Working the raw material

**Urban X** · 30-05-2012, 07:05

Wow, was in a daze then I think I actually sat and looked at those 2 coracle pics for a good 15 mins.

I love all the latest technology, gadgets and stuff, but that I really, really admire, that is truly awesome, such a simple design, from natural materials, the skill and work involved are waaaay beyond me but to think that 100s if not 1000s of years ago our ancestors would be making things like this from what they had around them, without CAD programs, robots, machinery or any of the other technological advances we rely upon so heavily now, using the only computer the human race has ever really needed and are born with, is mind blowing.

You are sir a MAN amongst men.

Si

**Woadhart** · 03-06-2012, 23:07

Originally Posted by PatrickM

I had a little time yesterday and managed to put together some scraps for a good sized tinder pouch.

That carved bow is absolutely beautiful!

**PatrickM** · 10-06-2012, 14:16

Thanks for the kind comments folks - Lollipop passing her first test with flying colours.

**Wayland** · 10-06-2012, 14:32

Your stuff never ceases to amaze me Patrick.
Fine work...

**addo** · 11-06-2012, 20:35

Brilliant Patrick. Really nice work and a thread to inspire.
I had a go in a coracle that a maker let me try out last year. Promised myself I'd make one as it was great fun to paddle, and I hope I eventually go to the lengths you have with the materials.
Cheers.

**British Red** · 11-06-2012, 20:58

OKay thats officially very, very cool

**Man of Tanith** · 11-06-2012, 21:09

all i can do is agree with What Red said (again

)
that is officially very very cool
i may have to investigate getting permission from the boss to attend your buck skin course

**Toddy** · 11-06-2012, 21:17

How did I miss these last photos ?

Patrick, that's just brilliant

Down at the weir at David Livingston's ? HWMBLT watched the bailiff catch an enormous salmon there yesterday; the fellow said it was a hell of a fight it put up.

The good ship lollipop looks really well balanced with a lot of freeboard, do you think she'd take much weight beyond the sailor ? Nets, creels, fish ?

atb,
M

**Barn Owl** · 11-06-2012, 22:55

I want to see Nick the chef have a go in it...

That'd be good tv.

**PatrickM** · 26-06-2012, 13:18

Thanks for the kind comments folks.

Been a bit busy lately having too much fun with lollipop and running courses, managed to put these ankle boot moccs together last week - now back to the needle and Fred

**Andy BB** · 26-06-2012, 13:22

Ma! - he shot Bambi!!!

Lovely work there - lost in admiration.

**PatrickM** · 27-06-2012, 17:17

Shirt completed - I will give it a final smoke next week to bring the colour up a little.

**Chiseller** · 27-06-2012, 17:28

Originally Posted by PatrickM

Shirt completed - I will give it a final smoke next week to bring the colour up a little.

Summat in post t'elp wi that

Good elth Sir :thumbup:

Sent from my HTC Explorer using Tapatalk 2

**British Red** · 27-06-2012, 17:29

Blimey - thats going to be some outfit.....

Almost begs a coonskin cap

**grey- array** · 27-06-2012, 21:32

That Looks lovely Patrick, I cant stop admiring your creations they are truly sublime,
I am dreaming to someday make a nice winter Parka in that style, lets see if it will turn out as well as yours
I can only dream ^^
yours sincerely Ruud

**VonNoelio** · 01-07-2012, 12:45

Hi there people,

just skinned 15 rabbits, some meat in a curry on the stove rest in the freezer. Nom, nom, nom.

I have few questions, my wife is wanting to tan the hides, we still have the heads. She wants to keep the fur on so the questions are as follows:

1 - Best natural way to tan?

2 - Some of the pelts are stained with blood or muck, can we wash with water?

My thoughts on tanning are as follows:

- remove blood and membrane from inside of the hide
- take brain, mash it up and add a little water(& maybe an egg??) to make the paste.
- work the paste into the hide
- then continue to work the hide over knee until dry

Any thoughts from one more experienced would be appreciated, thanks in advance.

cheers
Noel.

**PatrickM** · 02-07-2012, 13:40

Brain tan if you have them, rinse the pelts in cold water and air dry on the line.

**PatrickM** · 02-07-2012, 13:47

Oh deer - It looks like more work and new clothing is the order of the day........I may be gone some time......

**Dannytsg** · 02-07-2012, 14:04

This thread is not only amazing but inspiring! Great work!

**British Red** · 02-07-2012, 14:26

Breeks next?

**Toddy** · 02-07-2012, 14:50

You must be scunnered looking at deerskin

Beautiful work though

and superb workmanship

Someday you need to add up the hours of labour, just to give clear indication of just how 'much' work it is to make items like these; all too often folks think it a simple quick thing, while anyone who does make really, really appreciates the sheer time and effort and patience and skill involved.

atb,
Toddy

**John Fenna** · 02-07-2012, 16:25

How have I missed this thread?!
Amazing work!

**Spikey DaPikey** · 02-07-2012, 21:52

Amazing workmanship! Colour me impressed

**grantcallegari** · 03-07-2012, 06:07

I just stumbed across this post and what a lovely surprise. You've been busy! Looking forward to seeing it for real when I get back to Scotland. When do we get a photo of you dressed in the full buckskin suit? Does this spell the end of the DMP?

**PatrickM** · 03-07-2012, 14:33

Thanks for the comments folks.

Red the next batch will provide me with trousers, a couple of hats and a jacket.
I am putting together a large kit bag at the mo, this little shoulder bag in the photo is made up from the scraps.
Mary, I dread the thought of counting time but your right, finished articles show nothing of the labour
and time involved as with everything else within this vast subject - maybe one day.

Greetings Grant, are you still in Canada - lots of questions - call me.............I'm too set in my ways to be a grey owl - DPM still rocks

**Toddy** · 03-07-2012, 15:25

That's neat

and practical too

What's the black whorl on the pump drill made from ? I've ground down, rounded, and ground through (bit of wood and sand.....the blisters, oh the blisters

) some river washed sandstone slices, but haven't done anything else with them yet. Never going to look as cool as that one though

atb,
M

**grantcallegari** · 03-07-2012, 16:05

A combo of half buckskin and half DPM is a good medium i.e. not too millitary or too grey owl. This is inspiring me to get working on my buckskin shirt. I have a freezer full of hides from last years hunting which I'll tan come September. Still in Canada. Working up near Bella Bella on the west coast. Remote and beautiful. I'll get you over here before too long! Meeting up with Mors next week at the Woodsmoke gathering in the US. Then heading up to Alberta to instruct along side Mors, Randy and Kelly at Karamat. If I don't get call you before I leave I'll phone from Mors place as I know he want to catch up with you too.

**Rumcelt** · 03-07-2012, 16:31

Now that is a skill, you work is beautiful.

Reg
Rum

**PatrickM** · 12-07-2012, 18:37

All scraped - I will brain the hides later on in the year as I have too many other things on the go.

Mary, the pump drill whorl is made from slate.

**Toddy** · 12-07-2012, 19:55

How you managed time to do those, and so tidily

at this time of year, I'll never know

Ah, I wondered what you'd used. It looks really, really good. Very trim, very 'right'.
Thinking on it though, mind thon Ancient Egytian slate palette that was in the Kelvingrove, that was another fine bit of work from slate

Somewhere, in my stone stash, I've got some inch thick bits of slate.
Playtime

cheers,
M

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