Animal hides for bushcraft?

[HHazeldean]

I was wondering which hides other people have and which are best for bushcraft and why.

I personally have sheepskins, 2 reindeer hides and a kangaroo hide along with possum and rabbit.

Also, what do some people use theirs for.

Cheers

 

[Martti]

From what I have tested, reindeer hides are perhaps the best for sleeping pads. They're also the cheapest option here in Finland.

 

[HHazeldean]

I reckon that the Reindeer hides are the best for sleeping as they are incredibly warm and comfortable.

 

[SimonM]

2 x reindeer hides used for:

• lining my hammock
• covering my chair
• sleeping on
• freaking out a Scout's sister who picked up the bag they were in, whilst helping to move stuff to our camp...:yikes:

Simon

 

[HHazeldean]

I always tend to get quite anal over the reindeer hide and I don't like the hairs going in the wrong direction. It also sheds LOADS of hairs which is annoying. Mine is on the floor of my room and the carpet is covered in hairs, therefore my clothes are also covered in hairs.

 

[Martti]

It also sheds LOADS of hairs which is annoying.

I guess yours is tanned? Generally only untanned ones are used as pads in here as they retain the hairs much better.

 

[HHazeldean]

Would an untanned hide not rot?

 

[Dreadhead]

i use a spotted deer hide as a mat for resting by the fire (beware embers!) or for sleeping on

 

[Martti]

Would an untanned hide not rot?

No if you keep it dry.

 

[Tengu]

Sheepskins ideal for sitting on in a tent (So I can use the stool as a table)

 

[Husky]

I always tend to get quite anal over the reindeer hide and I don't like the hairs going in the wrong direction. It also sheds LOADS of hairs which is annoying. Mine is on the floor of my room and the carpet is covered in hairs, therefore my clothes are also covered in hairs.

In sweden I have heard saami refer to different types of reindeer hides as "the ones we use" and "the ones we sell to tourists". The latter being often summer hides that are soft and look pretty but don't take wear. Be careful when buying hides in tourist shops.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

I would have thought they would be too heavy to carry for any long distance, though the thought of my tent floor, adorned with casually thrown reindeer hides, is a very attractive one.

 

[HHazeldean]

They are too bulky for long distance travel on foot imo because of the fact that they are heavy and they don't fold up too small. I only use them when camping fairly close to the car or not too far a walk away.

Regarding the tourist hides and 'proper' hides, mine were bought from Nordic Outdoors and it was the siliconed hide, I don't know what the quality difference would be or where to get the 'proper' hides.

 

[Dreadhead]

i wrap my wool blanket in my hides, works fine as a bedroll tae pack on top the rucksack, and never found them too heavy either. each tae his own i suppose...

 

[HHazeldean]

Does anyone use any hides other than reindeer/deer for bushcraft as it seems to be by far the most popular choice?