Dry-Scrape Braintan

A Working Manual, 2nd Edition

by Jim Riggs

The classic text on dry-scrape braintanning.
Concise and witty.
Every braintanner should own this book. 

Jim dedicated his life to learning and teaching ancestral skills and inspired countless others to explore how to tan skins, flintknap stone tools, make arrows, twist fibers into string and rub sticks together to make friction fire. We initially learned how to tan from one of his students and a large number of our colleagues can also trace at least one of their lineages of knowledge back to this iconic man.

He was a good friend and mentor who also wrote the foreword to our book Buckskin: The Ancient Art of Braintanning.

133 pages
5.5” x 8” x .5”

list price $19.95

(Backcountry Publishing)

Double DVD

The Tanning Spirit
(Wetscrape Braintanning)
with Melvin Beattie
&
Ancient Art of Braintanning Buckskin
(Dryscrape Braintanning)
with Robert Earthworm

DVD compilation by HOPS Press of these two classic videos.

Tanning Spirit is a highly recommended instructional video on wet-scrape braintanning by one of our mentors. Especially good for visuals of processes, includes skinning & interesting tools and methods.

$20.00 (20% DISCOUNT from $25 list price)

How to Tan with Natural Materials

by Matt Richards

Good step-by-step of wet-scrape braintanning using lime or lye from wood ashes. 

158 pages
5.375” x 8.375” x .5”

list price $19.95 

(Backcountry Books)

How to Tan with Natural Materials

by Matt Richards

Good step-by-step of wet-scrape braintanning using lime or lye from wood ashes. 

2 hours

DVD $25.00
(Plastic cover is shelf worn & plastic case has small crack in corner, but DVD has never been opened, sale price $18)

(Backcountry Books)

Braintanning Method

by Michael L. Rider

Short simple overview of the braintanning process by a renowned braintanner, known as Dirty Shirt who frequented black powder “rendezvous” events in the Western States of the US.

23 pages, folded & stapled handbook
5.5” x 8.5” x .125”

list price $7.95

Approaching Wildcrafting with Knowledge and Intent

Paleotechnics Handbook #1
2008

by Steven Edholm and Tamara Wilder

Practical information, philosophy and ethics related to gathering wild plants.

Folded stapled 20 page booklet

A Guide to Selection and Maintenance of Steel Edges

Paleotechnics Handbook #7,
2007

by Steven Edholm
w/ Tamara Wilder

Good information on how to judge steel and tool quality and keep good edges on steel tools to maximize their usefulness.

34 page photocopied stapled booklet
8.5” X 5.5” X .125”

A Basic Guide to Processing Animals and Preserving Parts for Later Use

Paleotechnics Handbook #8,
Revised Edition 2012

by Steven Edholm & Tamara Wilder

Basic information on how to take a carcass to the point that the parts can be used and preserved. Packed with lots of little detail that speak from experience.

32 page photocopied stapled booklet
8.5” X 5.5” X .125”

Pig Slaughtering, Processing, Cooking & Eating

Paleotechnics Handbook #23
Fully Revised Edition 1/2020

by Tamara Wilder

Basic information, recipes and lots of other stuff you need to know to both slaughter a pig and also use (and eat) all the parts.

Packed with lots of little details that speak from experience.

44 page photocopied stapled booklet
8.5” X 5.5” X .125”

California Bay Laurel

by Tamara Wilder & Steven Edholm
(Paleotechnics Handbook #24, 2019)

Descriptions of this bountiful tree, instructions on how to harvest and process the nuts and recipes on how to transform the roasted nuts into delicious and stimulating treats.

Folded stapled 8 page booklet in Full Color

Paleotechnics Handbook #6

2019

by Tamara Wilder

Detailed photo step-by-step guide to making a knotted net using a “sheet bend” netting knot.

Includes directions for using a “bowline” knot to create the initial loop and finishing techniques.

24 page photocopied stapled booklet
8.5” X 5.5” X 1”

$10 (black & white)