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Tanning Leather

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Chief RID:
I have read so much about this and never done it. I am too lazy, I guess. It is on my bucket list and time is of the essence.

Pappy:
Chief it is something that you have to really want to do, not sure on other methods but Brain tanning and getting it soft is a whole lot of work and time. I have folks every year say ya I want to learn to tan a hide, for most once is enough ???  and they never ask again. By the time they get a hide to rawhide they have usually about had it. ;)Lots of people now days want it Now, they think just rub something on it and wala you got soft leather. :o  I love doing it when I have the time and the weather is right , But ha I got nothing else to do. ;) :)
 Pappy

BowEd:
You bet.There's really not any short cuts to nice durable leather that I know of.You get what you put into it.You can refine your methods to make it easier and maybe a little faster but that's about it.The only way to figure that out is to do a lot of them.
I really like vegetable tan leather for straps etc.Seems to last through all the mud,blood,and wear and tear I put it through.Brain tan too feels like softened flannel with an aroma....lol,but now brain tan does not neutralize any of the natural components of the leather.Brain tan is raw ide tough!!!
There's got to be 30 different ways to tan a hide.Each has it's own benefits and makes useful material.

BowEd:
The very easiest method of tanning I do is aluminum sulfate/pickling salt method.Neutralize with about 2 to 3 fresh water rinseings after it is cured.Wait for it to cure in a bath usually within a week depending how strong the solution is and this method you really can't over chemical it  anyway.Usually 1# of aluminum sulfate and 2#'s of pickling salt will do a deer hide.You can guage it from there for smaller hides as to amounts.It can go by weight but does not need to be exact.Minimal amount of softening by hand[not near like brain tanning] and then a light bit of neats foot oil for suppleness is all that's required.Makes egg shell white leather which you can dye in the solution too or later with powders and an adjuvant.
Done literally hundreds of hair on hides this way.Of course the thicker the leather is the more work in softening it there is.

BrianS:
Chief RID,
For a long time I wanted to brain tan a deer hide. Never seemed to have the time. This past year I made the time and tanned the hide from a doe I shot. It was a very rewarding process. A lot of work but worth the effort. I am anxious to do another hide this year if I am fortunate enough to kill a deer. I am also going to try tanning some squirrel skins and maybe a coon. I had very limited knowledge but with the help of a few experienced friends my first hide turned out pretty good. I made a shooting bag out of it. Not perfect but I made it myself and every time I use it, it gives me satisfaction knowing I killed the deer, processed the hide and made it into a usable item. My point is: Just jump in and give it a try.
Good luck,
Brian

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