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Main Boards => Hunting Knives and Crafters => Topic started by: RGKulas on January 02, 2017, 04:17:00 PM

Title: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: RGKulas on January 02, 2017, 04:17:00 PM
My brother traps and got a beaver. He tanned it himself and wants a pair of chopper mitts. Since the hide was not professionally tanned its not been thinned and its not as soft or pliable as I would like but the fur is great.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav1_zps8vztbena.jpg)

In the picture below, the head is to the left. The thickest part of the hide is near the neck and down the spine. Its thinner at the belly so each mitten will have varying thickness unless the leather is thinned.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav2_zpszipfsfle.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav3_zpsu9hx2j7p.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav4_zpsumpjyobx.jpg)

The thickest portion is nearly a 1/4 inch. Your seeing the finger tip area (thickest) and the thin part is from the other mitt in the wrist area. These thicknesses need to be the same or the mittens will be too stiff.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav5_zpsilwzp8l6.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav66_zpsznad9iod.jpg)

Thinning and oiling makes the hide a bit more flexible but the hide is not as flexible as a professional tanner would make them.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav7_zps43mkw9ry.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav8_zpsrguopwyp.jpg)
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: RGKulas on January 02, 2017, 04:18:00 PM
(http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav9_zpsale1jfeq.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav91_zps0hfekjpk.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav92_zpstvdtjwkg.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav93_zps43qs9nc8.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav94_zpsslyczlex.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav95_zpsgsrl6wv8.jpg)

Then the two halves are sewn together inside out.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav96_zpsl53y439a.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav98_zpscmxx1jdt.jpg)
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: RGKulas on January 02, 2017, 04:19:00 PM
(http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav97_zps5swlwkl5.jpg)

With the aid of time and a broom handle they are turned right side out. Its delicate work not to damage the hair.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav99_zpsizceu9bf.jpg)

I made the liners for the mittens using polar-tech fleece. Its thick and warm and soft.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav991_zpsclqvfqn2.jpg)

Here my hand model wears them.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav992_zpsfyymypwi.jpg)

The liners are inserted into the mittens and my hand model shows how the finished mittens look. They are heavy and thick and warm. They should last a long time.

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav993_zpsemaumv3e.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav995_zpss4ybcev7.jpg)

 (http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b452/staysharpguide/beav994_zpsbz6f85w8.jpg)
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: TOEJAMMER on January 02, 2017, 04:58:00 PM
Fantastic.  You are one talented person.  Your brother must have treated you right growing up.
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: RGKulas on January 02, 2017, 06:05:00 PM
He was a dink (only kidding) but he is a brick/block mason and pretty good at it and I need my chimney worked on.
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: Al Dente on January 02, 2017, 06:52:00 PM
They look awesome.  Beautiful work.  Very well done.  He should be pleased.
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: Over&Under on January 03, 2017, 07:25:00 AM
I'm extremely impressed with this build...well done sir!
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: ron w on January 03, 2017, 12:33:00 PM
Beautiful.......
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: Hopewell Tom on January 03, 2017, 05:24:00 PM
Holy smokes !!

What a dandy, well done. They look fantastic.
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: bjansen on January 03, 2017, 09:51:00 PM
Outstanding work.  Thanks for the build along!
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: Lin Rhea on January 04, 2017, 11:28:00 AM
That's beautiful leather work. I enjoyed seeing it.
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: just_a_hunter on January 04, 2017, 11:06:00 PM
Those are very cool!

Todd
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: flyflinger on January 05, 2017, 06:12:00 AM
Amazing work.
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: FerretWYO on January 06, 2017, 09:50:00 AM
Those are awesome
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: Orion on January 11, 2017, 03:23:00 PM
Very nicely done.     :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: GRAYBEARD on February 03, 2017, 08:20:00 AM
Beautiful work and very interesting process. Thanks for the tour!
Title: Re: Beaver and elk hide project
Post by: Sant-Ravenhill on April 04, 2017, 07:55:00 PM
Great combination of beaver and elk. Stunning work; thanks for sharing!