Tanning Hides Step-by-Step
There are multiple methods for tanning a hide, but for long-lasting results brain tanning will convert your raw hide into easily workable leather. The process of brain tanning a hide takes six days along with hours of manual labor, but the results of brain tanning your hide will give you a soft, beautiful hide that's suitable for any use.
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Tools
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In order to tan your hide you'll need to have a few materials on hand, including two kitchen-sized garbage pails for holding the tanning solution and hides; a fleshing beam and hide stretching frame; and parachute cord cut into 5-foot lengths for hide lacings. For working the hide you'll need a scraper, paddles, a heavy spoon, pumice, utility knife and brain mixture. For safety as well as the mess you should wear rubber gloves and high-top rubber boots. It's also a good idea to keep some disinfectant soap on hand as well as hydrogen peroxide in case of cuts or scrapes.
Preparing the Hide
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Choose a fresh hide that has as few holes or cuts from killing and skinning as possible. Flesh and dehair the hide before tanning by soaking the hide submerged overnight. Lay the hide on your fleshing beam, hair-side down and use the scraper to remove any flesh from the hide, returning it to soak for another night before using the scraper to remove the hair. Cut your lacing holes into the hide around the edges far enough from the edges so the lace does not pull through while you're stretching the hide, and sew up any holes.
Blend 1 lb. of pork brains in a kitchen blender and then mix with 4 gallons warm water for your brain mixture. Submerge your hide overnight in the brain mixture and then hang it up to dry on an outside line. You can hang the hide sideways when drying as this will begin the stretching process. When dry, submerge overnight in cold water.
Stretching the Hide
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Remove from cold water and while wet, lace the hide into the hide frame for pre-stretching. Work the hide dry using the heavy spoon, drawing the spoon over the surface toward the edge until it begins to turn whitish. When the hide begins to sag in the center, tighten the laces to stretch it further and flip the frame to work on the other side of the hide. Continue this process until the hide is dried and the entire surface has turned whitish.
Finishing the Hide
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Take your hide down from the frame and smoke it for several hours using cedar chips. Your smoking time may vary depending on temperature and the design of your smoking chamber. After you've smoked the hide, immediately place it into a brain solution. Take a metal band, like those found around stacks of lumber, and attach it vertically to a tree so that the band has room to run the hide through. After an hour in the brain solution, work the hide through the band, opening the fibers for the solution to soak into. Place the hide back into the solution and submerge overnight.
Wring your hide dry and lace it into the frame, working it over as you did during the stretching process, drying it out. Once dried, work over any rough areas on the flesh side with the pumice stone, and then leave it on the frame overnight before going over it once more with a paddle to relax it, followed by removing from the frame. You can store the hide as is, or smoke it again to add a bit of color.
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