I'm experimenting with a 4x6 softening drum (Rittel's plans) to soften deer hides with the hair removed, as well as hair-on buffalo. Does anyone know of any advantages or disadvantages of corn cob grit versus sawdust for this, or less specifically, what are the general differences between the two in tumbler use.
I'm more attracted to the corn cob grit out of concern that the tannins in the sawdust might stain the leather that we tan (which stains quite easily).
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And what few tannins are left in CLEAN, hardwood sawdust can hardly be leeched out without boiling. Tannin is more evident in oak BARK and oak leaves than in clean, squarecut sawdust, but most sawdust used in tumbling is maple if I'm not mistaken.
The archives has a wealth of information about the choices of either of these two products.