Traditional - Red Deer? vs US deer/Elk leathers

**Burly Brute** · 29th July 11, 10:11 AM

I totally saw this on fbook first! Lol, thought I would chime in, although I don't have an answer. I would guess you have to go by what was available at the time?

**Mule** · 29th July 11, 10:24 AM

Yeah, his post got me to thinking more about it. I'm kind of uptight about things sometime.

Probably on the availability, but since the Elk is pretty cheap and nice to work with, it's a real bonus. And, I don't have a big stash of leather/hide yet...

Look at these pictures, amazing similarity isn't it.

**Burly Brute** · 29th July 11, 10:28 AM

Yea, it seems the biggest difference is in their lower jaw/neck.

**Mule** · 29th July 11, 11:19 AM

Agreed. The racks look much the same. Which is nice. I have two 5x5 junk elk racks that I am going to use for buttons, handles ect... If I have to opportunity to be period correct I will take it.

**Joe Gondek** · 29th July 11, 11:33 AM

red deer are also found over the rest of europe
the german tan leather is german elk(red deer)

**Mule** · 29th July 11, 11:41 AM

Great. Thanks Joe!
I did not realize that. I almost bought some German leather yesterday but couldn't get my instructor friend on the phone... I don't start class with him for another week.

**Joe Gondek** · 29th July 11, 12:04 PM

the german tan is a fish oil tan that has been used for along time in europe
it was the same leather used to make workmans knee pants and breeches in the 18th century

it is a easy leathe to work with but will not take comerical dyes well

I have used walnut hulls to dye some and it came out a nice brown

most 18th century sporrans I've seen are the natural cream color that you see in German tan

There will bug bites in the german leather, but if you use brain tan mule deer you will have barbed wire marks along the back, you can't get away from this modern world.

Brain tanned american elk don't seem to have as many wire marks

Another site to find german tan besides crazy crow trading but not any cheaper
http://www.trapper-kai.com/leather.html

**KiltedSurveyor** · 29th July 11, 01:01 PM

As an 18th century (colonial) re-enactor, the deer we hunt (whitetail) was called the Virginia red deer in the trade documents of the period. The hide was highly prized in Europe because of its softness, making it perfect for gloves soft bags and any other leather items needing a soft, luxurious feel. The deer was called "red deer" because it was harvested in the summer when the deer were "redder" in color. It was taken then because there were less veins and the pores were smaller, not having to support a thick winter coat of hair. Hope this helps!