small hand to play in bringing that to fruition, that would be good for both of us, as well as the wider community. Cheers, man!

[@SkillCult]

Thanks, no offence taken. I'm weird and see that as mostly good :) I need someone to work with in publishing, but I dont' think that's going to be a publisher. Even if I finished it now, I wouldn't get it out there like I'd need to. I've got multiple partly finished books. The writing is no problem. I've been writing for years. I but organizing around it, focusing long and hard enough and then putting it all together and getting it out isn't going to happen. I have someone I might try to reign in as a publishing partner. We'll see. At this point, realistically, I either stop youtube and blogging and just do that book for 6 months to a year, or don't do it. it would actually be easier for me to produce a video right now, which I'm more likely to pull off or consider seriously. I was way overly optimistic when I made this video lol.

[@nunyabidnessgogl1942]

Yep you sound like classic disorganized genius, with multiple projects going all over the place, lol. I love your weirdness man, your subtle sense of humor, as someone in another comment compared you to Bob Ross in that way. You are true to yourself and that comes through in your videos. I wish more people would be like that, instead of being so fake. But we are living in a largely very fake and contrived world / society right now, especially here in the West. Thank God we have the internet where us weirdos can realize that we are not alone at all, and maybe not so weird after all, either! Just this morning I once again saw a car with the famous bumper sticker "normal people worry me" which I find more and more applicable all the time. Well, you know your own situation best of course, I just wanted to offer you words of encouragement and an offer of assistance. Keep up the great work, man! As I commented in another video, I am not in a position to send you anything via Patreon just now, but I definitely plan to do so in the future. In the meantime, I can send you good words, intentions, and best wishes, which cost me nothing monetarily, yet are priceless. :) I am getting a lot out of your videos and can hardly wait to own my own acreage out in the boonies and start homesteading. I hope the economy holds up well enough, for long enough, for me to save the money I need to pull that off... Thinking further, of course this pseudo editor / publisher person would have to be someone you know and trust and I'm just some random person on the internet. Anyway... You also seem pretty self aware, and aware of your time/skills/market, etc. and therefore maybe video would be the better format after all. Until the Oligarchical Collectivists don't allow us to have the internet any more that is, in which case a copy of your book in dead tree format would suddenly become even more valuable... XD God bless.

[@brendanclassen3440]

Hello. I am thinking about getting into this but my only access to oak is a family member with many acres who doesn't want me chopping down or damaging his trees. Is there a way to collect enough bark to do a deer skin without damaging the tree?

[@SkillCult]

There are lots of other tanning materials you can use. Where do you live

[@brendanclassen3440]

SkillCult Thanks for the reply. I live in Minnesota and I have access to acres near the metro in mid Minnesota and northern Minnesota.

[@SkillCult]

If you have sumac, that is a very good tanning material. Pick the leaves if they are still on the trees and dry them. You need quite a few. I suggest starting very, very small. Squirrels are perfect, or you can cut some bits off a larger skin to learn on. Then you don't need much and you learn almost as much as doing a larger skin. There should be a lot of good tanning info in the series I'm doing right now on axe strops. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6OtY3-ias6glaM

[@brendanclassen3440]

SkillCult Thanks. I'll keep an eye out. Is there a better time a season to harvest these?

[@SkillCult]

I'm not sure, maybe just when they are mature.

[@edwinwilde3795]

I live in the Western US, and have no oak trees. Do you know whether Oak Brush can work for tanning?

[@SkillCult]

probably any type of oak will work. Acorn caps, and oak galls are other options. Are you in Socal, or the desert?

[@edwinwilde3795]

Northern Utah

[@SkillCult]

Scrub oak should work. Many conifer barks work as well, pine, larch, fir, spruce etc. Mountain mahogany is a good experiment if you have it, and will probably work. It is also used in dyeing leather red by the Navajo, with a few other ingredients. Willows are often abundant and good, though there are a jillion species so who knows. Your best option though is probably sand dock. There is a paper on this page under the tanning materials heading about it, under the name Canaigre. It is easy to dig, powerful, makes a great tan and a beautiful reddish color. Great stuff. Wish it grew here. I'm pretty sure it will grow somewhere close to you. skillcult.com/freestuff

[@edwinwilde3795]

So I looked through that paper, and it seems like for the Canaigre, I just harvest the tuber roots. Would you dry them out or just let them soak in water? Also I noticed in one of your videos you talked about letting one of your hides soak in chicken poop tea...is that a real thing or are you just commenting on the disgusting appearance of the water?

[@SkillCult]

Chicken poop is real, it's called bating. It's not as gross as it sounds lol. I've never dug the canaigre. I'm sure it will be self evident when you dig it. My friends who use it say it grows in huge quantities in the right places and super easy to dig.

[@Soviless99]

can you switch to using oak bark to tan after hitting A hide with one treatment with egg tanning? i am currently tanning a hide with eggs and realized i have a bunch of red oak logs hanging around.

[@SkillCult]

Probably will work. I would rinse out as much loose fatliquor as possible first though. Once you start tanning, take it out once a day, and scud it on the beam for at least the first few days to flush it more.

[@Soviless99]

SkillCult okay . i scudded a lot of the egg glued to it prior to first treatment of my red oak liquor. i made it very strong as you recommended and painted it on the hide. cant believe how good it smells. it kinda hides the deer fat smell that i have rendering in my crockpot

[@SkillCult]

@@Soviless99 Just keep rinsing and scudding. Use some warm water too.

[@Soviless99]

@@SkillCult ok. I have been boiling the red oak bark and then even put it in my food processor to liquefy it beautifully and put it back on the stove to boil. I think it really helped release more of what was hiding inside the bark. I just applied hot bark liquor to the hide right before I did this reply and am going to let the solution soak in and then try scudding it. I noticed the other day I was scudding and sort of pressed the liquor back out and the hide in turn became more like a whitish color in that spot like the liquor wasn't penetrating or I didn't give it enough time to soak in. so I just reapplied the solution to that spot and let it sit. the hide is taking on a very rich brown in terms of bark application color. ive even used an antler occasionally to roughly massage the solution into the skin and stretch it at the same time on my apartment floor. I read a post on paleotechnics I think you made about bark tanning and was concerned about casing. I applied very strong bark solution from the start and am concerned about full penetration of the tannins into the hide. I really do appreciate your help!

[@Sadie-hf6ue]

I reeeeeeaaaaaaallllllllyyyyyyyyy want to write some type of prophecy on that bull skin. Idk why but my brain is screaming at me to do that

[@SkillCult]

Write a prophecy about my channel getting really big :)

[@pauletteshank6660]

Will red oak bark as well as the oak bark you are using

[@SkillCult]

Which red oak? What region. Or if you have a species name, I can look at sources to see what I can find.

[@SkillCult]

I found this. >Red Oak- Q. rubra 8.7%

[@pauletteshank6660]

I live in cetral ontario canada and it is in aboundence

[@SkillCult]

I think there might be a northern oak called red oak that is different? That's the problem with common names. Really, for home tanners, probably any oak bark will do well enough. That is what I suspect anyway.

[@nunyabidnessgogl1942]

Does that kind of oak not make good boards? Forgive my ignorance, I have a lot to learn about wood still, but I am trying. Or maybe you determined you need firewood more than boards, or that you don't want to mess with milling them. It just seems to me like you could have gotten at least a few good boards out of that tree. Not criticizing, just curious. Then again, maybe I just have delusions of grandeur after watching so many of Mr. Chickadee videos. XD And others who do things like use their chainsaw with a spacer as a cheap mill. I see you have the chanisaw already, so I was just curious...

[@SkillCult]

Just another thing to do that I can't get to. I would only bother milling up larger stuff with fewer knots, which there is very little of around here. It makes okay lumber. I use it for making small stuff.

[@melvincollins5811]

After you write your book... If you decide to make a donation to someone who is indegent and disabled... I'd like to add a copy to my collection (which I am trying to rebuild, because my ex-wife got it all)... LLLOL

[@hennings627]

Thats a huge burl youve got there

[@davidgibson159]

Good videos, really interesting.... But, dude, PLEASE go on a basic chainsaw course! You'll get away with it every time til the time you don't!

[@SkillCult]

That's not likely to happen, but you could offer some constructive feedback. I"m happy to consider input. I pretty much learned to use a chainsaw on my own.

[@halieparke1509]

Do you realize that you are probably infecting the surrounding trees by cutting with the chainsaw?

[@hoilst]

No offence, mate, but it was kind painful to watch you chop all that wood on the rough, uneven, and axe-chipping ground... ...when you had a perfectly good, flat chopping block in the front of the frame, literally rooted to the spot...

[@SkillCult]

+hoilst I prefer to split on the ground most of the time for multiple reasons, so it's kind of a habit. Probably didn't occur to me to use the stump, but typically I won't move wood very far if I don't absolutely have to. Mostly I split stuff where it is. The spongy forest floor steals some of the energy, so perhaps, it may have been worth it, especially since it's so low. If a piece requires a lot of input though, I want it on the ground if possible so I'm not losing any of my potential to gain momentum.

[@pyrofful]

First you kill animals NOW you cut down diseased trees! You monster! Lolol. Just kidding thanks for the video. Keep on keeping on. God Bless.

[@SkillCult]

yep, I'm a killer I guess...

[@pyrofful]

Hahaha! I was told by a young woman all hunting us murder. I was thinking in that case i must be a serial killer.

[@xavaloy]

But this young woman would surely eat other living organisms just so long as they don't fit the label of "animal" right? :)

[@nunyabidnessgogl1942]

@Xavier Cebeira, People that hold those kind of opinions ("muh animals!!!11!!!1") did not arrive at them via reason, which is why they cannot be reasoned with. They arrived at their opinions by feelings. The current problem in society is that more and more laws, social norms, etc. are being based on this illogical insanity. People are entitled to opinions, but when your ill considered / illogical opinions start to affect me (as they are more and more nowadays) is when we have a problem. God bless.

[@faisal.shaikh.1685]

hunting of animals and destruction of forestry

[@SkillCult]

Actually, hunting of animals and intelligent, beneficial management of forestry. Try learning something about the forest and how it grows, then have something to say about it, not the other way around. My forest benefits from the work I do in it. Ignorance is not a long term excuse.

[@HerbertHopkins799]

I'm a hunter and my property supports alot more wildlife than my neighbors. I try to stay keep part of my land healthy for the local Flora/fawna

[@Luckingsworth]

Faisal. Shaikh. "I'm cutting this tree down because it has a deadly infectious disease that will spread and kill all trees if not dealt with" "Wahhh y u cut down tree wahhhh"

[@thatonedog819]

SkillCult if you think about it, people who hunt are helping population control, BUT we don't go after the weak and the old. We go after the strong which one could argue weakens the overall population. I'd personally prefer to see more hunting the sick and old especially since I live in an area with a high level of chronic wasting disease in the deer population. To the person who created this thread: As for the trees, removing diseased trees is good overall. It allows new trees to grow. My grandfather used to log his land and every year we would plant more than what was cut down the year before. A disease that impacted birch in particular came in and most of them had to be removed. We should be replanting them now that the disease is more or less gone. This family has has this land for years. The only place that isn't forested is the area that the houses and a few fields of alfalfa and clover planted for the deer. (we don't harvest it). Responsible logging is not bad.

[@fuckmyego]

This video is great. Did you ever finish that book on veg tanning? I'd like to purchase a copy if so!

[@SkillCult]

+Satanicuslupis sorry, no :/ I'll do it someday. It's so hard to finish a project like that. It takes over your whole life and I live alone, so I have a lot to do just day to day. I've been too busy producing other content too. Subscribe and you'll hear about it on youtube for sure when it comes out. Lotta's book is very good in the meantime. amzn.to/1m32JaK It is probably a must have for veg tanners. There isn't a lot available. She's a really cool Swedish tanner.

[@fuckmyego]

+SkillCult Subscribed! Also, thanks a bunch, man. I'm trying to learn out here in New York City and I don't think anyone around here has this kind of folk knowledge. I've asked a lot of leather workers and they just look at me like i'm crazy... as though leather is something you just order from "bumblef***" that mysteriously originates from there. I'm definitely going to pick up Lotta's book in the meantime.

[@SkillCult]

+Satanicuslupis I'll be releasing a lot of good stuff, but at this point it just has to happen at a natural rate as I've got time. We'll get you there though! I have a playlist that contains all my tanning videos and I'll keep putting them there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYmbmGOPqZWNo6s Lotta's book has a lot of good stuff. The translation isn't the best, so it can read a little choppy, but solid stuff. She's the real deal. More experience than me actually. Veg tanning is starting to pick up finally, but there still aren't very many of us out there. You should also read my blog post on common bark tanning mistakes. it has a lot of what you need to know to not screw up. skillcult.com/blog/2013/04/14/the-most-common-bark-tanning-mistakes-pitfalls-to-avoid-on-your-way-to-beautiful-leather?rq=bark%20tanning

[@waggybaggy1466]

i can just smell it all day LOL XD