Thanks. I made micarta a few years back and decided to just buy the ready made scales. If you're set up properly it wouldn't be too bad though.
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Squirrel knife!
- Thread starter moodyblues
- Start date
Jim seems we field dress squirrels the same way, fast and clean. Works out great if you're not planning on saving the hides. The Fiskars I use are the small (6") trimming scissors. They do a great job looping off the feet, head, tail, and especially convenient for splitting the pelvis. Try-em, you'll like-em!
Cheers
Cheers
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Sasquatch,
Don't know what formula you use to tan your squirrel hides, but some 53 years ago I tanned hides and ran I trap line as a hobby. The sulfuric acid bath method I used worked great, with hair on or off, turned hide light brown color. If hide is slipping you may be leaving in solution too long or too much contact with salt on perhaps a wet hide. I used salt on a dry hide and often borax on hide for temporary preservation, though after so many years my mind is somewhat vague, do remember I had fun though!
Another method used was an alum recipe used as a paste on hide side, took a little longer and worked a little harder at making it supple, but was a clean job with the hide turning out very white in color.
This brings back a lot of good memories for me! Would love to see pictures of your tanned hides!
Cheers
Don't know what formula you use to tan your squirrel hides, but some 53 years ago I tanned hides and ran I trap line as a hobby. The sulfuric acid bath method I used worked great, with hair on or off, turned hide light brown color. If hide is slipping you may be leaving in solution too long or too much contact with salt on perhaps a wet hide. I used salt on a dry hide and often borax on hide for temporary preservation, though after so many years my mind is somewhat vague, do remember I had fun though!
Another method used was an alum recipe used as a paste on hide side, took a little longer and worked a little harder at making it supple, but was a clean job with the hide turning out very white in color.
This brings back a lot of good memories for me! Would love to see pictures of your tanned hides!
Cheers
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