A "green" hide is one that has been removed from the animal but has not yet been tanned. Tanning takes many forms and one of the most common methods - and one of the most environmentally conscious methods - -is that of brain tanning. While brain tanning is both a labor-intensive and challenging method, it also results in a soft and supple hide that is suitable for many purposes. In addition, brain tanning has the advantage of being "green;" it does not utilize harmful chemicals in the tanning process.
Instructions
Prepare the Hide
1. Fill container with cool water sufficient to cover the hide completely.
2. Soak the hide in cool water for two days. Change water twice daily, once in the morning and once at night.
3. Remove the hide from the water. Press or squeeze excess water from the hide. Do not wring!
4. Scrape the flesh and fat from the hide. According to the Native Art in Canada website, this step can be done with the hide resting across a wide log and is best accomplished with a deer leg bone or blunt iron flesher.
5. Stretch the hide. Traditionally, a frame of wooden poles or poles stuck upright into the ground is used for this process. Lace the hide between the frame poles using the rawhide or parachute cord and needle. Prepare holes as needed around the edge of the hide using the awl, if desired.
Prepare the Brains
6. Cover the brain in water and boil. When the brain is cooked through, remove it from the water. Do not throw out the water!
7. Mash the brains into a smooth paste.
8. Thin the paste with the reserved water until it can easily spread on the smooth part of the hide.
9. Add the optional oil, tannin or ash to the brains at this time, if desired. According to the Native American Deerskin Dressing site, these additives extended the brain solution and were often used to soften hide, improve its feel, or to improve the penetration of the brain solution by breaking down the mucus membranes in the skin.
Tan the Hide
10. Apply the brain solution to the leather side of the hide. Massage the solution thoroughly into the hide. Do not allow the brain solution to come into contact with the hair side of the hide if the hair is to remain on the hide after tanning.
11. Repeat the process of application and massaging the brain solution into the hair side of the hide. Do so, however, only if the hair is going to be removed from the hide.
12. Remove the hide from the frame or poles.
13. Store the hide for 24 hours, allowing the brain solution to soak in as needed.
14. Return the hide to the frame or poles.
15. Scrape the hide, removing all flesh and fat. Scrape the hair from the hide at this time, if it is to be removed.
Smoke the Hide
16. Dig a shallow fire pit approximately 18 inches in circumference.
17.Prepare a small teepee-style frame over the pit. The hide can also be suspended over the pit using a pole set into the ground or hung from a sturdy tree branch.
18. Build a smoky fire in the pit.
19. Hang the hide over the smoke until it is colored from the smoke. Do not remove the hide until the smoke has entirely penetrated it and it is colored throughout.
Tags: brain solution, from hide, brain tanning, frame poles, side hide, According Native