Is there anyway to prevent slipping of hides. I've been tanning deer, small mammals ect. The PH has been right on in my pickle and tanning solutions, but every once in a while I have a deer hide that slips. Any in put would be great. Concerned taxidermist. Thanks
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Dave, I have been tanning my own hides for 5-6 years and have tanned for other taxidermists. After turning the capes, I salt the cape. I only let the salt sit on the cape for 3 hours. Then shake off salt, rinse in sink and put in pickle (formic acid). I know we're taught to salt dry our capes and found that I had slippage, too. I think it was in the rehydration baths. By using my method, I think the acid is killing more bacteria that may be in the hide. I no longer have slippage, I get excellent stretch and I use less salt. I feel very confident with this advice. On the rare occasion I have slippage, it's due to how the customer took care of it - out of my control.
Give this a try!
dont rehydrate - putted salted skin straight into pickle
or just use krowtann and skip salting altogether