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The Ancient Art of Tanning Buckskin
by Robert Earthworm2 hrs. - $29.95 - 1986
Northwest Video Productions
buy this videoThis is easily the best video on the dryscrape method of braintanning, and probably the best braintanning video available period. If you are interested in learning the dryscrape method, this video is well worth the investment.
Earthworm has taught many hundreds of tanners throughout his 25 year tanning career, and that experience shows in the video. He is so good at showing you every little detail that you need to know to dryscrape a hide, and repeating key points so that they are driven deep into your brain. Earthworm is also a master at keeping things simple, yet telling you all that you need to know. He takes you step by step from skinning to finished, smoked buckskin.
This video is professionally produced and that quality also shows in the camera-man's ability to get good lighting and key close-ups that allow you to see the grain coming off and the salt and pepper of the hair roots that you need to remove.
| Some Historical Notes |
I first watched this video back in 1989 in a Jim Riggs' class, and hadn't seen it again until the producer of it sent me a review copy. Earthworm and Jim both learned from Buckskin Slim Schaefer and both went on to teach hundreds of tanners (who then taught hundreds of tanners and so on). The man who primarily taught me how to dryscrape was Shéom, Earthworm's #1 student, when I lived at the River Spirit community. I had many opportunities to watch Earthworm in action, tanning and making garments. |
The one addition this video could really use would be a good tool sharpening lesson. A sharp tool is the key to dryscraping, and few people really know how to hone an edge as good as they should. Even Earthworm seems to use a duller tool than some folks I've watched recently, like Mac Maness. Mac's tool is so razor sharp that he can just gracefully shave that grain off the hide, rather than using so much brute strength and pressure (that is more likely to create a hole).You might also consider braining your hide more than the one time he shows before you start softening, just to ensure success. And the last thing you might do differently is sand the surface of the hide with a piece of pumice or sandpaper to get rid of the tool marks. Earthworm doesn't do this (nor do the folks who learned from him), and you will notice quite obvious tool marks in his finished buckskin. Some people like this, others don't. Your choice.
Four years ago, I met a fellow who lived on a remote property in the Superstition Wilderness area of Arizona who was wearing a fine looking braintan shirt. I asked him who he learned from, and he said "A video by this guy named Earthworm". This fellow had never seen anyone else tanning, or read a book on the subject, just watched this video. To me that is the true testament to the quality of this work. You can use this as your sole source of information, and be very successful (though I'd personally recommend getting Jim Riggs' book in addition for a more complete reference on dryscraping.)
This is not a video that you will find advertised in Muzzleloading, Survival or Self-Sufficient Living catalogs because the producer and the author don't put out a lot of energy to promote it (I believe Sonny donated his portion of the proceeds to the Society of Primitive Technology). But this is the best video on dryscrape brain tanning. Get yourself a copy if you are interested!
You can now order your copy of The Ancient Art of Tanning Buckskin by Robert Earthworm for $30, from Traditional Tanner's Supply
Email: backcountry@braintan.com |
