I have a hide that is tanned that I would like to break and make softer. I have protol tanning oil and would like to rebreak the hide, the question that I have is do I have to relax the hide with a salt water mixture or should I just add protol to the leather side let it soak in and break the hide? If I work it long enough the leather should turn out soft and supple even without tumbling in a tumbler?
Thanks for the help
Joe
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Protal sucks! I am about to publish compare/contrast results of small animal oiling w/the WASCO oil vs. Protal. The amount of yellowing from the Protal is just unbelievable. Plus the skins are now somewhat stiffer.
Rehydrate the skin partially. Then degrease the skin and re-oil it with a good oil. Get something from Rittel's or WASCO.
Practice what I preach, eh? I just finished re-fleshing and re-oiling a customer bobcat pelt originally oiled with Protal. It was stiff as a board, now it's beautiful again.
I'm not one for knocking any company down unless there is a good reason. Potal does work fine and you do need to follow the directions to the tee. But I have an oil that's a bit better from Knoblochs. It was given to me by my tannery (East Coast) to try on my deer hides etc. (they only get my bear)and tell me if there was difference in the oils. I'll tell you this it works out great and still leaves the hide white.
Knobloch's carries a few different type oils and the one I use is there #1 tanning oil. I use it on all my hides that I tan. I still use and love Bruce's EZ-100 besides Liqua-tan and then do a betryal and use Mark's oil on the tanned hide. Try it you'll like. I think Mikie said that also, boy that's an old commercial.