I purchased three patches of PB from an elderly lady whos late husband used to have a shop. Bought these hide scraps unseen in a purchase through a ffishing BBS posting.
Patch One-This small patch is great and the hide is soft too. The hairs sparkle like icicles. Neat!
The second patch is yellowed considerably. I can tell the hairs still have that special translucence to them. Wonder if it was yellowed by age, storage, bear urine, or even being tanned harshly? I might use this small patch to dye to a shrimp orange. Fine with this piece too.
Lastly, and the issue at hand: The largest patch has nice long white fur. The hide is similar to the others in thickness and color except that it is hard and curled on itself a bit. The hairs are stark white and dull looking and do not exhibit the translucence of what I would expect PB to have. Could this be wolf or Grizzly fur-on-hide that was bleached white? Or is it possible that due to being improperly tanned that the Polar Bear hair can loose the classic translucent appearance? Or could this patch be from a certain part of the Bear that is different (never shot one myself
) ?
All input appreciated.
Thanks,
Rich
Patch One-This small patch is great and the hide is soft too. The hairs sparkle like icicles. Neat!
The second patch is yellowed considerably. I can tell the hairs still have that special translucence to them. Wonder if it was yellowed by age, storage, bear urine, or even being tanned harshly? I might use this small patch to dye to a shrimp orange. Fine with this piece too.
Lastly, and the issue at hand: The largest patch has nice long white fur. The hide is similar to the others in thickness and color except that it is hard and curled on itself a bit. The hairs are stark white and dull looking and do not exhibit the translucence of what I would expect PB to have. Could this be wolf or Grizzly fur-on-hide that was bleached white? Or is it possible that due to being improperly tanned that the Polar Bear hair can loose the classic translucent appearance? Or could this patch be from a certain part of the Bear that is different (never shot one myself
All input appreciated.
Thanks,
Rich