Since I stumbled into that huge elk (?) hide I have been in a quandary of how to best use it. I need leggins, but this hide is too stiff and too heavy. I approached a buckskinning lady that does good leather work and asked her about the possibility of making me some moccasins. She politely refused since the hide wasn't brain tanned.
My son dropped by and I had him look at the hide. He readily agreed the hide was too heavy and too thick for leggins...however, he said, it would be perfect for a blacksmith apron (which he just happens to need.)
Then, without missing a beat he said, "Dad, you don't remember but I have a pair of elk skin leggins home-dyed with black walnut stain, plus forest green wool weskit and at least one or two hunting shirts. Make me a a blacksmith apron and we would have an even swap..."
Sounds pretty danged good to me. The apron won't take even half the hide, and I will come away with a lot more than I had expected...and still have a large piece of elk hide. Must have done somethin right raising that boy...even if he is a blacksmith...
Topic: Family Trading (Read 569 times)