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Post by 72camaro on Oct 1, 2012 12:08:25 GMT -7
Commercial hides seem to be baby soft and very smooth on the backside of a hide with hair left on. Mine was somewhat soft by the time it was done but the backside was very rough looking. What did I miss on prepping it smooth?
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Post by Timber Butte Outdoors on Oct 1, 2012 18:36:41 GMT -7
I would like to help you out, but I don't know anything about tanning or the procedures of such. Sorry! I would think that there is someone here that has an idea?  ? |
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Post by broper on Oct 2, 2012 4:45:26 GMT -7
Did you scrape the hide good when it was still green? I know hardly anything about prepping the hide or tanning but I do know that they're supposed to be scraped good after removing from the carcase.
Bob
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Post by 72camaro on Oct 2, 2012 13:05:31 GMT -7
It was scraped so all muscle and fat was off the hide. I am wondering if there is a timing sequence of washing it where it is a certain condition and it peels instead of cutting the fat and muscle off? I noticed when I hand washed the pelt for about 30 minutes that I could sort of peel another layer of the skin, but I only did that in a few areas and I wasn't sure if that is what they do.
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Post by 72camaro on Feb 10, 2014 21:38:47 GMT -7
This hide turned out much better than the badger hide. I learned the tail is very thin and if you pull it too hard you will lose a bunch of it and make it look like a bear. If you want a bigger hide shoot a bigger deer. But this young buck was very tender and the pelt is very soft. You have to work the daylights out of the skin while it is in the tanning solution and drying. If it gets too dry put a damp towel on the area and repeat the tanning solution and stretch it more often and sooner. Don't get stuck trying to thin the hide too much. I didn't do it at all this time and it worked out fine, as well as softer. The badger I thinned and it is rough as can be. More tanning solution is not always the answer, the badger leather is really yellow and a bit stiff. The badger still has to stay in the garage, the deer hide can come in the house and stay.   Badger hide:  |
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Post by Timber Butte Outdoors on Feb 11, 2014 11:46:05 GMT -7
Shawn, Are you using softening oil on the leather, and then breaking them well! Gary |
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Post by 72camaro on Feb 11, 2014 14:10:17 GMT -7
I'm salting then putting the tanning solution on and then as it is drying stretching till it turns white and soft. Have not heard of any leather softening oil that I'm suppose to use. The directions were to continue to stretch it and the more you stretch it the softer it gets, and that did seem to work. This is way different than the ugly way the badger board worked out. It is still somewhat stiff.
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Post by Timber Butte Outdoors on Feb 11, 2014 14:47:07 GMT -7
My friend does all his own tanning. I am not sure what kind of tanning you are using, but he is using the soak method, degrease, tan, etc.... than he uses an oil that makes the leather soft. I can find out his method, and oil that he uses, and let you know what it is.
As for the badger pelts. If you will feel the badger hides, you will notice that the leather on the back and along the sides are much thicker than the belly. This is their armor or protection. My friend, when he does a badger tan, he uses a Dremel tool to sand down to thin this area, to make the leather uniform across the pelt, and it will not be so stiff in the middle of the pelt along the back.
You can use the cloths drier to break the leather. On NO HEAT, put the pelt in the drier with a couple pairs of tennis shoes, and let tumble until soft and supple.
I will see if I can find out more for you!
Gary
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Post by 72camaro on Feb 11, 2014 20:20:49 GMT -7
My friend does all his own tanning. I am not sure what kind of tanning you are using, but he is using the soak method, degrease, tan, etc.... than he uses an oil that makes the leather soft. I can find out his method, and oil that he uses, and let you know what it is. As for the badger pelts. If you will feel the badger hides, you will notice that the leather on the back and along the sides are much thicker than the belly. This is their armor or protection. My friend, when he does a badger tan, he uses a Dremel tool to sand down to thin this area, to make the leather uniform across the pelt, and it will not be so stiff in the middle of the pelt along the back. You can use the cloths drier to break the leather. On NO HEAT, put the pelt in the drier with a couple pairs of tennis shoes, and let tumble until soft and supple. I will see if I can find out more for you! Gary I wouldn't mind if you could find out another way, although I think I'm finally getting it down some. I can tell you, without quivication, that the badger will not be going in the dryer her as long as I'm married. lol She hates the badger hide for some reason and it is possibly the smell, even though mostly gone and not bad she still remembers what it first smelled like and is not going to forget. |
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Post by Timber Butte Outdoors on Feb 11, 2014 22:24:13 GMT -7
I know what you mean about badger smell. But, I do know the method of tan that my buddy uses, the hide has no small after the degreasing process. And when he is done with it, it just smells like a tanned hide.
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Post by broper on Feb 12, 2014 9:01:41 GMT -7
When I was a kid my mom used a belt to tan hides. Have you tried that?
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Post by Timber Butte Outdoors on Feb 12, 2014 9:24:30 GMT -7
BAAHHHAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH Roper! Used a belt to tan hides! ROFLMBO!!!  |
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Post by broper on Feb 13, 2014 6:01:38 GMT -7
But when she got done the backside wasn't to smooth, kinda felt like welts and very warm feeling!
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Post by earthwalker on Jul 30, 2015 13:24:37 GMT -7
They shave the back of the leather to make them thinner and soft and pliable. Special machine to do it.
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