I checked on my hide today, which has been frozen (it's been really cold up here in Michigan!) and as it's thawing it smells kinda funky. Not necessarily rotten, just different. Is that normal? (I know I must sound like a complete idiot, I'm so sorry... I'm just trying to learn...) When I ran my hands over the hair and picked it a little, some hair came out. Not like in a big chunk or anything, but like regular shedding; just a few long hairs. Is my hide okay? Or should I try to get a new one? I don't want to waste the tanning solution that I have on a hide that is going to be crap. Thanks a lot for your time and patience; I know how tedious it is responding to beginners.
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and dont fool with the hair any more. You should get the big chuncks of fat and meat off and turn everything before salting then the next day, shake out old salt and resalt and then dry rock hard. Salt can do wonders but if the cape is really bad you will know it as the thing will be shedding in big clumps. Save the thing if at all possible. Good luck
skins and slipping hides is the automatic tanner, I've taken slipping, rotten skins and salvaged them by getting them in the alum mix with minimal handling. I know it's not an option all can afford but certainly one worth socking money away for, it's truly amazing what Steve Rotamels machine can do. It's not by a long shot going to make your life easier in the sense that it's all up to you with one. ie: pickling [pretanning] fleshing, finish tanning etc, it can be labor intensive,no more salting and off to the tannery....
but everything remains in your hands under your control. No more "OOOPPPSS"S" from a tannery, if there's a hole, you made it, with practice your proficiency picks up and you can save even the nastiest of hides, just my 3 cents.
what is alum mix ? i would like to try that one on a quiestionable hide i have frozen. thanks.
to a gallon of H2O if that'll submerse the skin, and half of capful of his Bucktan Scour. If that's not enough to submerse the skin, double everthing or use another 1/2 gallon of water to 7ozs of crystals and another 1/4 cap of scour. Works for me. I'm not talking about the new "bucktan" crystals, although that may work as well, I'm referring to the original crystals he still sells in big bags, not individual weighed pouches.
thanks