My nieghbor has 2 domestic sheep skins which he would like me to tan into fairly soft leather with the hair on . The hides have not been fleshed but have been salted, sprinkled with borax, folded flesh side to flesh side and stored in a dry place with good air cyrculation. They have been that way for about two years. They don't smell too bad and the hair is not coming out when I pull on it. I would like to know if I am going to run into problems tanning such old skins or if it is even worth trying to do so. Also, I have only done brain tanning so far and was planning on doing these the same way. If there is a better and/or easier way to do these sheep skins please tell me. Thank you.
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Borax is on the wrong end of the pH scale. particles of Hydrogen. Very alkaline.
I would send them to a tannery, sheep and gots just plain stink and the tannery can comb them out for you.
Forgive me if this is a dumb question. Is it possible to balance the pH level in the hides by using a light acid on the oppisite side of the pH scale? I know that when brain tanning leather that if you put a skin in lye for bucking you have to ether rinse it in moving water or soak it in vinegar and water to counter the effects of the lye. Is there a method similar for this or a different one that works. Thank you for your help.