Do you make things with your furs or sell the raw?

[Chuck]

How many of you use your furs for personal use or resale?
In Alaska it is common to use some of the low grade stuff for clothing. The better stuff is either used for resale items or sent the auction houses.

[Jenny]

It is nice to get that check from selling the furs, but I love sewing them into warm hats and such. Very satisfying

[Anataq]

Do you tan your own furs? If so chemical, or brain tanning?

What is the best method for keeping hair out of the meat when you skin an animal?

What type of knives do you use, traditional skinning knive, Ulu??? What do you think of Knives of Alaska's skinning knives?

-Ryan

[Chuck]

The few I have tanned were acid tanned with battery acid or a commercial solution. If you are looking you could try Vandykes supply, Cabalas own the now.

www.vandykestaxidermy.com
1-800-843-3320

Moose and caribou is near imposable to keep clean of hair when skinning just take you time. I peel the hide back so I can lay the quarters on it while I do one side then if I don't have a tarp with me(I usually don't) I'll find a clean place to put them while I roll them over to do the other side. When you hang the in meat house or on a rack wipe them off good if flys are a problem rub them down with pepper that will help keep them away.

Most of my knives are older than dirt. For big game I have some Bucks and Gerber folding knives. On fur animals most of my pelting knives are old pocket knives I took apart and put antler handles on the blades, then ground them to the shape I want.

I've never used an ulu although they are supposed to be very good.

[UgashikBob]

We send all of our furs to Moyle's for tanning because its such a hassle getting all the tanning supplies in here and disposing of them when we are done.
I have 20 some tanned beaver hides and 20 some tanned otter hides and we are looking for someone who can make us a beaver skin bedspread trimmed with otter. We looked at buying a fur sewing machine but it was to much of an investment for a one time deal. All of my beaver is early season which I am told doesn't work well for shearing. The last time we were into Anchorage my trapping partner fell in love with a beaverskin bedspread so that looks like the next project.

[sundew]

Chuck- you said at the beginning of thread:
"The better stuff is either used for resale items or sent the auction houses. "

Do you advertise your resale items? and Where so I might look at what you have?

What kind of money do ya get for your furs?
thanks
sundew

[JohnPorter]

I refuse to sell to auction houses due to being burnt in the past. All my pelts are sold online, taxidermies, or for speciality items. I like the idea of taking a 20 dollar mink and doubling my money by not selling to the big auctions.
John

[kritter]

hi, been a while since i was on here, im not a northerner but i do tan, anataq, a draw knife does a real quick job of fleshing and membraining a hide. the acid or pickle tanning is better for fur on tanning to help keep the fur in tact. the brain tan is better for the leather making, though you can use the brain tan for fur , just gotta be quick about getting it tanned and a pickle combination is still better before braining the fur.

[smwon]

Now see... I just knew getting back in here would get me in trouble! Ya'll make me want to go back home... Alaska that is! lol.

[arlene]

"I've never used an ulu although they are supposed to be very good."

I accidentally got to use an ulu (had sent one down as a present for my dad) when our stupid cow killed himself. Faced with cleaning it quickly, we grabbed the first thing we could find... right off of the display shelf, lol. It worked VERY well. I may get one myself when we get back up there.