How To Brain Tan A Hide With Hair On

How to Brain Tan a Hide with Hair On: A Comprehensive Guide

Brain tanning is an ancient method of preserving animal hides, resulting in a soft, supple leather that retains its natural hair. It's a labor of intensive process, requiring patience and attention to detail, but the rewarding result is well worth the effort. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you achieve a beautifully preserved hide with its natural coat intact.

Essential Tools and Materials:

Before embarking on this journey, gather the following:

• Fresh animal hide: The fresher the better. Ideally, you should begin the process within a day or two of the animal's death.
• Brain matter: From the same animal, this is the crucial tanning agent. Ensure it's thoroughly collected and stored properly.
• Sharp knife or scalpel: For precise fleshing and scraping.
• Fleshing beam: A sturdy, curved beam to work the hide against. Alternatively, a sturdy table will suffice.
• Wooden mallet or hammer: For breaking down the brain matter.
• Large container: To mix and soak the hide.
• Gloves: Protect your hands.
• Salt: For preserving the hide during the initial stages.
• Clean water: Plenty of it!
• Wooden slicker: For working the hide once the tanning process begins.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Preparation: Cleaning and Fleshing

• Remove Excess Flesh and Fat: Using your sharp knife, carefully remove all remaining flesh, fat, and membrane from the hide's flesh side. This is crucial for successful tanning. Work over the fleshing beam for optimal leverage.
• Salting the Hide: Liberally salt the flesh side of the hide. This helps to preserve it and draw out moisture, preventing bacterial growth. Allow it to salt for several days, turning occasionally.

2. Preparing the Brain Mixture:

• Clean the Brain: Carefully remove any blood clots or extraneous matter from the brain.
• Break Down the Brain: Place the brain in your container and add a small amount of water. Using your mallet or hammer, thoroughly break down the brain into a creamy consistency.

3. The Tanning Process:

• Soaking the Hide: Rinse the salt from the hide with clean water.
• Mixing Brain and Hide: Gently apply the brain mixture to the flesh side of the hide, working it in thoroughly with your hands (wearing gloves). Ensure the mixture evenly coats the entire surface.
• The Cure: Fold the hide flesh-side to flesh-side, and place it in a suitable container (plastic bag is recommended), allowing it to cure for 24-72 hours, depending on temperature and hide thickness.
• Work the Hide: After the cure, remove the hide and carefully work the brain mixture into the skin, stretching and flexing the hide to ensure even penetration.

4. Finishing Touches:

• Washing and rinsing: Rinse the hide thoroughly to remove any remaining brain matter.
• Softening and Stretching: Continue working the hide, stretching and softening it until it reaches the desired suppleness. This often requires several hours or even days of consistent work, depending on the hide’s thickness.
• Drying: Carefully and slowly dry the hide away from direct sunlight and heat. You can stretch it over a frame to prevent shrinkage or wrinkles. This is a critical step to avoid stiffness.
• Final softening: Once completely dry, carefully work the hide further to restore and maintain suppleness.

Troubleshooting and Tips:

• Off-odors: If you notice a persistent unpleasant odor, you might need to rewash and re-condition the hide.
• Stiffness: If the hide dries too quickly or is not worked enough, it will become stiff.
• Hair Loss: Be gentle throughout the process to avoid hair loss. Avoid harsh scrubbing and excessive stretching.

Brain tanning is a rewarding, albeit challenging, process. It requires patience and a willingness to learn. With careful attention to detail and adherence to these steps, you can successfully preserve a hide and maintain its natural beauty, resulting in a unique and lasting keepsake. Remember to always prioritize safety and handle sharp tools with care.