Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Traditional Firearms => Traditional Archery => Topic started by: Darren Haverstick on September 03, 2021, 08:10:38 AM

Title: Finally made something for myself
Post by: Darren Haverstick on September 03, 2021, 08:10:38 AM
I hardly ever make a leather doodad for my own use but I thought my arrows for this season needed a matching arm guard so I cobbled this together over the past few days. I may not be a good shot or a stealthy woodsman but at least I'll be color coordinated!

This arm guard has a Nile crocodile facing over a vegetable tanned cowhide backing. The arrowhead is made from tilapia hide and the trim is deer hide. I carved the lace hooks from deer antler and sewed everything up by hand using artificial sinew.

(https://i.imgur.com/ApHgsRT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AdnxQCd.jpg)

Darren
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: rollingb on September 03, 2021, 01:39:45 PM
It sure catches the eye!  :applaud  :bl th up
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: The Miner '49er on September 03, 2021, 05:05:44 PM
That looks great, Darren. I am surprised to learn that tilapia skin can be used to make things like this, but all I knew about tilapia, before seeing your post, involved a salt shaker, lemon, and tarter sauce. How durable is fish hide like this, and how is it processed or tanned?
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: Ohio Joe on September 03, 2021, 05:34:42 PM
As always, very nice Darren. Very Nice!!!  :hairy
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: Darren Haverstick on September 03, 2021, 09:04:19 PM
That looks great, Darren. I am surprised to learn that tilapia skin can be used to make things like this, but all I knew about tilapia, before seeing your post, involved a salt shaker, lemon, and tarter sauce. How durable is fish hide like this, and how is it processed or tanned?

Don, I'm pretty sure the hides are chrome tanned. It's more durable than snake skin but not as tough as carp hide. That stuff is awesome! If you want to see some really cool fish leather, look up "pirarucu leather". The pirarucu is a huge fish from the Amazon Basin. The leather is thick and tough...and very expensive. I bought a scrap piece a couple of weeks ago that is just big enough to make a single arm guard. I think I gave $20 for it!

Darren
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: The Miner '49er on September 03, 2021, 10:15:23 PM
I just finished an online article about pirarucu leather. That really is some stuff, for sure. Please post a pic of the arm guard or whatever you might make from it. Thanks.
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: Two Steps on September 04, 2021, 06:55:32 AM
You have skills Darren…you have skills  :applaud
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: Uncle Russ on September 09, 2021, 03:09:00 PM
You have skills Darren…you have skills  :applaud

Yes, the man does have SKILLS!
 :hairy

Russ...
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: Bigsmoke on September 09, 2021, 05:13:31 PM
That looks great, Darren. I am surprised to learn that tilapia skin can be used to make things like this, but all I knew about tilapia, before seeing your post, involved a salt shaker, lemon, and tarter sauce. How durable is fish hide like this, and how is it processed or tanned?

Don, I'm pretty sure the hides are chrome tanned. It's more durable than snake skin but not as tough as carp hide. That stuff is awesome! If you want to see some really cool fish leather, look up "pirarucu leather". The pirarucu is a huge fish from the Amazon Basin. The leather is thick and tough...and very expensive. I bought a scrap piece a couple of weeks ago that is just big enough to make a single arm guard. I think I gave $20 for it!

Darren

Expensive, yes.  But, don't forget,  the fish gave its life for it.
Just saying...

John (Bigsmoke)
Title: Re: Finally made something for myself
Post by: Winter Hawk on September 09, 2021, 09:16:27 PM
You "cobble" something together that the rest of us would give our eye teeth to do half as good.  That's some mighty fine work there!

~Kees~