Buckskins

[santaman2000]

Anybody here wear buckskins/ Do you make your own? If not, where do you get them? Got any pix?

 

[sasquatch]

I've always wanted to make a buckskin shirt but it's too expensive to buy even with Tandy membership and I don't have the space/time to prepare my own. It's something I'll do oneday, been on my list of things to do for ages. If you have any pics please share, can't beat a bit of mountain man apparel...

 

[santaman2000]

I wish I had pix. Or a set of buckskins for that matter. I'm in the same boat you are though; lack of time, space, money, etc. That's one reason I started the thread, to see if anybody had any ideas how to do this affordably and see who else is into it. Maybe we'll get lucky yet.

 

[sasquatch]

I'd stink the whole neigbourhood out if I prepared my own, my mid terrace garden is tiny with more houses backing onto it. I keep checking the sales at Tandy, they sometimes have decent prices on buckskin but you need a lot and it's still expensive. Just a case of having the money handy when the right sale comes up for me. It will happen oneday!

I admit to being a bit sad, I enjoy leatherwork and I've done my son a set of proper spurs and gunslinging belt with holsters as he loves cowboys, and I'd love to have a go at a set of shotgun chaps and buckskin shirt complete with some cowboy cuffs to finish it off. I don't know when I'd ever get to wear it though. A buckskin shirt would be fine with bushcraft garb but the rest wouldn't see the light of day...

 

[forestwalker]

I have one, and use it at times. Good points; windproof, strong. Bad points; absorbs water like a sponge.

 

[sasquatch]

I have one, and use it at times. Good points; windproof, strong. Bad points; absorbs water like a sponge.

Ya I've heard they're no good in the rain, I'd only bother with one in the spring and summer and layer up in the wet. Did you buy yours or make it yourself? Any chance of a picture wearing it? Image wise I think they bring a real touch of class to camping.

 

[santaman2000]

I'm like you. For the most part I'd never get to wear them but I just want a set. Maybe one day I can make it to a Rendevous.

 

[TeeDee]

Theres a bit in here ( sorry ..it sprawls! ) about us making Buckskin

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45644&highlight=hunter+gatherer

I think it;s Rob(?) who wears a Buckskin Suit for alot of his courses.

http://www.wilderness121.co.uk/eshop/xcart/product.php?productid=16202&cat=0&page=1&featured


And Joe from WSS is a big Buckskin fan

http://www.wilderness-survival.co.uk/hide-working-and-moccasins/


HTH

 

[forestwalker]

When I did mine I lived in an apartment. Soaked on the balcony in bucket, used a piece of 150 mm plastic pipe as a log to scrape on , carried the whole setup into the woods by going on a commuter train and walking 20 min. Quite doable, no major stink.

 

[sasquatch]

When I did mine I lived in an apartment. Soaked on the balcony in bucket, used a piece of 150 mm plastic pipe as a log to scrape on , carried the whole setup into the woods by going on a commuter train and walking 20 min. Quite doable, no major stink.

That's food for thought, if it can be done on a balcony it can be done anywhere. Nice one, A for effort!

Thanks for the links Teedee, the guy at 121 certainly looks authentic!

 

[woof]

There was something similar on ebay recently, made by orvis, it could still be a stock item.

Rob

 

[Sola Scriptura]

First off the leather Tandy sells as buckskin is chemical tan not true brain tan which is like comparing apples and oranges.
Real braintan that is properly smoked is more water repellent and Isn't clammy like chemical tan. Also brain tan will soften up easily when you dry it.
If you live in town or a flat the dry scrape method can be used it doesn't involve letting the hide soak so it can start to brake down I also like it in the winter when water soaked hides freeze to your scraping post.
Dry scrape is still messy as the hair can get everywher but the funk factor is much lower.

 

[sasquatch]

First off the leather Tandy sells as buckskin is chemical tan not true brain tan which is like comparing apples and oranges.
Real braintan that is properly smoked is more water repellent and Isn't clammy like chemical tan. Also brain tan will soften up easily when you dry it.
If you live in town or a flat the dry scrape method can be used it doesn't involve letting the hide soak so it can start to brake down I also like it in the winter when water soaked hides freeze to your scraping post.
Dry scrape is still messy as the hair can get everywher but the funk factor is much lower.

Thanks for all the info, I had no idea the properties were different between what Tandy sell and what you do yourself. I always thought it would be a similar process used but obviously not. I'm definately after the smoked process for the soft texture after drying, can't beat the real deal. I guess I'm best to start talking to someone that shoots. Cheers!

 

[woof]

There's a"dress" on the bay.

Rob

 

[santaman2000]

First off the leather Tandy sells as buckskin is chemical tan not true brain tan which is like comparing apples and oranges.
Real braintan that is properly smoked is more water repellent and Isn't clammy like chemical tan. Also brain tan will soften up easily when you dry it.
If you live in town or a flat the dry scrape method can be used it doesn't involve letting the hide soak so it can start to brake down I also like it in the winter when water soaked hides freeze to your scraping post.
Dry scrape is still messy as the hair can get everywher but the funk factor is much lower.

I'll add my thanks to Sasquatch's. I like Tandy for a lot of products but I guess buckskin won't be one of them.