Making An Elk Rawhide Hand Drum

This is me making a hand drum back in 2015. One of my favorite items to make are drums, but I don't get a chance to make one very often. I typically make them as repairs or custom orders. About twice a year I will teach a hand drum making class in southern California.
I like using elk rawhide for hand drums because it produces the best sound with some awesome reverb. Deer rawhide is too thin and buffalo hide is too thick for this sized drum.
You can see more of my creations at www.elkracktraders.com.

[@antigov7591]

Looks good. You should do another where you explain the process.

[@random_native]

heres the process hunt or buy the hide build or buy a frame soak the hide it depends on what the hide is if its deer soak for 1 hour elk or cow 1day

[@random_native]

the frame is wood and glue you soak the wood in water then bend it into a circle than you wood glue it together now the drum head if its 15 inches cut out a 24 inch circle of hide...... lacing cut out 1'5 lacing that works best to alotta people i know and the holes around 1'75 to 2 inches for the holes in the drum hide

[@CanadianDivergent]

Supposedly Elk, has the best sound for the De'waagan, because the call of the Elk, the sound goes through the body. I made my first drum which was Elk about 14 years ago.

[@elkracktraders2678]

I think elk rawhide is the best material for large and medium sized hand drums.

[@CanadianDivergent]

@@elkracktraders2678 becoming harder to get now. only a few wild Elk left in my area. Thanks!!

[@jerryswallow]

very nice

[@hebagawi7301]

I like it what did you use to tie it well ?❤

[@random_native]

its rawhide lacing it's the same thing as the drum head which is the hide