breaking the skin

I am hoping that someone can give me some idea of when I am supposed to begin working the skin to soften it. I have used the Luten-F process to tan a beaver, and it is now through the process, and stretched. I have oiled it twice, but am not sure when to begin softening. It is still moist after being stretched for two days. There were no specifics on this with the supplies, and searching the archives has locked up my computer each time I have tried for the past three days.

Thanks,

Sean

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Now

You can start now and then do it as often as you can until you are posetive all the moisture is gone. The more you work on it the softer it will become. The hide is made up of millions of fibers that naturally want to bond back together and become solid but you must work the oil into every pocket and lubricate every fiber until it is dry and when your done , hopefully it is soft. If not, moisten it down again and start over. Have fun! Brad

Pull

I'm not sure if you meant you are pulling or actually stretched it. Like Brad said, you need to work or pull it, by hand, over the corner of the table or however. Every day or more often, depending how fast it is drying. The slower it dries, the more times you can work it. It's best to catch it at that "Just right" moisture content to do the most good.
Stretched, to me, sounds like in a hoop or nailed to a board. Just checking, so you know to WORK it. (Maybe I'm just a little slow?)
Dan K

Thanks

Thanks for the info. Brad and Dan. The fur was stretched on plywood. I was hoping that this would help it remain flat as I broke it if I dried it partly before beginning. I am a novice, and do not know if the fur will remain flat or retain its "memory".

Thanks,

Sean