[Sca-cooks] 13th Century Icelandic Fish Skin Tanning Techniques

[Laura C. Minnick]

Daniel Phelps wrote:
>
> Was asked:
>
> >I never knew they tanned fish skin in 13th century Iceland. WHat do you
> >_do_ with tanned fish skins?
>
> Shark leather, from which sharks I am not sure, is, if I am not mistaken,
> quite valuable even to the present day and, again if I am not mistaken, was
> used in wrapping the hilts of Japanese swords.  Reputedly it doesn't slip in
> the hand when it gets wet/bloody.  I seem to remember some uses for eel skin
> as well, ...condoms perhaps? :-}

But Daniel, I don't believe the original post mentioned sharks, and
shark skins is disticntly different from regular fish skin. It BITES.

'Lainie