Lecture Notes: Creating Fish Leather with Dan

Introduction

• The lecture is a collaboration between the speaker (from Cellar Doors) and Dan, an expert in bushcraft and wilderness living skills.
• They meet in Hampshire, England, where Dan owns and manages a woodland.
• Dan is skilled in bushcraft and has been teaching for many years.
• The focus of the lecture is on making fish leather, specifically salmon leather.

Background and Purpose

• Fish leather has historical significance, used by Vikings and Inuit people.
• It is surprisingly durable, used even for footwear.
• The process of making fish leather is simple and uses natural materials.
• The goal of the lecture is to teach this process step-by-step so viewers at home can follow along.

Sourcing the Fish Skin

• Freshness is key; supermarket fish may not be fresh enough.
• Recommended sources: fishmongers, sushi bars, or local fishermen.
• Any fish skin can be used, not just salmon.
• Fish skin can be stored in a freezer if not used immediately.

Preparing the Skin

1. Remove the Flesh

   • Use a blunt knife or other tools like shells or slate.
   • Ensure all flesh is removed to prevent bacteria growth and allow tanning solution penetration.
   • Take care not to cut into the skin.

2. Remove the Scales

   • Scrape scales off from tail to head without damaging the skin.
   • Clean the board and skin regularly during this process.

3. Decreasing the Skin

   • Wash the skin with detergent (e.g., Fairy Liquid) to remove grease.

Tanning Process

1. Make Tanning Solution

   • Ingredients: 1 egg yolk and a teaspoon of vegetable oil.
   • Mix thoroughly to create an emulsifier.

2. Soak the Skin

   • Place the skin in the tanning solution for about 20-30 minutes.

3. Drying

   • Place the skin on a drying frame for several hours to a day.
   • Optimal drying conditions: shaded, not too hot.

Softening the Leather

1. Rehydrate and Work the Skin

   • Use Neatsfoot oil to rehydrate if time is a constraint.
   • Work the skin using a dull edge or fingers, focusing on breaking up fibers.

2. Sanding

   • Use sandpaper or dogfish skin to roughen up the leather fibers.
   • Sand carefully to avoid damage.

Smoking the Leather

• Smoke the skin to waterproof and preserve it.
• Use punky wood to generate smoke.
• Takes about 3-4 hours, depending on the setup.

Conclusion

• This is a basic introduction to fish leather making, with many variations possible.
• Encourage viewers to try the process at home and share their results on social media.
• Follow Dan on social media for more bushcraft insights and tutorials.

Additional Notes

• Dan has expertise in 18th-century reenactment and other historical crafts.
• The collaboration between the speaker and Dan may continue, exploring more topics.
• Encouragement to experiment and learn from the process, acknowledging mistakes as part of learning.