Capes

[Loxie]

I'm trying to prepare my own badger capes from surplus cockerels I have. I've never done it before and wondered if anyone has and can give me some advice? I've pinned them to boards and scrapped away the excess fat and tissue and was going to rub in some salt and leave them to dry. They could also do with a wash and wondered if special detergent was needed. Sorry if this is a bit cave man but any advice would be appreciated.

[Blue Jewel]

Theres nothing wrong with needing advise, that's what a forum is all about.
You've done the right things there with the drying up, just make sure you get as much of the fat off as is possible as this will keep seeping if you don't.
On the subject of washing the capes, use a mild shampoo in a not to hot a water, I've always been a fan of Johnsons Baby Shampoo and would recommend it to anyone, it brings out the shine on the feathers a treat and is not to harsh.
Hope this helps.

Mike

[Loxie]

Thanks For the advice Mike. I hope I've scrapped enough fat off. I quite like the idea of catching a fish on a fly I've tied from feathers from a cockerel I've reared.

Andrew

[Blue Jewel]

Thanks For the advice Mike. I hope I've scrapped enough fat off. I quite like the idea of catching a fish on a fly I've tied from feathers from a cockerel I've reared.

Andrew

|\ Sounds good to me Loxie

[Mick B]

I used to cure skins for domestic use, deer for hearth rugs, fox for head rests, rabbit, badger, all sorts, and I always used normal detergent aka washing powder to disolve fat off the inside a skin before soaking in alum to cure it.
The tip on using detergent came from a proffesional taxidermist who used it.
Just rub it into the underside of the pelt with a touch of hot water to make a paste.
Oh and use rubber gloves to save your pinkies btw.

Hope this helps.