I've read in several forums, that during the tanning process, you must shave the hide. What does this mean?
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A deer cape/hide is fleshed after skinning off the skull, which removes the meat and fat and some membrane. Then it is salted,(traditionally) and depending on the method preferred, either allowed to dry or placed in a pickle,(acid/salt solution) after pickling for a length of time,(home tanning is about 3 days) the hide has gone through a controlled swelling/tightening that firms it up and allows it to be shaved. A fleshing machine, or round knife is most typically then used to shave this hide thin. After shaving the hide, it is returned to the pickle, neutralized and tanned and oiled depending on the final product desired. Rittel has a good web site describing some of this and the orange search on the left will fill you in on all the variations of the process. Have fun.
Have you ever thought about takeing school coureses for taxidermy if interested give me a call, in Wisconsin, you will not be disapointed
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Ron Wegner
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