First tanning attempt

[peterk123]

I think it worked. Time will tell.

 

[Blue_Collar6166]

May I ask what product you used to tan this with? I'd like to get into it so I'm curious. Thank you

 

[peterk123]

May I ask what product you used to tan this with? I'd like to get into it so I'm curious. Thank you

DEER HUNTER’S & TRAPPER’S HIDE TANNING FORMULA

It certainly makes it easier. I need to make some fleshing tools though if I plan to graduate to larger game. But I'm happy to learn on rock chuckers for now. They have some pretty fur.

 

[kota]

Very cool and looks good!

I have done some chunks of deer hide for fly tying with a pickling process that seemed to work well (salt, alum and vinegar). Lots of recipes on the web, and an interesting way to get more use out of the deer. The fleshing prior to the soak, and the stretching after were the bigger tasks.

 

[taxidermybycam]

You don't wanna use the orange bottle of "tanning " formula ,that's a preservative not an actual tan. There is no pickling or neutralizing with that system if you can call it that,it's much better to use pro one performance chemicals or just send to a tannery for cheap.

 

[go_deep]

Looks great! I've never seen anyone ever have an issue with orange bottle tanning solution

 

[peterk123]

You don't wanna use the orange bottle of "tanning " formula ,that's a preservative not an actual tan. There is no pickling or neutralizing with that system if you can call it that,it's much better to use pro one performance chemicals or just send to a tannery for cheap.

What does the pickling do?

 

[waspocrew]

Looks good to me!

 

[taxidermybycam]

What does the pickling do?

It kills the bacteria,removes non tannable proteins,plumps the skin so you can shave it thin which is necessary,sets the hair up,creates a clean consistent environment for the tanning chemicals to work appropriately.prevents hair slippage.
The original poster that "tanned" the skin looks fine,but chemically it isn't a tan it's a preserve it would pass the boil test. Let's say for example he goes on vacation and his dehumidifier is off or he just lives in a humid place ,it could just rehydrate and rot.
Using the orange bottle is like hunting deer with a .22 mag. Yes it can be done and some people have good results. But it's a really bad idea and could go very wrong. I usually use a different analogy but it's highly inappropriate on a public forum .
If pickling wasn't necessary then no tannery would pickle. It would save them so much money.

 

[peterk123]

It kills the bacteria,removes non tannable proteins,plumps the skin so you can shave it thin which is necessary,sets the hair up,creates a clean consistent environment for the tanning chemicals to work appropriately.prevents hair slippage.
The original poster that "tanned" the skin looks fine,but chemically it isn't a tan it's a preserve it would pass the boil test. Let's say for example he goes on vacation and his dehumidifier is off or he just lives in a humid place ,it could just rehydrate and rot.
Using the orange bottle is like hunting deer with a .22 mag. Yes it can be done and some people have good results. But it's a really bad idea and could go very wrong. I usually use a different analogy but it's highly inappropriate on a public forum .
If pickling wasn't necessary then no tannery would pickle. It would save them so much money.

Thank you. Is salting the hide then placing in a water bath effectively the same as your pickling process?

I have the ultimate guide to skinning and tanning as my guide. Great book, I just wish it got into the why a bit more.

 

[Samson7x]

I did a coyote a while back and used Rittels ez-100 which came highly recommended and comes in a full kit. Hide is nice and soft and still looks great.

 

[taxidermybycam]

Thank you. Is salting the hide then placing in a water bath effectively the same as your pickling process?

I have the ultimate guide to skinning and tanning as my guide. Great book, I just wish it got into the why a bit more.

No that's a brine solution. You need acid, whether it's safety acid or citric acid

 

[peterk123]

No that's a brine solution. You need acid, whether it's safety acid or citric acid

Appreciate the feedback. Some of this is starting to finally make sense. Time to go out and get another rock chucker.

 

[butcherboy]

I used a lot of pro-1 chemicals when I did taxidermy. Loved their hide paste. Still have one container left just to do a few shoulder mounts here and there.