Braintan Buckskin Tanning Workshop
What is buckskin?
Deerskin is useful for making many kinds of leathers. One of the most versatile of these is buckskin, a soft, luxuriant and warm material that is used to make clothing, bags and accessories. As a fabric it is breathable, durable and insulating, its clothing able to withstand regular use for the rest of one’s lifetime.
Unfortunately these days most deerskin is left behind in the bush or otherwise underutilised.
Making buckskin
Learning to make this resource is an art in and of itself, requiring responsive attention to the skin and it’s needs. Many lessons in patience, perseverance and adaptability are the prizes for those who can see the whole buckskin tanning process through from start to finish.
Beginner students who undertake this workshop will process hides in pairs and each receive half a completed buckskin to take home, now able to tan their own buckskin in their own backyards.
About the workshop
Buckskin tanning workshops involve the wetscrape technique using a fleshing beam and hand softening with a cable.
Goatskin is sometimes substituted for deerskin in these workshops as it behaves similarly and is thinner and so can be easier to work with for beginners.
Brains are used when available or are substituted with other appropriate natural fats.
Whats Included in a Workshop?
- Receive instruction in the traditional brain tan technique for tanning buckskin
- 4 days of workshop including 1 half-day skin softening endurance workout
- All materials and catering supplied
- Limited numbers per workshop
- Wet scrape tool
Buckskin tanning workshops take place approximately once per year in the Northern Rivers Region of NSW.
Backyard Buckskin 