any brain tanners on here from southern wi. something i allways wanted to do but was hopeing to see it done hands on.any input would be appreciated

I remember an article in the trapper and predator caller a few years back that explained the wole thing. Can't remember what issue it was, but I bet somebody on here knows.

The issue I just got had a small article on brain tanning/tanning in general. Cant recall the guys name but he did an article a while back about making his own beaver mittens. This was sort of a spin off of that article.

I do it, just started last year. made some buckin I will be making a vest out of. did a coon and beaver I made a hat out of. and another beaver im hooping for my wife. by no means an expert and im learning as I go. it can be a lot of work to get them soft, but imo its worth it. I also had a guy drop off a couple beaver to do and will be doing a coon or another guy.

How'd those coons turn out? Its been over a year, just curious if they're holding up.

I do a little brain tanning...lol.

They look great!

Looks like PA skinner is an expert. I've done some, and like most things, there are a few things to know that don't get told in the books and U-tube videos. You can get the info on all the basic steps from other sources but here are a couple of tips that may help.

When scraping you must get all of the membrane off the meat side of the hide for it to finish soft and supple.

When stretching you stretch until the hide is dry. The hide is dry when it is no longer cool to the touch (not just when it feels dry to your hand). If you stop too soon the hide will dry stiff and you will have to wet it and start the stretching process all over again.

If after finishing the process the hide is stiff because you didn't get all the membrane off just start back with removing the membrane and repeat the remaining parts of the process. Don't toss the hide, it is still good and can be finished properly.

Any hide that will be used in an application where it might get wet (leggings, shirt, mocs, etc) must be smoked.

How do you fix up the brains for tanning?

I kinda braintan for a living, actually, so I was being a wise guy when I said I do a little.
My site: http://braintanner.com
I prefer to boil the brains. Then you can either put them in a sock or cloth bag and squeeze the juice out,about one lb of brain per gallon warm water, or you can go a step farther and dry them, chop them in blender and then add to water, makes it a bit more concentrated.
If in a hurry, I've often just blended the raw brains and added to warm water. It works. Getting the blood out by boiling works a bit better and drying is better yet, but I'm just fussy because I do so many hides.

You have a great looking site! Very professionally and modernly done for a "backwoods" guy

thanks! I have professional help with the site.

Turned out great! Made a hat with tail face and ear flaps. Kept me warm all winter long, some days the hay was too warm to wear. The best part about the hat is it gets a lot of attention! I wore it to my now yearly trapping presentation to the local 4th graders and they loved it. I'd post a pic but my phone won't let me- will try tomorrow

I blend mine with warm water, about 1/2&1/2. I might be overdoing it but since pa lives too far away to get professional hands on experience from I just have to wing it. I'd rather have it too thick than too light.

Pa- that is some Awsome buckskin work. I tried it out 2 years ago. It turned out ok(good for first try) but no where near your quality of course! I didn't have a frame to lace mine up in so did all the breaking over a cable. Maybe next season I'll have a frame together and give it another try.

Great website, and even better work btw

The first couple hundred are the hardest, but no matter how proficient you get at it, it's always work. I would like to do a video, been planning to for years, but I don't want just another how to. I want to go into trouble shooting, maybe some bark tanning and fur tanning too.

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PAskinner, I have a hide that's been in a freezer two years. I followed Matt's book all the way through the braintan. I rung it out an froze it with intentions on softening/ drying it later. I'm about ready to pull it out and finish it. Should I go ahead and make a frame, or is softening over a cable and by hand OK for this one? I may do more in the future. Making a frame will be no problem, just looking for an opinion on the best and/or easiest way to soften. Best and easiest, is that an oxymoron?

here are the pictures

here is a beaver I did. obviously since it is hooped I wasn't worried about getting real soft