Mammal,Fish,and Bird Tans

Submitted by Andy S. on 05/13/2004 at 07:22. ( ) 66.59.97.77

I looked in the archives but couldn't find the answer as to why mammal tans will not work on fish and bird skins.I assume a different chemical composition but I'd like to know for sure.Thanks!

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There are a million posts on tanning in the archives.

This response submitted by Todd B on 05/13/2004 at 09:53. ( ) 4.224.54.167

If you read them you will see that most say that birds do not require tanning. Fish do not get tanned either. The most used method for birds is dry preservative. The most preferred method for fish is a borax soak or denatured alcohol.

Todd B


Thanks Todd, but.....

This response submitted by Andy S. on 05/13/2004 at 20:05. ( ) 66.59.97.193

I wasn't asking if fish or bird skins need tanned, I was curious as to why a mammal tan would not work with these skins should you want to tan them. Like I said, I assume their chemical composition is different than mammals and therefore the tanning agents wouldn't turn fish or bird skin into leather using a mammal tan. I just wanted to know for sure.


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