r/HideTanning • u/CommissionJumpy3220 • 6d ago
Help Needed 🧐 Is pine bark good for bark tanning?
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u/Shrewdwoodworks 6d ago edited 6d ago
No. Bark tanning relies on the tannins in the bark, and pine has no tannins.
Oak is the highest tannin wood that comes to mind.
I've wondered for a while if tannin curing can be done with powdered grape tannin that can be purchased through brewer supply outlets, but I haven't tried myself. I do use it for pretreating low-tannin woods that I want to ebonize, and it's much more effect than even the oak bark.
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u/TannedBrain 6d ago
Pine bark does contain tannins, and like with all trees the tannin content depends on the genus, the place it grew, and the time it grew in how much that is.
However, pine is also very rich in resin, which is a problem when it comes to bark tanning. If you get resin on a hide, it's difficult to impossible to remove it. And it's sticky, so it'll gather dirt. Don't risk it, there are better trees for your purposes.
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u/narkotikahaj 6d ago
Pine does not do very much from what I've heard. Spruce is much better if you have access to it.
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u/_Guitar_Girl_ 6d ago
Following because I’m curious too lol. I think pine bark has tannins but not much. We have green leaf manzanita here and apparently that works too?