Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Refinishing two bark tanned hides in two different ways. One soft and supple and one flat and more firm. the skins are prepared in two different ways ahead of the final breaking and finishing. ( playlist for this series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60FnyEY-eJBsE5mbHhW2gQMILnndQN9o)
These are the two most common ways that I finish medium sized vegetable tanned skins, like goat, sheep and deer. If you want very soft supple leather, the skin must be worked periodically until it is dry to make it fluffy and flexible. If you want the skin flat and less pliable, it's best to start by drying the skin flat and then damping it back before gently finishing with rolling, but no stretching. A way I use a lot to stretch the skin flat is by pasting it to a board with animal fat and allowing it to dry. This method offers an opportunity to flatten and smooth the skin using a slicking tool, and remove most of the wrinkles. The leather should then be dried slowly so that it shrinks minimally and the oils have time to seep into the fibers of the hide as the water leaves. In the next video, I will finish this skin out.
Support on patreon.com/skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Silky f180 saw: amzn.to/3yZzM71
ARS 10 foot long reach pruner: amzn.to/3esETmM
Victorinox grafting/floral knife: amzn.to/3Jki1E9
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: youtube.com/skillcult/subscribe Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
Refinishing two bark tanned hides in two different ways. One soft and supple and one flat and more firm. the skins are prepared in two different ways ahead of the final breaking and finishing. ( playlist for this series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60FnyEY-eJBsE5mbHhW2gQMILnndQN9o)
These are the two most common ways that I finish medium sized vegetable tanned skins, like goat, sheep and deer. If you want very soft supple leather, the skin must be worked periodically until it is dry to make it fluffy and flexible. If you want the skin flat and less pliable, it's best to start by drying the skin flat and then damping it back before gently finishing with rolling, but no stretching. A way I use a lot to stretch the skin flat is by pasting it to a board with animal fat and allowing it to dry. This method offers an opportunity to flatten and smooth the skin using a slicking tool, and remove most of the wrinkles. The leather should then be dried slowly so that it shrinks minimally and the oils have time to seep into the fibers of the hide as the water leaves. In the next video, I will finish this skin out.
Support on patreon.com/skillcult has been critical in keeping me experimenting and making content. If you want to help me help others, this is probably the best way to do it. Thank you Patrons for supporting the mission!
Buy less, but buy it through my links! Shopping through my affiliate links generates revenue for me, at no extra cost to you, click links here, or go to my Amazon Store page: skillcult.com/amazon-store But seriously, buy less, do more.
Standard gear I recommend. I either use or have used all of it.
Council Tool Boys Axe: amzn.to/3z0muqI
Bahco Farmer's File: amzn.to/3Hbdhij
King two sided sharpening stone: amzn.to/32EX1XC
Silky f180 saw: amzn.to/3yZzM71
ARS 10 foot long reach pruner: amzn.to/3esETmM
Victorinox grafting/floral knife: amzn.to/3Jki1E9
Wiebe 12” fleshing tool: amzn.to/3sB0qSl
Atlas Elbow Gloves: amzn.to/3FwB5g6
BOOKS:
The Axe Book, by Dudley Cook: amzn.to/32kx7sN
Bushcraft, by Mors Kochanski: amzn.to/32q2rpT
Subscribe to my channel for more insightful Self Reliance related content: youtube.com/skillcult/subscribe Click the bell icon to be notified of new content. Subscribing doesn’t mean that much on it’s own.
Blog and website: skillcult.com/blog
Instagram and Facebook @SkillCult
