Softening rawhide for a parfleche case

[Lonewolfe20]

Hey shooters

I have some scrap rawhide that I am going to turn into a parfleche case and on the web it says to soften it.  It describes beating the rawhide with a blunt object

Does this sound right I you guys

I tried to search here and couldn't find anything.

I guess I am looking for how you guys do it

Thanks

[ridjrunr]

That is a good question and an interesting topic. Now I have never looked into parfleche cases, but I have been studying the construction of rawhide sheathes and from what I gather, you cut out the pcs and then soak them in water until pliable and then punch holes and do the construction. also, while it is pliable, you form the rawhide to the knife.
I hope someone else has more input on this.

[greyhunter]

That is a good question and an interesting topic. Now I have never looked into parfleche cases, but I have been studying the construction of rawhide sheathes and from what I gather, you cut out the pcs and then soak them in water until pliable and then punch holes and do the construction. also, while it is pliable, you form the rawhide to the knife.
I hope someone else has more input on this.

[Lonewolfe20]

I don't like the idea of beating it soft. I want rawhide

I will wet it good and set it in the fold I want to tonight and dry it out

Have you guys ever painted rawhide and with what

I would like to use natural products. If anyone has a an idea  let her fly

[Riley/MN]

Yep, you can beat it to soften it, but then you don't have the hardness that you achieved by letting it dry after soaking in the first place....

[cb]

1) I on the other hand have made a couple hundred parfleches os varying types and sizes - I have also used then extensively so have a bit of idea of period usage. While a parfleche and knife sheath may  be both rawhide, parfleches generally are half softened in order to make a good storage vessel. The traditional way to soften a hide for making a folded parfleche, was to dampen the rawhide, stretch it on the ground and then using something like the rounded back edge of a single bit axe or a 4-6 pound sledge, you beat the hide gently with overlapping strokes. The finished product will not be limp and soft, but still stiff with good body. Yes it takes a while to do it "right", but in the end it's worth it.
2) Earth paints already made into "cookies" for painting a parfleche are available here - best deal going IMO
http://www.beadmatch.com

3) There are a few decent how-to's on making parfleches online.
http://history.nd.gov/activities/parfleche.pdf

http://centerofthewest.org/wp-content/u ... Lesson.pdf

and if you're into building parfleches or just studying them, this book is in valuable:
The American Indian Parfleche: A Tradition of Abstract Painting: Gaylord Torrence: 9780295973333: Amazon.com: Books

IMO don't mix and match painted patterns other than perhaps from the same tribe - a Cheyenne patterns is Cheyenne, Crow is Crow, etc.

[ridjrunr]

Great info there cb, thank you for posting  

[LeeRoy]

cb, thanks for the links, your input is always looked on as a great assist to the novice among us,
myself included.

LeeRoy

[cb]

You are most welcome....

[Lonewolfe20]

Thanks for the write up CB. I am looking forward to making some
I will soften them this weekend and probably use them
before I get some paint

I really appreciate the help