I recently purchased a buffalo hide that was tanned using aluminum sulfate. I would like to use this hide as a robe, and for outdoor use. Can this be done? Or will there be problems should the hide get wet? Is there any way to protect it should it be a problem?
Thank you,
Greg
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Alum is still a fringe tan in my book and it can and will wash out of a hide that's exposed to water. It will also convert to sulfuric acid and the cape will fall to pieces after an extended period. Click that Orange SEARCH icon and type in "alum tan". There's plenty of good reading there.
Alum is not a fringe tan. This wheel does not need re-inventing. I dont care what you tan with, but there is nothing wrong with an alum tan! I have a half deer hide off a buck I killed in 1991- alum tanned- I have soaked it in water once a week for the last four months, trying to see if this myth has any balls, it doesnt. I put it on a shelf in the wet room where I work. The wet room temps reach 90 degrees or more sometimes-along with extreme humidity. I have pulled on that damn hide in all directions, with all my stregnth, and still cant tear it! I have put this skin thru more abuse than it would see in 75 years in someones home! Knowing how to corectly tan using alum is the problem. George, what tan would you suggest in the place of alum? Along with that let me see a gurantee of shelf of that product! I dont know of any gurantees, just a lot of claims that are made to persuade taxidermists to buy their more expensive product. If you dont believe me about the hide, e-mail me and I will mail you a section of it.