Wet Scraping

Steven Edholm and Tamara Wilder have a book out on Wet-scrape called Wet-Scrape Braintanned Buckskin: A practical Guide to Home Tanning and Use ISBN 0-9654965-4-6 pr send $17.95 plus $3.00 postage to Paleotechnics, Box 876, Boonville, CA 95415. Wet-scrape uses a dull blade to dehair the hide while it is draped over a beam. Wet-scraped hides are usually pulled soft (kind of like pulling taffy), and the hides are not put in a rack at all. Dry-scrapers and Wet-scrapers don't necessarily see eye-to-eye. Each camp tends to think theirs is the better way. You will have to decide that for yourself. I have written extensively on wet-scrape in my Field Guide to Primitive Living Skills, available for $20 (includes postage). Most of the hide-tanning section appeared as a two part article in BackHome magazine. If you are interested in "wet-scrape", we sell the video Tanning Spirit by Melvin Beattie for $40 (includes postage).

Thomas J. Elpel
[email protected]
Hollowtop Outdoor Primitive School, Box 691, Pony, MT 59747-0691
1-406-685-3222