I went through the archives and I believe it was George that said he puts the fawns in a pickle before skinning them as it helps toughen the skin up a little. Just wondering what kind of pickle you use to do that and what's the best way to preserve the hide? Krowtann or borax or something along that line? What's the best way to skin for a standing fawn to hide the seam? These are unborn fawns that were fully developed and due to be born in a week or two but the doe wasn't so lucky.
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I'd use a commercial acid like Safetee Acid to pickle those tender hides. I'm not much a believer in home recipes. I suppose Krowtann would work, but I just don't use it. I use John Rinehart's tan on them which gives them unequalled stretch. Just be VERY CAREFUL with them. That hair will pull out so very easily regardless. their skin is so thin, there's little epidermal layer to hold the roots.
Its not as good as salting first in the conventional manner, but throwing an iffy speciman like a fawn or fox or rabbit into the pickle is something I do too.
So is it better to skin it first, salt it and than tan it or put the whole body in a pickle for a certain amount of time and then skin it? IF so what kind of pickle? What's the best way to tan them? skin them? Thanks
Just be careful to NEVER PULL THE HIDE or try to pry it. The animal is unborn and the skin can be like a wet paper towel.
Any pickle, to me, means formic or safety acid, as I have no need to try any others that may well be good. Toughen it up, then skin as usual, then salt, pickle as usual, and continue...as usual!
Have you ever tried that, putting the whole fawn in the pickle? I think I'd rather stay away from the formic acid, sounds a little to harsh at times, but how do I mix the saftee acid pickle? Thanks!
Thats just to be fair. To each gallon of water, add a lb of salt and then add safety acid until you get the pH reading of 2, I believe it is. 1.5 or so, I forget, as I use the same old strips so long, I just make sure the strip is red! The safety acid will have directions from Bruce along with it.
Normally I throw something raw like that into an old batch of pickle and then, because of blood and leakage, I dispose of it afterward.
Sounds easy enough, shouldn't hurt it to put in a fresh batch should it? Bout how long should I leave it in there? Thanks alot to all of you, your all a great help!