Wow, I have an ugly mug!

**Nighthawk** · 9th September 10, 06:52 PM

My first mug! The crest is the Polish eagle.

My dad asked me to make this for a friend of his in Poland, who happens to love hand made gifts. Never done one of these before since they are technicly not period for me. I'm really pretty pleased with how it came out!

**thoth51** · 9th September 10, 07:07 PM

Wow, I've never heard of leather mugs til now. Do you actually drink from them?

**artificer** · 9th September 10, 07:27 PM

You HAVE been a busy little beaver!

Very nice carving. I'm sure your pop's friend will be most pleased with the very thoughtful and well crafted gift.

Originally Posted by thoth51

Wow, I've never heard of leather mugs til now. Do you actually drink from them?

You can, but, as they age, you have to drink progressively higher proof beverages to sterilize the interior

I know some re-enactors that do, but I personally prefer leaded crystal for my drink.

**Bugbear** · 9th September 10, 07:44 PM

whoa, freaky... I guess it's like a bota bag mug.

**Nighthawk** · 9th September 10, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by thoth51

Wow, I've never heard of leather mugs til now. Do you actually drink from them?

They need to be lined with pitch or bees wax. I have a chunk of pitch in the mail as we speak. Should be here in a matter of days. These are probably the nicest I've ever seen:

http://www.leathermugs.com/

**Bugbear** · 9th September 10, 08:13 PM

Probably a lot better than drinking from your boot.

**Nighthawk** · 9th September 10, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Probably a lot better than drinking from your boot.

Yeah, I've never tried that! It can't be pleasant!

**macshorty** · 9th September 10, 10:58 PM

The mug looks great!!

**Bugbear** · 10th September 10, 12:50 AM

Ya, I was reading something the other day about the goat skin wine bags and how sometimes they left the hair on the leather, and it was on the inside of the wine bag... I can't remember where I read that, though. I'll have to look through my books because there was a great quote about gitting used to the taste of goat hair.

I wonder if the pitch adds a slight flavor?

**Piper** · 10th September 10, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

I wonder if the pitch adds a slight flavor?

Not usually. There are two types of brewers pitch, dark and blonde. The dark works better in wooden vessels, as its a bit more brittle. I've used the blonde in leather, and even gourd, canteens and such, and never had a problem with an off taste. If you want a real taste treat, try taking a pull from an untreated water gourd after it's sat around for a day or two.