I love the aspect of the part of trad archery in making your own equipment.
I've built a few quivers and such and am working on a sweet arm guard with a knife sheath. Pic to come in a different thread.
I figured with all the DIY guys and gals I could get a good simple recipe or technique for applying a bees wax based finish to my leather for waterproofing and protection.
So What do you got?
Stiks
If you want to protect it from water, and other elements, your best bet would be Montana Pitch Blend. While there is a great sense of accomplishment in making your own stuff, sometimes the best can't be beat.
But if you insist, mix a bit of mink oil and pine pitch with your beeswax and you you will have it...........
Montana Pitch Blend is a blend of bees wax, mink oil and pine pitch. That would be easy enough to duplicate. Bear grease would be a good substitute for the mink oil. Like making pitch glue I guess you put it all in a cooker until it all melts and blends together. You can control the consistancy of it by the amount of pitch you add...less pitch softer finished product.
Bear grease on it's own is a great water proofer. I have a yew selfbow with just hand rubbed bear grease finish and it repells water well.
Where can I get bear grease ?
Tim,
I just realized your the guy that makes those awsome arm guards. your work has inspired me to make my own.
I will check out the montana pitch blend but I do like mess with making my own stuff.
Stiks
Thanks Stiks.
Bear grease? Kill a bear, or find someone that has. Sometimes there is some that makes it way to the St. Judes auction.