I tanned a axis hide for a rug and the top edges around the neck are getting hard and starting to curl up.What can be done to fix this, and what do I need to do to prevent it from happening again
Return to Tanning Category Menu
I know you wanted to do this yourself but...send your hide to a tannery for a professional soft. It is difficult to achieve even remotely soft hide with a even suede back. An Axis Full Back hide will set you back about $35 then you can buy quality batting and felt for border. If "doing it yourself" is a must, try belt sanding the hide to a thin smooth texture (were a dust mask) this should allow for further softening by staking over a beam a couple of days later if your fingers are not too sore, you can apply the backing and border. I have done the afore mention, thats why I send them out.
Jim M.
What can I do at this point to fix the problem,rehydrate and flesh the hide down thinner and re-oil or start over.
Ref:Tanned hide curling on edges(2-5-04)