can anyone tell me wether you can use sulphuric acid in a pickle? could you use it instead of formic acid?i am having trouble finding formic acid here in australia. thankyou your help would very appreciated greatly.
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Sulphuric acid was used in pickles at one stage but i wouldnt recomend it, nasty stuff.David Luxford supplies formic acid give him a bell.
In the years before McDonalds and 8-Track tapes, sulfuric acid was the staple used in all tanning. Just remember, pour the acid IN THE WATER, not the water in the acid.
Yes - it can be used in a pickle. Leather Tanneries use it - but they also tan with Chrome which eliminates any residual Sulphate being left the skin later. It's okay to use it when Chrome tanning but for other tans you are simply loading them up with sulphate that later draws moisture and turns back into Sulphuric Acid - which weakens the skin with age.
I also prefer Formic over Sulphuric simply because the Formic pickled skins have more plump to them for easier shaving. Sulphuric pickled skins do not.