smelly buck skin

[Kent Shootwell]

I got some German tanned buck skin that I intend to make a shirt out of. I like every thing about the hides except they smell fishy. The sells lady says that is normale due to the process they use. I tryed washing one (soap and in the machine then dryer on low) to no effect, it's still soft and such but the smell didn't change. I'd like to not try covering the smell but at least reduce it a lot. Any one dealt with this befor?

[GunClick Rick]

Smoke "em"

[ChuckBurrows]

I use German Tan quite a bit and if you cant' or don't choose to smoke them and since you're going to need to stretch it first before cutting up anyway so I so dampen it, and then stretch it to dry (I just nail it on the side of the shed facing the sun) - leave in the sun and air for a day or two and most of the odor will have disappeared.

That will stiffen ti a bit but just working it with your hands or over the edge of a board will soften it right back up.

[ChurchandSon]

I had saved this quote in my faux-braintan folder...Cod liver oil could be the "fish" smell..

The genuine (traditional) German tan involves a tanning process that takes several months to complete and is not cheap. Therefore many tanneries that offer German tan resort to a "new" process that involves pre-tanning the hides with chrome and then continuing with cod liver oil. Thus the tanning process is not only considerably shortened but also much less expensive.

I use eggs instead of brains and smoke about half of them but to be honest they all have a very earthy smell...

[buckskin billy]

real buckskins have a smell to it, thats just part of the experience. good luck with your project