Breaking a tanned hide

[bow hunter]

I just tanned a deer hide just to have as a flat rug once it dried  it became hard. i know home tanning doesn't compare to sending it out to a tannery but im happy w/ it. Whats the best way to hand break it or is there any kind of homemade material i can put on it.

[oldterryr]

you break hide b4 it dires not after - you need to rehydrate - oil and then break - break by hand stretching of pulling over edge of table - not hard to do just a pain

[pintail_drake2004]

a table works good, but a breaking board is  your best bet. I broke mine a few years ago with a deer hide so i improvised witha  bench vise and a round nose shovel. Trust me you wont break one of those. and they last forever.

[John W.]

If you don't get to the hide quick enough you can dampen the hide again and start breaking over again,the skin will start to turn whiteish and have some moisture in it,you can stretch over the corner of a table but keep working the hide,if you have shaved properly you can get soft leather but it will take some work.