Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Shooting Traditional Firearms and Weapons => General Interest => Topic started by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 02:18:48 PM

Title: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 02:18:48 PM
I thought it would be better to use hides I shot instead of buying them. I'm lost on how much is needed. What do I need for a shirt and pants? What would a cow elk get me?
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Bigsmoke on December 21, 2015, 02:54:14 PM
What would a cow elk get me?

A pretty heavy set of clothes.  I had an elk skin long shirt many, many years ago and it was oppressively heavy.
I would think deer hide would be a much better choice.
Of course, for comfort, the really best choice is cloth.
To me, hides seem to be hot in the summer and cold in the winter.  Not quite what I care for. But, YMMV.
John
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 03:05:53 PM
Well nuts! How can I be a mountain man without buckskins?

Keep in mind I live at 8000ft, and hang out at 9000-11,000ft. Too hot would really have to be too hot.
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: rollingb on December 21, 2015, 03:35:37 PM
Brain-tanned elk will be a bit lighter in weight than commercial-tan, and it's also cooler in the summer and warmer in winter as it "breaths" where as commercial-tan doesn't.
Brain-tan also doesn't feel as "clammy" on the skin as commercial-tan, but brain-tanned elk will still be heavier than brain-tanned deer.

I prefer brain-tanned deer for clothing even though I currently have a coat I made from elk (of which I'll probably never wear out), and elk hide for moccasins.  :rt th
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 03:41:08 PM
Ok, elk for a coat and mocs. How many muley's do I need for pants and shirt? Does it matter if it's a buck or doe?
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: rollingb on December 21, 2015, 04:10:39 PM
2 (maybe 3) deer hides for a shirt, and the same for pants,.... depending on the size of the hides.

You can get by easily with just 2 deer hides for "leggings",... when worn in combination with a cloth breech-cloth.  :rt th
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 04:39:19 PM
That will be a problem. Deer tags are hard to get in my area. Best I can do is one deer every 2-3 years.

Maybe an elk brain tanned for just pants, and i'll wear cloth shirts. I wonder if an elk calf would be closer to deer? The DOW actually wants some of those taken for herd control.

Elk tags are easy to get every year with no points.
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 04:41:57 PM
I'm after this look. I even look something like the old coot.
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: rollingb on December 21, 2015, 05:36:18 PM
Quote from: "Muley"
I'm after this look. I even look something like the old coot.


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/Jamnut/Mountain-Man_zps22e499a2.jpg) (http://http)
That's usually how I dress, and if there's a stiff cool wind, I'll put my deer skin shirt on over my linen shirt.  :laffing
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 05:45:50 PM
I guess i'll have to save up some money for skins, or just buy them made, but those are too pricey for me. I'm a poor SOB on SS.

This won't be dress up for me. it will be full time wear. I'm not one for being what i'm not, so this will be me just be once i'm into it.

Any links you can recommend for clothing that's not too pricey?
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: rollingb on December 21, 2015, 05:46:54 PM
Quote from: "Muley"
That will be a problem. Deer tags are hard to get in my area. Best I can do is one deer every 2-3 years.

Maybe an elk brain tanned for just pants, and i'll wear cloth shirts. I wonder if an elk calf would be closer to deer? The DOW actually wants some of those taken for herd control.

Elk tags are easy to get every year with no points.
A lot of hunters throw deer skins away, unless there are barrels set out where the skins can be dropped for the Boy Scouts.
Running an ad in your local newspaper during deer season, can often get you the hides you need for brain tanning, especially if you don't mind paying a few bucks ($5-$10) for the hides.  :rt th
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 06:00:44 PM
Good idea. When I think of all the skins i've left on the ground for 60 years. I'd have quite a wardrobe now.
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: rollingb on December 21, 2015, 06:07:04 PM
Quote from: "Muley"

Any links you can recommend for clothing that's not too pricey?
None that I'm aware of,....... I suggest checking out the "Trade Blanket" most muzzleloading forums have, sometimes you can find some real bargains that way.  :rt th
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 06:54:28 PM
I was thinking for a pattern i'd cut a pair of old jeans apart, and use it for a pattern.

Will that work?
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: rollingb on December 21, 2015, 07:30:47 PM
Quote from: "Muley"
I was thinking for a pattern i'd cut a pair of old jeans apart, and use it for a pattern.

Will that work?
That's what I do.
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: prairie dog on December 21, 2015, 07:32:39 PM
I made leggings from an elk hide and they are too heavy.  If I make any more skins, they will be deer or antelope. 
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 21, 2015, 08:13:15 PM
I like it all.
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Longhunter on December 24, 2015, 09:49:10 AM
Here's the wife and I in our Sunday skins, I'm wearin my elk skin frock

(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Nancy_Ron_buckskins.jpg)

This is the Frock again with leggin's an breech clout in a painting by Marian Anderson for the National Wild Turkey Federation. She did the painting from a photograph. That's my fowler in the bow of my birch bark canoe but the turkey was taken with the bow an arraw. The title of the print, "The Longhunter"

(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Longhunter002.jpg)
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 24, 2015, 10:15:40 AM
What's your opinion of wearing buckskins Ron? Comfortable, or not?
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Longhunter on December 24, 2015, 10:42:24 AM
Yes, they're very comfortable in my opinion. Even in the heat of summer people would ask, "aren't you hot in those buckskins?", I tell them no, the skins actually insulated my body from the heat.

(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/1st%20place%20hawk.jpg)
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Muley on December 24, 2015, 11:02:37 AM
Ok, good deal bud.

We miss you over on Jon's forum. Don't be a stranger.
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: KHickam on January 26, 2016, 04:17:11 PM
Muley - I have 30 or so hides that I got from a local processor - Had like 50 but they got wet somehow and had some deterioration - so I just chucked them but I would check with processors in your area and see what they get.

You will need 6-8 hides depending on your size and the size of the hides - to make a full set 3 for pants and 3-4 for jacket/frock.
Title: Re: Buckskins?
Post by: Hawken on April 02, 2016, 01:19:09 PM
I'm gonna stick with Carhart!!