Skins......as in Sheep

Latest Articles

Skins......as in Sheep
Page 1, 2 Next

Downsizer Forum Index -> Make Your Own/DIY

Author

Message

Faithmead

Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 1228
Location: Carmarthenshire/Pembrokeshire border

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 10:08 am Post subject: Skins......as in Sheep
We're finishing some lambs beginning of October, and I thought this time, that I'd get the Skins back and get them 'Tanned' / 'Cured' (whatever). I'm guessing this is not something I could do myself or is it ? Anyone done any

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 11:41 am Post subject:
In principle this method should work fine, but you need to be able to set enough time aside to work the skins as they dry, and with sheep the important bit is not matting the wool as you do it https://forum.downsizer.net/about3498.html

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 11:44 am Post subject:
I am considering doing one of ours as well. This is based on the bit in Sally's instructions which says that the skin can be left (abandoned) for quite a long time without coming to any harm. (Or there is a thread on here that I started where a tannery is recommended. I would send them off if I was doing more than one.)

Mrs R

Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 11:45 am Post subject:
I'm finding it very possible, but a long and tedious process.

Cathryn

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 11:57 am Post subject:
You're doing something large aren't you?

Mrs R

Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 11:59 am Post subject:
not huge - red deer and calf

BadgerFace

Joined: 25 Mar 2009
Posts: 915
Location: Sussex

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 12:28 pm Post subject:
Has anyone used acorns for tanning ? I have a vague memory of reading somewhere about American Indians using acorns for hide tanning. We have a bumper crop of acorns this year, and I would like to try tanning some Badger (lamb) skins.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46340
Location: yes

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 4:30 pm Post subject:
plant acorns oak bark from firewood is ok but wasp galls are ace,a handful for a hare ,roadkill, and scaled up i recon a bucket would do a sheep or deer scraping is the time eating job

Mrs R

Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 7202

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 5:02 pm Post subject:
READ ME

Bulgarianlily

Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Posts: 1667
Location: South West Mountains of Bulgaria

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 5:38 pm Post subject:
I used to use parafin for sheepskins, it was an old wartime method.

Sherbs

Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Posts: 1931
Location: Swansea

Posted: Tue Sep 22, 09 8:35 pm Post subject:
I seem to recall it being very messy and very smelly but eminently possible

BadgerFace

Joined: 25 Mar 2009
Posts: 915
Location: Sussex

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 09 8:34 am Post subject:
I do have a fair amount of oak galls so it is a possibility. Very interesting link, Ixy. thanks

Faithmead

Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 1228
Location: Carmarthenshire/Pembrokeshire border

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 09 7:20 pm Post subject:

GULP - wow, thanks all. I've read and re-read the info supplied by SallyinWales.....and although I think "yeah, I can do that"....I also know that 'time' will probably be my downfall

I think I'd better send them off somewhere - and Fenland Sheepskins has been recommended.....although there is absolutely no indication of price....GULP, GULP and DOUBLE GULP.

thanks again......maybe next year will find more time in my calendar

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 09 8:52 pm Post subject:
Let me know if you find that time, I could sure use some!

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Thu Sep 24, 09 10:58 am Post subject:

Very timely thread for us - as soon as we have more time

then we will be tanning two sheep skins we salted back in the Spring.

So far, brought them back from the abattoir, rubbed lots of salt on them on the same day, pegged them to a washing line in a draughty outbuilding. They did an interesting mix of slowly drying and dripping. Misty days they dripped more than dried. After a week or so we found they were pretty much dry - including when you felt the skin at the base of the wool - as in stuff your fingers into the wool. (Make sure your fingers aren't salty or then you start getting water coming onto the salt in the wool.) Then we folded the salty side together and rolled the skin up loosely, put them in several well sealed bin liners, put those bin liners in another bin liner with one of the drawer dessicant bags a friend had given us, and that in a plastic crate which went in the cool spare bedroom. Not taken them out in - ooh - about six months - but lifted the lid yesterday and there is a sheep smell but no smell of rot. So as long as it is cool and you can your sheepskins dry, don't see why you can't store them for a bit. Main thing is keeping off egg laying flies. (Not had anyone come to stay in the spare room either........)

We salted the skin of a brought in by the cat bunny years and years ago and occasionally open the biscuit tin to find out what is in it, go Oh, the bunny skin, and put the lid back down. Stiff as a board, not gone off at all. One day.......

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Make Your Own/DIY	All times are GMT Page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

View Latest Posts