Someone please clear up as to the right terminology?
I'm wondering myself...
"Dry-Tan" = tanned skin,oiled and tumble dryed..possibly sanded
OR dry "preserved"
"Wet-Tan" = tanned, oiled then frozen or mounted?
Theres soooo much to remember!
Thanks in advance!
A "Wet Tan" is simply a skin or cape that's been tanned and oiled, but never dried! Normally a Tannery will Damp-Dry it to lessen its outside surface water content before shipping, but basically its still soft, limber, and damp. When it arrives - you have 2 options - mount it, or freeze it until later. Guys like it because it avoids rehydration later - but it will tie up freezer space if yopu put it on hold. Another option is to dry it yourself - and simply rehydrate it later - it saves freezer space!
A "Dry Tan" is one which arrives soft, dried and suitable to be cut and made into garments or crafts. After the tanning and oiling - the skin is dried, and degreased in a sawdust Tumbling Drum, then tumbled in sawdust to soften it until completely dry. I prefer the dry method! This allows you to hang the skin or cape around your shop until you're ready to use it. Then rehydrate it over-night and mount it. I am one of those guys that grudgingly gives up his freezer space!
I guess you can call DP treated skins and capes a form of "Wet Tan" too. Actually its probably the best way to buy and ship them if you use DP, since I am not sure they are very easy to rehydrate and mount after drying out. If you do buy one however, I'd be sure to ask what was used, and make sure it arrives in a "damp" condition, suitable for mounting or freezing until you're ready!
Here's one for the archives everyone..
Thank You Bruce!
look
...although Bruce is correct, because he IS the tam man, many folks use those terms in error. They often call dry tan a skin thats treated with DP. Of course, us purists say that this isnt truly a tan, making it a moot point, but...the terms do clash!