Meet CSU Extension Western Region Director CJ Mucklow

Connecting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math concepts to our everyday lives. Age Appropriate: Tanning Leather Part 1 4th—HS grades A Ft. Collins Colorado native, CJ Mucklow entered How does tanning make the hide soft and pliable for Time Required: CSU, earning his B.S. degree 1 month our use? What is the chemistry? in Animal Science and his http://blog.jwhulmeco.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/leather.jpg Masters Degree in Agricul- Materials: ture. Upon graduation, CJ Over the next 2 months, we are going to explore a traditional Native American  Piece of cowhide 12x6” started work with CSU Exten- tanning method. There is a learning curve to producing good leather; it takes time  Single-edged knife sion in Elbert County, working and patience. Directions use scrap cowhide to learn.  Scraping tool (old hacksaw with 4-H and ranchers on the There are several steps in a tanning process. Since it is involved, steps 1-4 will blade or ulu) Eastern Plains. In 1989, CJ be covered in this activity, and we will complete the tanning process next month.  Wood board work surface accepted the position of Routt with one edge sanded This Month: Next Month: County Agriculture Agent, in smooth  Remove any fat and flesh still stuck to 4. Remove the fur or hair (finish step) Steamboat Springs. His time  Non-iodized salt 1 pound the hide  Rinse and delime (neutralize the hide) in Routt County has been  5 gallon plastic bucket focused on Preserving  Soak and clean the hide  Dress with pig brain  Borax Ranchland, making strides to  Remove the grain and work the hide  Stretch and work the hide  Dishwashing soap connect the agriculture com-  Remove the fur or hair (begin step)  Smoke over a fire pit  Large wood/plastic stirring munity with a growing resort  Oil and finish tanned leather paddle (i.e. canoe paddle) economy. CJ became the  First aid gloves Western Region Director for EXPLORE IT - DESIGN IT - DO IT  Hydrated lime 3 quarts Extension in January 2011. 1. Remove any fat and flesh still stuck to the hide  Safety goggles  Rain or spring water “While I never planned  Stretch your piece of hide onto the wood board work surface, fur side down, on working for CSU Exten- (do not use tap water) flesh side up. With the scraping tool, remove all the bits of flesh and fat from sion my whole life I’ve now The Set-up: spent 27 year working for the hide. Be very sure that all pieces of fat have been removed.  Get permission from your them. The greatest satisfac-  After removing all bits of flesh and fat, generously sprinkle the hide with a layer parents for this project. tion in working for Extension of salt, rubbing it into any cuts and around the edges of your hide. Slightly tilt  Do not use metal for any is helping people solve prob- your wood board so that any liquid in the hide can drain. part of this process—only lems related to Agriculture  Allow salt to remain on the hide for 2 days, remove and repeat with fresh salt. use wood or plastic. and Natural Resources.”  Repeat this process every 2 days until the hide is complete dry. Depending on  Purchase cowhide from the thickness, it could take up to 2 weeks. butcher. The Chemistry of Tanning: 2. Soak and clean the hide  Purchase hydrated lime at Tanning is a physical and  In 5 gallon bucket, add 2½ gallons water. Place your dry hide in the water and landscape supply store chemical process that either allow to soak for 2 hours. Check the hide, and if it is not pliable, you will need  Sandpaper your work board removes or replaces the or- to soak it longer. This depends on the thickness of the hide. until smooth. Also, sand at ganic molecules (like fat, 3. Remove the grain and work the hide least one edge. membranes and proteins) in  When your hide is soft, place it flesh side down, and on your sand-papered The Clean-up: the hide with non-organic edge of your work board, rub the flesh side. To do this, you need to hold your  You will be ready for the chemicals. If a hide is not hide on each end, press down on the edge of the work board, and rub the hide next step when the next 4- tanned, bacteria will break it across the edge. This will, in addition to working your hide, remove a shiny, H newsletter comes out. down. Bacteria are important tight tissue membrane on the flesh side of the hide. Continue working your  Put away all your materials. detritivores but we don’t hide until the membrane is completely removed, using both your work board  Put the lid securely on your want them breaking down and your scraping tool. Take care to work evenly across the entire hide so you bucket, label your bucket leather. Tanning removes or don’t damage the skin. If your hide begins to dry out, soak it in water until “Tanning Bucket” replaces the organic matter  Place your bucket of lime pliable, and continue to work your hide to completely remove that membrane. water and your hide in a that detrivores consume.  Empty your bucket of water and add 3oz of borax and 1tbl of dish soap to 2½ The physical removal of this safe place. Inform your gallons of fresh water. Mix the water to dissolve the borax and dish soap. Add matter is you scraping the hide family that it is soaking in the hide to the water solution and stir with your wooden paddle. Stir your skin lime water—dangerous! to remove fat and membranes, for about 20 minutes. which is most of the work you Power Words  Remove the hide from the water and place on your work board, flesh side up. do this month. The chemistry  detrivore: an organism With the knife blade, scud (don’t cut) the flesh side by scraping the almost of tanning is very complex, that consumes dead plant but most of it occurs when horizontal knife blade across the hide. and animal matter 4. Remove the fur or hair (directions to complete next month) you smoke the hide. The  pliable: flexible chemicals in the smoke are  Empty bucket of water, and put on your gloves and goggles. Add 3 gallons of  scud: to cleanse (a trimmed exchanged or interact with the water, and carefully pour 3 quarts of hydrated lime. Use your paddle to and roughly depilated skin proteins in the skin. complete submerge the hide. Leave in the lime water for 10 days. or hide) of remaining hairs or dirt Colorado State University Extension 4-H programs are available to all without discrimination.