Moose bone fleshing tool

[bb07]

I'd like to show an old fleshing tool, made from the leg bone of a moose, for the purpose of fleshing hides. This is a traditional tool still in use today by native peoples, though has been replaced for the most part by metal tools in many areas. This particular tool is of Dene http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dene origin.

Note the teeth filed onto the angled edge

 

[forestwalker]

I have one pretty much like that one, and I like it quite a bit.

 

[lannyman8]

looks good......

 

[16ga]

I know a couple of old trappers that still prefer this tool over modern ones.

 

[bb07]

I have one pretty much like that one, and I like it quite a bit.

Do you use it regularly?

 

[forestwalker]

Do you use it regularly?

I'ved not been tanning hides much lately, but it works. I hope to get my hands on a few moose calfs or deer (hides) this fall, and braintan them. I'll probably use that scraper most of the time, perhaps I'll make a "drawknife" style scraper from another moose cannon bone and use both of them. I have lately been more and more into doing things in a "paleo" manner...

 

[bb07]

Sounds like you've got lots of work (very hard work, I might add!) ahead of you.:wow1:

 

[forestwalker]

Sounds like you've got lots of work (very hard work, I might add!) ahead of you.:wow1:

Ideally I want to braintan enought hides for a full set of clothing (summer); shirt, loincloth, leggins (or pants), moccasins. I have a shirt, but it really should be extended to be a bit longer. And an Ötzi style belt if I go the loincloth road...

The reason is actually fairly simple; next summer I want to take a one-two week hike, with just paleolithical level equipment. I've done 10 days just clothes ("modern", i.e. viking age), so I figure trying to do something with just paleolithical level gear would be a nice challenge. Pants is more socially acceptable and give better mosquito protection, but the loin-cloth+leggins path is more accurate for paleolitic era and is convenient when fording a stream. And Ötzis belt is something I want to try out.