salmon skin as a possible material

[1234]

has anyone ever used salmon skin as a material
i remember watching something somewhere about a little fishing community that used to use it to make boots etc ( basically in place of leather)
im not sure about the tanning process and whatnot
i would like to give it a go, just an idea at the moment, make a little filleting knife with a salmon skin sheath
will google it latter today but thought i would ask all the crafters on here
anybody else heard of this? any info you could send my way? maybe a few websites/guides etc, input/opinions/feedback from using it etc etc

thanks
1234

 

[FGYT]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=salmon+skin+leather

lot of it about

http://www.sealeatherwear.com/fish-leather-tanning.php

 

[1234]

i said i would google it latter
thanks for the link

reading that process it sounds quite complicated

 

[bilmo-p5]

Reasonable enough I suppose. After all, Hush Puppies are basically pork scratchings.

 

[Toddy]

In the Medieval period (and presumably before) salmon skin was used to make cagoules.

cheers,
Toddy

 

[brancho]

also used for making waterproof gloves as

 

[gorilla]

if anyone needs any skin let me know - i skin about 50 salmon every day at work, and they just go in the bin

 

[Miyagi]

This is interesting hmmm. I'd never have thought of Salmon skin being used like that. I'd have thought Salmon skin was too soft and easily torn?

It shouldn't surprise me though, as Katana handles (tsuka) are, or used to be, wrapped in Ray or Shark skin - called "something" Make, can't think offhand - before the handle was bound, due to these skins being rough, tough and "grippy".

 

[Everything Mac]

I have heard of it being used at door hinges and on flails.

- It is rather tough.

Andy

 

[Miyagi]

I have heard of it being used at door hinges and on flails.

- It is rather tough.

Andy

Cheers Andy, I never knew that.

Thanks mate

Liam

 

[Toddy]

MacAlpin came to the meeting to decide on who should be the new High King, and in that finely dressed company he came ashore wearing a jacket of salmon skins.

Guess who the Scots chose as the new King ?

The man wearing his cagoule

D'you think he knew the weather ?

M

 

[Tengu]

I think it was eel skins they used on flails

 

[1234]

if anyone needs any skin let me know - i skin about 50 salmon every day at work, and they just go in the bin

hi gorilla
thats a very kind offer which i might take you up once i know how to tan the skins and find a way of getting them (living just outside london, and i dont drive)

been googling tonight but haven't had that much luck finding out how to ( maybe i lack googling skills)
found lots of places that sell it but it seams to be a trade secret surrounding the tanning process
only found a book, but its in Swedish which means i would have to translate it word for word
and found 1 process on a forum which was not tried and tested, its a process used for snake skin which a skinner thinks might work for salmon, im not to sure if it would work on the smell aspect though, im sure snakes dont smell like fish
will have another look tomorrow

thanks
1234

 

[Galemys]

Here's a thread that might be of interest:
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17289&highlight=diederik

Cheers,

Tom

 

[Hedgehog]

Funny this should surface (ho, ho, ho.).

A friend recently told me about a tanning camp he'd been on in Sweden, someone there tanned a fish skin that had been 'peeled' completely intact. They used it as a pouch or purse of some sort.

I'll see if I can find out more about it.

 

[1234]

@Galemys
thanks for that link
@Hedgehog
the book i mentioned (published in Swedish) was from a tanning company in Sweden who offer courses in tanning
http://www.lottasgarveri.se/English.html
could this be the same place? long shot i know

 

[Hedgehog]

@Hedgehog
the book i mentioned (published in Swedish) was from a tanning company in Sweden who offer courses in tanning
http://www.lottasgarveri.se/English.html
could this be the same place? long shot i know

Looks quite likely to me, there is a page about fish tanning...
http://www.lottasgarveri.se/Fishskin.html

I'll ask.

 

[Hedgehog]

Spoke to my friend the other day. He & his group of 'tanning' friends are largely self taught. I'll see if I can get a recipe for the fish tanning via him, it may take a while though.

 

[Hedgehog]

My mate doesn't know the method used during the camp he was on but there is a little more information here...

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/34478/t/Tanning-Fish.html

 

[psy.]

Looks quite likely to me, there is a page about fish tanning...
http://www.lottasgarveri.se/Fishskin.html

I'll ask.

Yes it is her - at least she has written a book about tanning fish skins. The book is shown on the page as well.

I have that book, but never got around to try tanning myself. Maybe this summer I'll catch something

ETA: I will post a few recipies in the following days, can't do it right now.