whats causing this

[oldshaver]

ljones, when static(no mechanical aggitation) pickling, and tanning, you really should use a rehydration bath, before the pickle, even though you only salt for 2 days. Your skins are not getting fully REHYDRATED, by throughing them straight into the pickle. If you had a round drum, that would be ok, because of the aggitation provided by the round drum.

A surfactant, cuts the surface tension of water(makes water wetter LOL), and greatly speeds up rehydration, as well as aiding in THROUGH rehydration. Knoblochs, and Rittels, both sell a surfactant. Try this just once, and I gurantee your shaving times, will be cut in half. First call one of the 2 companies I mentioned, and order a surfactant(re-wetting agent).

Allow 2.5 gallons of water per cape.  To every gallon of water, add 1/4 lb of salt, to 80deg water. Follow the directions on the surfactant, and add as directed.

Since your capes are only salted 2 days, leave them in this solution, for 5 hours, and gently stir, once an hour. Pull and drain for 30 minutes, THEN put them in your pickle. You should notice a BIG difference in your shaving . No more wrinkles, or curled edges. Skins should be like a limp dish rag. Have a good one!

[ljones]

thanks for that info oldshaver i will try that rehydration step with a wetting agent  on my next batch of hides

[Tom King]

ljones, when static(no mechanical aggitation) pickling, and tanning, you really should use a rehydration bath, before the pickle, even though you only salt for 2 days. Your skins are not getting fully REHYDRATED, by throughing them straight into the pickle. If you had a round drum, that would be ok, because of the aggitation provided by the round drum.

A surfactant, cuts the surface tension of water(makes water wetter LOL), and greatly speeds up rehydration, as well as aiding in THROUGH rehydration. Knoblochs, and Rittels, both sell a surfactant. Try this just once, and I gurantee your shaving times, will be cut in half. First call one of the 2 companies I mentioned, and order a surfactant(re-wetting agent).

Allow 2.5 gallons of water per cape.  To every gallon of water, add 1/4 lb of salt, to 80deg water. Follow the directions on the surfactant, and add as directed.

Since your capes are only salted 2 days, leave them in this solution, for 5 hours, and gently stir, once an hour. Pull and drain for 30 minutes, THEN put them in your pickle. You should notice a BIG difference in your shaving . No more wrinkles, or curled edges. Skins should be like a limp dish rag. Have a good one!

Good Information OS!!!

[Bobbi Meyer]

what would the surfacant be called from Rittels or Knoblochs?
I've got a variety of Knoblochs chemicals anything from Pre-tan 110 to the Relax R stuff or whatever it's called.
Basically a soap or detergen is a surfacant correct?
I probably didn't spell that right! LOL

[ljones]

i had the same question bobbi  after i looked in the catalog looks like they both have several things for the rehydration bath i am not sure which one to order  can you give use some product names oldshaver ? or anyone

[John C]

Find a wholesale grocer, I buy food grade salt no iodine for under $6.00 for 50lbs.. I can but a 25lb bag or a pallet. if I buy the pallet its a little cheaper.... <ost of the cattle feed salt is crsuhed rock salt and will work in a pinch, but if you tan at the shop its dirty very dirty.

[doublelung]

I have the perfect answer. KROWTANN! 

[elkhunter1313]

Too late already been suggested LOL

[doublelung]

All the K-Tann haters are going to love this.

[George Roof]

Doubtful.  We just consider the source.

[ljones]

i dont know what this post got brought back up for,    but i did find out what was causing the blue color on the hides,   it was the prussiate of soda anti caking agent in the salt ,  it reacts with iron to make the blue color ,  i changed salt and solved the problem

[Tom King]

Doubtful.  We just consider the source.

WE............ as in the a MINORITY group  LOL

[WBB793]

The salt I use has the anti cake in it, and I have tanned with soft water and hard water and never ever have I seen blue color caused by this?

[ljones]

i am using well water evidently it has the mineral iron in it, got my answer from thr salt producer

[Jake_75]

I guess I'll never understand taxidermists being a penny wise and a pound foolish.  Since when is table salt/ bakers salt/pickling salt "high priced".  I buy 20 pound bags of bakers salt in the local Food Lion for less than $4. I learned how to salt before I learned how to tan and one pound of salt will go a LONG LONG way if done correctly. The salt I buy has NO additives and never cakes unless I leave it open out in the weather. Saving a few pennies buying cattle food salt makes absolutely no sense to me and if it's costing you that much, you need to raise your prices.

Ditto- There can be no price on quality!!!