I am a part-timer and have been for four years. I work with a lady at
my day job who has an old bobcat skin that was tanned about 35-40
years ago. It was tanned by a Native American friend of her uncle. I
am now sure what method of tan was used, but they did an excellent job
as the hair remains tight. The legs on this thing are folded and I am
afraid to apply any oil or water to unfold them for fear that they are
too brittle. She would like to have the skin backed with buck-skin so
she can hang it on her wall. What method should I use to accomplish
this? What type of adhesive should I use?
Any Advise Appreciated!
Greg
Disclaimer----any time you are messing with old stuff, especially when you don't know the original methods used, you are taking a risk, and there is a possibility you could ruin the mount.
OK,
you should be able to rehydrate the skin(with water), and unfold the legs. keep a close eye on it, and don't let it soak any longer than necessary. as soon as it becomes pliable, lay it out, back it with your leather, then tack it into the shape you desire. when it dries completely(which could take a couple of weeks) trim it if necessary, and it should be ready to hang.
rehydrating and then letting it dry will cause it to become stiff, but that shouldn't be a problem for a wall hanging.
Good luck
Dave
I have lost hides that's were in a questionable condition do to water rehydration, so I started using a 75% liqua-tan, 25% water mix and have not lost one as of yet, takes a little longer and you should sweat it in the refrigerator, until it returns to the softness your looking for.
not knowing what was used to tan it be very careful and protect yourself. I'm a 39 yr old guy who as a kid ate arsenic that my dad used on all his birds. (maybe thats why I act the way I do)! Chemicals then were more plentiful and you never know what was used.
...and you lived to tell?