How to tan a deer hide with brains?

When most of us think of tanning deer hides, the images that pop into our mind are of dry and hard tanned hides. While the process of brain tanning does result in a hard finish, the process of preparing the rawhide for brain tanning softens the skin and makes it supple. Therefore, when the skin is stretched to dry on a frame, it will retain its shape.

How to tan a deer hide with brains and water?

So, you want to tan a deer hide with brain? Not only can brain help the skin take on a darker color it also helps to preserve the leather. If you do not use water it will take longer for the skin to dry. If you use water, the skin will dry a lot faster and will shrink a little. If you do not add water your finished product will be a little darker and thinner.

How to tan a deer hide with blood and water?

The most common way to tan a deer hide is to dip it in a solution of water and animal brains. This method is also known as “steeping.” You can also use the blood of other animals, such as a cow. This process is quite simple and can be done at home. In addition, it does not take much time. You just need to prepare the solution and place the skin in it for a few days.

How to tan a deer hide without blood?

If you plan to tan a deer skin with the brain still inside, you’ll need to remove the brain first. You can do this by boiling the brain in water for about 20 minutes, then peeling off the softened membranes. Once the brain is clean, remove any remaining brain matter and the sinew, then tan the skin at the same temperature and for the same length of time as before.

How to tan deer hide with other hide tanning methods?

If you want to learn how to tan raw deer hide without brain tanning, check out our other tanning methods. These include dry curing, salt tanning, and smoke tanning. Dry curing is the process of tanning a raw hide using salt and sun exposure. This method works best on thicker, warmer-weather hides. Hides treated with dry curing do not shrink significantly and are less susceptible to cracking. Dry curing is the most inexpensive option for tanning raw deer hides.