Uploaded October 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Hide tanning is one of the oldest professions on the planet. And for thousands of years, animal skins have been tanned using the natural tannins extracted from the bark and leaves of various plants. In this video, I'll show you how to make leather from animal skins using all natural methods, i.e. bark tanning. I'll start by showing how to flesh an elk or deer hide, then we'll use lime to remove the hair. For this tanning solution, I'm using Douglas Fir bark but there are many species that will work. Oak bark and Sumac leaves are both high in tannins as well. The tanning process takes several months depending on the thickness of the hide and the temperature. This elk hide took about 3 months. Once the tannins have penetrated all the way through the thickest parts of the skin, we'll oil and work the hide until it's dry. All-natural leather made with these ancient methods is useful for all kinds of leathercrafting projects. I'll make boots with this. If you're into gaming you might need to know how to make leather in Stranded Deep - not sure this'll help but at least you'll know how it's really done!
Don't forget to subscribe to the channel. We're uploading a new video each week that features one of the following topics: archery, bow hunting, bow building, survival skills, bushcraft, self reliance, primitive skills, primitive bows, hunting, camping, fishing, and a lot more!
Surviving Alone by Clay Hayes - amzn.to/3Qqou3l
Big thanks to our partners who help support these videos!
Backpacks - kifaru.net
Archery Gear - 3riversarchery.com
Tents & Tarps - seekoutside.com (enter clayhayes5 at checkout for 5% off!)
Binoculars - vortexoptics.com
Clothing - firstlite.com
You can also connect with me on my other media outlets!
Website: twistedstave.com
Facebook: facebook.com/clayhayeshunter
Instagram: instagram.com/clayhayeshunter
Patreon: patreon.com/clayhayes
Hide tanning is one of the oldest professions on the planet. And for thousands of years, animal skins have been tanned using the natural tannins extracted from the bark and leaves of various plants. In this video, I'll show you how to make leather from animal skins using all natural methods, i.e. bark tanning. I'll start by showing how to flesh an elk or deer hide, then we'll use lime to remove the hair. For this tanning solution, I'm using Douglas Fir bark but there are many species that will work. Oak bark and Sumac leaves are both high in tannins as well. The tanning process takes several months depending on the thickness of the hide and the temperature. This elk hide took about 3 months. Once the tannins have penetrated all the way through the thickest parts of the skin, we'll oil and work the hide until it's dry. All-natural leather made with these ancient methods is useful for all kinds of leathercrafting projects. I'll make boots with this. If you're into gaming you might need to know how to make leather in Stranded Deep - not sure this'll help but at least you'll know how it's really done!
Don't forget to subscribe to the channel. We're uploading a new video each week that features one of the following topics: archery, bow hunting, bow building, survival skills, bushcraft, self reliance, primitive skills, primitive bows, hunting, camping, fishing, and a lot more!
Surviving Alone by Clay Hayes - amzn.to/3Qqou3l
Big thanks to our partners who help support these videos!
Backpacks - kifaru.net
Archery Gear - 3riversarchery.com
Tents & Tarps - seekoutside.com (enter clayhayes5 at checkout for 5% off!)
Binoculars - vortexoptics.com
Clothing - firstlite.com
You can also connect with me on my other media outlets!
Website: twistedstave.com
Facebook: facebook.com/clayhayeshunter
Instagram: instagram.com/clayhayeshunter
Patreon: patreon.com/clayhayes
