This is my first year at attempting to tan deer skins. I got most of my information on the internet. I also purchased a book. I started out with 6 hides. My first one came out the best. The 2nd got rock hard. #3 came out very thin & has a tendancy to tear. #4 keeps getting hard. I am using Alum for tanning and a cable for softening I have done the same thingon each hide, but they all come out different. The four references that I have, use basically the same recipies, but have different times for each step. Any Advice?
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What is the recipe.
1 Lb ammonia alum in 1 gal of water; 4 oz washing soda & 8 oz salt in 1/2 gal of water, both solutions mixed together
Though alum is in the classified as a tan but any tan that can leach out or wash out is truly not a true tan. Any way you also need to oil the hides to help soften them. I can go on about Alum but there's no need.
If you want there are so much better tans on the market that gives you a true tanand won't wash out unless you boil the hide. These are true tans. My fovorites are EZ-100 from Rittel's and Liqua-tan from Knobloch's. Each has a web site and will answer many questions you have. Try them if you want a tan that is very consistent.