Anyone out there had much experience tanning beaver. I've done some with Lutan-f. My mini-flesher may work okay on deer, but is about worthless on Beaver. I'm hoping a new fleshing machine will help in this area. The beaver I did earlier ended up being way too thick, and not very soft at all. A friend tanned up several big blanket beaver for me, using lutan-f also. They were very soft due to the proper thinning job. At any rate I made some hats and mittens out of these. They worked perfect in cold weather. There's nothing better if you're out in severe cold for an extended period of time. But after several days the mittens became wet. We'd try to dry things out around a campfire. The mittens ended up quite stiff and even shrank up. So I'm thinking of going to a different garment type tan, such as chrome-tan. Anyone have experience with using this? Do you like it better than lutan-F? Any suggestions on making mittens and hats for cold weather use? Thanks for your input. Steve
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Don't do them. Send them out to professional tanneries.
just a thought i use it on almost anything but deer or anything larger than a cyote, why not a beaver?
Hi Steve, Yes I have been down the same path and yes, the chrome tan would be far better for these products but it too needs to be thinned. Chrome tanned leather is very strong and can take repeated wettings but you still need to work it as it dries as it will stiffen-all leathers are this way except for one......brain tanned indian leather that is properly smoked will take repeated wettings without getting stiff and is basically free except for the time involved. Go to www.braintan.com and learn the methods if you want futhur info. Also, NEVER dry these garments by a strong heat source or you will risk destroying them. Best of luck to you. B. Bishop
The reason they get stiff is because rapid drying using heat usually also drives out the oils in the leather. For the same reason its also wise to never use a dryer with the heating element to try to dry furs or skins.