What is the best tan to use for fur bearers like fox and mink to create a soft skin suitable for clothes?
Thanks
Murph
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Are you rugging them, using them in garments, or mounting them? It makes a big difference.
Murph, I have been tanning hides for taxidermy and for clothing for 16+ years. The two tanneries I would recommend are Moyle Mink and Tannery in Heyburn ,Idaho 208-678-3421 or YOST Fur Dressing in Sturgeon Bay , Wisconcin 920-743-7162.Both of these establishments are proficient in caring for your hide and returning a luxuriously soft and clean leathered and well groomed hair side specimen for the purpose of mounting, using for garments or simply using as a wall hanging or furniture throw.There are many good tanneries across the states, but I have had 1st hand experience with these two. They both were furriers for the garment industry prior to taking in taxidermy skins.
I would like to tan the skins myself for use in garments, so would like them as soft and pliable as possible, and with a tan that doesnt easily wash out. Have been thinking about brain tanning them but was wondering if there was a better way to do it.
If you want soft and supple and you want to self tan, brain tanning is your only traditional option.But you better educate yourself to the current published risks of brain tanning due to CWD. If you elect to proceed,William H. Scurlock has written a series of books titled: The Book of Buckskinning.In this series you will find step by step instruction to the braintanning process. Be prepared to spend many, many, hours and days on this process. From skinning, to stretching, the ever time consuming process of breaking the hide( for that soft, supple leather you desire) and lastly smoking the leather to weather proof it and prevent it from losing it's shape if it get's wet.Best of luck to you in this endeavor. You will truely learn a great respect for the Native Americans if you undertake this project. I myself, just do not have the time to brain tan. The traditional bone colored leather achieved by brain tanning and smoking is successfully done by many tanneries.
I have tanned my own otter and beaver for years making Hats and parkas out of them. I can attest to the fact that you want a tan that will not
leach out when wet. I have had great success with using chrometans. I use Tannuium from Van Dykes and EZ 100 from Rittels. I beleive Rittel's has a chometan as well. If you are going to sew garmets be carefull not to use an alum tan.