whats causing this

[misanoel]

On the subject of impurities, I've read repeatedly NOT to used iodized salt. 

Why is iodine taboo, when other additives (including cyanogens) are never mentioned?

Is "iodized" simply shorthand for "any salt containing additives"?

What effect, if any, does iodine have on the tanning/pickling process?

[misanoel]

I just called the local Walmart, where Morton Canning & Pickling salt is $1.16/4-lb box.

[George Roof]

Iodized salt is NOT taboo.  It was once ASSUMED that iodine additives would turn a hide purple, but in actuality, iodine, a deadly poison to humans, is added in such minuscule amounts as to be a non-player in the big scheme of things.

[misanoel]

Interesting, George, and thank you.   

As far as I know, iodine tincture turns purple when in contact with starch (like on a slice of fresh potato, if anybody remembers that "experiment" from grade-school chemistry).  I wouldn't suppose a deer hide contains a whole lot of starch, which is among the reasons I was curious about that precaution.

But, in general, the simpler the chemistry, the more predictable the result.  As you implied earlier, I'd go with the purest ingredients that are reasonably affordable.  Fifteen dollars for approximately 50 lbs of unadulterated salt isn't outrageous.

[coonhollow]

granular salt 80 pound bags between $6.50 & $8.50 per bag individually, less if you take a pallet. this is not! stock salt...there is a difference between stock salt, and granular "mixing salt" . but if you are ok with paying $15.00 for 50 pounds of the same salt. god bless ya you are helping my local economy!

[misanoel]

Like anything, you get back what you put in.  If your supplies are contaminated, unexpectedly weird results can happen, and hours of labor plus additional money/materials can be lost. 

Nothing wrong with experimenting.  We all like to save money!  Just be aware of the potential risks.

[coonhollow]

ask the tanneries what salt they use? I'm sure its not in 4# boxes..this is the same salt I have seen at each tannery I have visited. we have 2 major salt plants here and I would bet they supply almost every tannery east of the Mississippi..

[misanoel]

I'm not trying to be contentious.  Sorry if you take it that way.  I suspect the big-time tanneries pay wholesale prices for their supplies, and my comments are not directed to them for all sorts of reasons that should be obvious.

Clearly this thread was started by someone who is not an industrial-scale tanner, and I suspect there are many other such members here.  For those who process, say, a dozen hides or fewer per year, I'd imagine 50 lbs ($15 worth max) of salt would be at least close to adequate.  And if someone tans only 2 or 3 hides a year, why do they need a 50 lb bag of salt?  Why not just buy a couple of boxes of Morton's for around $2?

[misanoel]

All of that said, though, it might be helpful to those who do LOTS of home tanning if you could furnish information about where they can get 80 lb bags of pure, clean salt for $8.  Is there a website listing distributorships?  What about shipping costs?

[oldshaver]

ljones, are you sure that first photo of yours, is a deer hide that has been pickled? It looks to me, like that skin, just came out of a rehydration bath, with too much salt?

I know I am changing the subject here, but, if that hide has been pickled, it doesnt look right at all? From the photo I see, the hide, is NOT relaxed enough for shaving, and was not ready for the pickle? Maybe Im too used to seeing skins, that have been in a round drum?

Do you use a surfactant in your rehydration bath? And how much salt are you using? Im just asking, because, that hide could be made MUCH easier to shave, with a little effort!

[ljones]

oldshaver that hide had been in the pickle only 2 days when i took that picture , i am using 1 pound of salt per gallon and keep the ph around 1.5 with saftey acid , i tan all my deer capes in house starting with a fresh hide that is salted for 2 days then goes directly in the pickle for a min. of 3 days then shaved then back to the pickle for 1 day min. , nuteralized then tanned with ez 100 i do around 100 of my own customer deer capes per year with no problems. what is this surfactant you refered to and what does it do?

[Tom King]

Ive used that same salt that he used before and it turned the water blue.............There is something in the Feed salt that caused that..........
I bought that salt because they was out of the salt I normally use.The feed salt is a coarser grain than the Meat salt I use and there is something added to it that has a blueish tint...........

[ljones]

well, i mixed up another small batch of pickle using regular table salt  an so far no blue color  so i guess it obviously was  the salt causing this

[cyclone]

oldshaver that hide had been in the pickle only 2 days when i took that picture , i am using 1 pound of salt per gallon and keep the ph around 1.5 with saftey acid , i tan all my deer capes in house starting with a fresh hide that is salted for 2 days then goes directly in the pickle for a min. of 3 days then shaved then back to the pickle for 1 day min. , nuteralized then tanned with ez 100 i do around 100 of my own customer deer capes per year with no problems. what is this surfactant you refered to and what does it do?

Bam! There you have it OS...no re-hydration step..

Is that too Emeril?

[cyclone]

On the subject of impurities, I've read repeatedly NOT to used iodized salt. 

Why is iodine taboo, when other additives (including cyanogens) are never mentioned?

Is "iodized" simply shorthand for "any salt containing additives"?

What effect, if any, does iodine have on the tanning/pickling process?

Iodine is a micro-nutrient.  It's an additive to salt, not an impurity.  It helps prevent goiters among other afflictions caused by iodine deficiency. 

It has never been proven to have harmful effects where tanning is concerned.