Really lost over tanning vs. dry preserve

[ginevive]

I am going to start in on larger mammal mounts (I have only done squirrels thus far; used tanning cream on those.) I have been researching for months and am still back at square one: trying to decide if Dry Preserve would be better/faster to use than going through the tanning steps of pickling, etc.

I have tanned skins before using the Bruce Rittel system (saftee acid, super solvent kit.) I liked the results; I still have a partial deer backhide and a rabbit that I used it with years ago, and they came out nice. I am thinking that, for lifesize purposes, I would tan the hides (coon and opossum, at the moment) and then rehydrate and mount? Or do you just mount them when they're drying out after the oiling/sweating step?

Sorry if my questions have been asked before, but I have searched and I am really not finding the answers. I don't want to go with DP because it is less expensive in time/money, but have problems later with a skin that is not really "tanned." This is why I am leaning toward just going with the Rittel system again; because I know what the results are. Then, I look more into it, and see something like Krowtann which requires no salting.. I am lost.

My LS hides are currently fleshed, turned, and salted dry by me. I know that I might get 50 different answers here and that everyone has their opinion, but I just don't want to start down one preserving/tanning road and be told/think later that "this would have been better/easier/less cost with the same or better effects later on."

[gade04]

I would stick with the Rittel's. 

[ginevive]

I just might. I like the idea of a "submersible" tan, where every part gets soaked. This is what makes me leery to use the tanning cream on larger stuff. Really leaning more towards Rittels again.

[Keyda81]

I use the Lutan F kit that van dyke's sells.  It is a bit of lengthy process, but it's easy enough.  I rough flesh it, salt it for 12 to 24 hrs, then it goes it the pickle for a minimum of 3 days.  You can always keep it in there longer if you don't have time to get to it.  No worry's with that.  Then I degrease it(kit doesn't come with that) Now the next part some people do different.  I followed the directions that came with the kit, and didn't have a problem.  I neutralize the hide, and then in the tan it goes.  Depending on the hide the time varies.  Once the tan is done it gets oiled.  I leave the oil soak in for at least 8 hours, then you can go ahead and mount it, or roll it up and toss it in the freezer until you are ready to mount it.  Might seem like a lot to do, but it's actually pretty easy.  Especially if are sticking with small mammals.  One thing you will need a lot of when doing this is salt.  I have done several squirrel tails, 3 deer tails, 2 yote tails, and the cape from my deer with the Lutan, and have had great results with all of them.  No slippage to speak of. 

[Pinebear]

You should look into Trubond products. The procedure is simple enough and you'll like the results. Just salt, rehydrate with degreaser, pickle 3 days, neutralize and rub in the tan then stretch hide as it dries.

[Dougtman]

Just another option, I like Lutan f and still do that with deer, but have switched to Krowtann from medium and small mammal work.  Less salt intensive, just rough flesh then into the Krowtann for three/four days, agitate daily, rinse, neutralize, final flesh, then oil and mount or freeze for later. 

[George Roof]

Ginevive, this ain't rocket science. As you see, everyone uses the "best"choice method when you ask them. From your comments I see, like MOST TAXIDERMISTS, you don't really know what the separate processes really do. Why is DP the only accepted method for birds but taboo when you put hair on that skin? Many people actually think Krowtan is a tan. Same with JRTS without a pickle. The meridian you choose SHOULD be match with you intentions. If you want a garment tan, you should use chrome,and the list goes on. In the OLD FORUMS type in "Wet tan,dry tan, dry preservative" in the search block. ALL THE CHOICES WORK WELL WITHIN THEIR LIMITATIONS. You should use whatever you trust until you decide to try something else. Good luck.

[ginevive]

Right on. I have been researching them all. It's a big world out there full of information and misinformation, but I am tryin. Going to stick with the Rittel's system with pickle, because it gave me nice results, true leather, and I am not going to try to go with something else just because it is quicker.

[George Roof]

Then your first and biggest job is going to be telling me exactly what a "true tan" and "true leather" really is.  If you can do that you'll have beaten all the others who've tried in the few months I've been doing this.

[ginevive]

Well, isn't DP just that: a preservative? Not really a method of tanning a skin? I want something to be tanned, not preserved. I am still putting a lot of pieces together in regards to defining pickling and tanning, but I know that the Rittel system gave me good results with a nice leather product, and so that is what I meant by true leather.

And (hopefully I am getting this right..) Krowtann is not truly a tan. Up until yesterday when I researched it more, I thought that it was. It seemed like hey, here's a tan that has fewer steps (no salting?!) so why do all of those steps! Now hopefully that was a good explanation.

[George Roof]

What is "rawhide"? It's used in many applicate preceded over leather? DP IS a "preservative" and user the right circumstances lasts as long as leather. "Pickling" was once accepted as "tanning" thus Krowtann could be accepted as leather. Pressure tanning is a one-step process.  Is it tanning? Using alum as a pickle AND a tan is accepted by many. Chrome is preferred over vegetable tans for garments, so why is that?

I'm not trying to confuse you. We both "know" what a tan is, but the "definition" is too vague to make claims about. That's why I said there is none. What it amounts to is "preference".

[ginevive]

Sounds good. I think that the best way for me to actually see what works best, is to try out a few different options. I am going to work on that.