I was fortunate to kill two deer today. I got them skinned, quartered, etc. I took the big main tendons connecting the hip to the knee. They're like as big around as my finger by 5-6" long. Are there any other tendons worth saving for the purpose of wrapping wood arrows/tying leather grips, etc? Or are those the main tendons used?
Get the tendons from the back of the foot to the back of the knee. Also, along the backstrap, the white thin sheet of fibrous material is sinew. Filet it off, clean it and dry it.
ChuckC
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j308/teenathlete3030/IMG_20151017_204826_zpszwgxhap2.jpg) (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/teenathlete3030/media/IMG_20151017_204826_zpszwgxhap2.jpg.html)
Thanks. The backstraps stuff I already tossed, but the lower leg sinew was great.
I would suggest scrubbing that up the best you can. Scrape excess meat off it and scrub again. Then let it dry to a clear amber color. I stash mine in ziplocs after they are dry. A rubber mallet will break them into cordage for you. Then just peel them apart with your fingers to get smaller strands.
A rubber mallet? I've worked hours with a steel hammer to get that stuff down to where it is usable.
Next time fillet those backstraps off the sinew.
For tying feathers and any type string work it is my favorite
I let mine dry, rehydrate and then pound out. Not sure if this is right but they way I have found that works.
Backstraps is the place to get the best sinew. It is quite flat and very long.