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Bark-tan help

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hoot n shoot:
this is hoot n shoots prettier half here,
i have done quite a bit of bark tan
hickory is not on my list of high tannin content but that is not to say it would not work, trust your nose and taste the solution (w/o hide in it!) it should taste VERY astringent, leave your mouth feeling dry and puckery- oak,willow spruce,alder bark and sumac leaves are some other sources. walnut will not tan just great for dying.
as for your questions, i always leave the bark in and add fresh brew frequently for the first 10 days- for example-
hide in- stir several times at least every day for first few days
day three strengthen- stir 2-3 times
day 5 check solution- smells ok? and when hand is submerged cannot see my fingers 3-4" below surface? if no then strengthen
day 7 or 8 check again- the rate of absorbing has probably considerably slowed and my stirring is less frequent now - i may take it out and remembrane as you have done- more you stir the faster this will all happen.
depending on hide, temperature and the tannin content of your solution it will take a minimum of 2 weeks (that is absolute best case)- usually 3-5 is typical - a monster buck may take longer.

seems like your hide was DRY ("in your shed?") before going into the solution. may be fine for experimentation purposes BUT- i have tried several dried then bark tanned hides with not so great outcomes- the grain layer shrinks down tight and you must work the dickens out of it wet BEFORE putting it into any solution to prevent cracking of the grain. I say it is like trying to reconstitute a dried apple slice and getting to feel like a fresh apple- cells have collapsed before inserting the tannin.

hope this helps

mcginnis6010:
Thanks that was very informative and helpful. Yea the hide was part of a larger piece of raw hide I store in a container in my shed that I use for various rawhide projects. But it is an experiment so its a great learning experience.

BowEd:
hoot n shoot's prettier half is dead right.Now I'm wondering too whether you have taken the epidermis membrane off off your hide on the hair side.I'm sure quicker penetration would happen if that were off too.You can get those PH level testing strips from a swimming pool supplier to test your PH.

nclonghunter:
Looks like you are trying to use local tanning agents, but look at Van Dykes Taxidermy and look at the Quebracho tanning. It comes from a plant or bark from another area but it is a vegetable tanning agent that is natural and full of tannin. It is just as good as oak, hemlock or sumac tanning. You can leave a hide in vegetable tans for a long time. Old timers would leave cow hides in bark tans for months at a time. Good info in the Fox Fire books on bark tanning the old ways. The picture you posted looks like the fleshy side of the hide still has membrane or flesh still on it. The hair side or grain side does not need to be removed for bark tanning, it will produce a thicker stronger hide. Brain tanning it must be removed. Also, if you want to speed the bark tanning you can purchase a pickling crystals that dissolve the fatty substance in the hides pores and speed tanning.
I have done a good bit of brain and bark tanning and it is rewarding to make gear, clothes and stuff. Also for bark tanning you will need a good oil to help soften the hide unless you want it stiff. Brain oils soften brain tanned hides.....Good Luck

hedgeapple:
I saw cow brains in Meijers grocery store the other day.

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