| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Maranne |
Curing cock & hen capesDoes anyone know of a supplier of saltpetre or borax for curing poultry capes for fly tying uses.I've asked in our local pharamacies and have been told they are both unavailable. I recently culled off some cocks and have had to use common salt in an attempt to cure the capes. They seem to be ok so far but they are still rather weepy. Cheers Martyn |
| Bugs |
Hullo Maranne, no, hang on, Martyn (is your username like Jema's?  )
I don't know *anything* about curing capes, but I do know that Alison's 3 day bacon cure article mentions a supplier of saltpetre - go to http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Curing_and_Smoking/Making_Bacon_-_3_day_cure/ for the address 
Erm....is this a bad time to say...how do you go about using them once cured and do you fancy turning it in to an article? 
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| sally_in_wales |
Boots sell borax. Also, what about Alum (most chemists have it), I recall Gareth curing a whole pheasent pelt (or whatever you call the skin with the feathers still on it) in ordinary salt and alum once, worked really well- he made hair hecorations with sections of the feathered skin. |
| Maranne |
Thanks for the replies Bugs and Sally.
The info on the saltpetre is noted, I will contact them and see how I get on. Sally, I was surprized when my local Boots didn't have any thing for curing skins. Some of the longer time served members of staff could remember having borax and saltpetre but they all seemed to think that such items had been withdrawn in the last few years. No one seemed to know if this withdrawral was for commercial reasons or on health/saftey or security grounds. As for writing an article on the use of such skins I don't think it would make riveting reading ie select feather from skin, pull it out , tie into fly/lure. I won't hold my breath for the Pulitzer prize
Finally my user name is a composite of Martyn (me) and Anne (trouble and strife) not very imaginative but seemed like a good idea at the time as we came across the site together. Thanks again for the info and I might even try the bacon reciepe. Cheers Martyn. |
| moggins |
I bought a kilo of saltpetre online from a sausage making site. I've never found the borax though, have you tried a local hardware store? |
| alison |
If you have a boots with household cleaner, one of the larger stores, they sell it near the washing powders. |
| Maranne |
Hi Mogs
Yeah I've tried the hardware stores and they all say it has been withdrawn. Alison we have a relatively small branch of Boots here in Orkney so I guess I will have to wait 'til I go "Sooth" to find a larger store. In the mean time I wll contact the saltpetre supplier in the bacon article. Cheers Martyn |
| Bugs |
I missed the bit about borax...I also bought it in Boots a couple of months ago, as Alison says, there's a small section of household stuff. In this store it was near the baby stuff; if the assistants look at you like you have two heads when you ask for it, tell them Boots do their own brand sensitive skin washing powder/liquid/conditioner, it'll be next to that.
But this was a large town centre store... |