mark buxton

One I've heard recommended before...but I had the caustic soda already in stock  😀

I'd like to try ash lye, but don't want to waste any skins if it's not going to be worth using.

Yes, I'm unsure too. As far as I have read, the issue with softwood ash is the residual resin content in the ash. That resin makes it harder to get the water in to extract the lye.

So, I wondered if the boiling process in turning softwood in to card/paper pulp removes those resins...
I think I might have to experiment if no one else knows either!

Hi all,
I have access to the occasional deer and other animal. I'm making rawhide,  leather and buckskin as I learn the processes.

At present to de-fur I use caustic soda to make a lye.

I don't have access to many hardwood ashes,  which are renowned as the best for making lye.... but I do get frequent access to paper and cardboard ashes.

Has anyone tried making lye from these before?

Thanks Kadence and Jorge.

I assumed it'd be that simple, but it's always worth asking if there's a tried and tested way that's even just a bit better.

HI There - an interesting thread.

Forgive me if i've missed it in a previous post - but how would you kill these? I'm curious because it's not something i've done and i'm sure there's a humane way that i am unaware of?