For my first tanning project I have chosen a Red Angus steer hide that I helped raise and recently butchered. Unfortunately my boyfriend did not wash him as well as I would have liked prior to slaughter. So now I have a very big hide that is rather dirty. Mostly he has lots of manure type balls clinging to the entire edge of the hide. Will these soften up easily when I wash it?
I have the help of someone who does some taxidermy and is familiar with basic tanning. So far the hide has been rough fleshed and is now on its second day of salting. I have a large stock tank to use for the washing, pickling stages.
Should I shave it w/power flesher prior to washing/pickling? or should it be washed at least somewhat before pickling? Not exactly sure how to proceed from here. I know that it will take several washings to get it clean. The presense of the manure likely will make my pickle pretty unstable?
I think I will have difficulty shaving the areas where there is the clumps because the hide will be "bumby" when placed on a beam.
I know I've asked a lot of questions already but I probobly will have more before I'm done.
Return to Tanning Category Menu
Wash it before you pickel it, and shave it in the middle of pickeling. Allthough a steer hide is alot heavier and thicker and not exactally what I would have choosen for my first project, it is done just like any other hide, The dung balls your refering to should soften and wash out no problem. Have your help handy when it comes time to shave it, its going to take awhile and get heavier as you go (i know it should get lighter but believe me you wont think it is). I guess if you can make it thru this for your first one anything else (short of a buffalo) will be a breeze.Like I said its the same process. If you need to, do a search on tanning procedures with the orange button and you should find all kinds of things to help. Good Luck
You have to wash skin before pickel. Very important for many reason. 1 the dung will change ph may result in slipage 2 bacteria use a disinfectent pine-sol You will get a oder in the hide .3If you cut your self you will get a infection.If you really want a great hide you might want to send it to a tannery. Ihave been tanning over 20 yers thats one of my least favorit things to do .Good luck with it.I hope this will help.