Turning Deer Hides Into Buckskin Clothing

By Debby Stricker

The buckskin clothing that David Liske wears to reenactments isn’t bought in a store. The Nashville man makes it himself, using a method dating back 200 years ago.

Liske “brain” tans deer hides to soften the fibers. Since he usually doesn’t get the head with the hides given to him, Liske buys cow brains from a butcher shop. The next process is smoking the hides.

Liske hand sews four hides together for a buckskin jacket. He uses several more for the pants and moccasins.

Read the full story in this week’s issue