Bark Tanned Fish skins
07.06.2025 - 10.06.2025
Embark on a transformative 3-day experience to learn the ancient skill of hair-off brain/smoke tanning-the oldest hide tanning method in the world found on every continent.
This immersive, hands-on workshop will guide you through the entire process of turning a fresh deer hide into soft, durable, and beautifully supple buckskin leather
We will explore various tanning methods and their applications while gaining a deep understanding of the differences between buckskin, rawhide, and bark tanning. This embodied practice not only connects us to a pan cultural ancient skill but also fosters a meaningful connection to using our hands, the spirit of the deer, and deeper understanding of our place in the web of life.
By the end of the workshop, you will take home your own finished skin—a versatile and durable material that can be used as a throw, blanket, altar cloth, or even made into clothing, bags, and more.
Cost: $150 CAD
We off a 10% buddy discount, So bring a friend!
Location: Choose dates on at checkout
Once your deposit is paid, you’ll receive a registration form to ensure we can confirm your attendance and provide the best experience.
You’ll also receive a welcome packet with detailed course information and an online overview to support your tanning journey after the course.
This day will consist of scraping and removing the grain from the hide, neutralizing and an in depth discussion about the different types of tanning and their applications. The rest of the day will be on your own time.
Day One:
Scraping
What to expect...
Day Two:
Braining & Softening
We begin the process of applying fat to the hides, by the afternoon all hides will be mechanically worked until soft, velvety and dry.(this process is a committed period of time until the hide is fully dried). We will help each other finish softening as every hide is different and some may finish faster than others.
Day Three:
Smoking & Departure
We will complete the process of tanning by smoking the hides, finalizing the alchemy we have been partaking in these last few days. Smoking is the last step to transform the hide to make your buckskin last for a lifetime.
How to make use of future hides that come into your life.
You'll learn...
The complete hair-off brain tanning process, from raw hide to finished buckskin.
Different tanning methods and their uses, including the distinctions between buckskin, rawhide, and bark tanning.
This is a physically demanding skill, will require long days, and will be mostly in the sun. This course condenses a process that can be done over multiple days into three days for education purposes and to ensure people will finish their hides to high quality with mentorship.
You will need to bring your own knife to work with.
Every student will take home a hide.
All raw course materials and tools are provided for the course with option to purchase tools at 10% discount from our supply to further your hide tanning journey past this course.