I bought 2 bear skins in a package deal both were fleshed and salt dried upon receipt. Both were rehydrated in a solution of 2lbs salt and 3 cups stop rot/gal h20.THey were then washed in dawn for about 15 minutes rinsed well and then they were put in a saftey acid pickle for three days, PH below 1.5. Both were shaved and then degreased in dawn for about 15 minutes, 1cup/20 gal h20, rinsed well and ready to be placed back in the pickle. After rinsing the small bear when I picked it up the skin tore like wet paper. Nothing wrong with the large bear, no slippage on either. Could this have been an old hide and that have been the cause? I have done previous bears exactly like this and they turned out great. The feet on the small bear still had the bones in them and they stunk so bad when I was shaving the hide I cut them off. Could this have been the culprit? Any input would be greatly appreciated.Thanks-Ted
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The small bear was old and gresed out maybe. I am surprised there are those who are still trying to degrease some thing like bear with dawn.
It sounds like the skin was actually rotted before you started.
Either that or it had been pre-treated a few years ago, with alum.
I had the same problem with a rotted coyote pelt.
The actual culprit besides rot, was fur moths. (dermestid beetles) - Check the bear's pelt for hundreds of tiny holes and lots of slip.
I had the same thing happen with a bear skin. It had been tanned along time but when I rehydrated it it fell apart. The acid did not get neutralized long enough.
Todd B
It sounds to me like this could have been the culprit. Both were shaved and then degreased in dawn for about 15 minutes, 1cup/20 gal h20, rinsed well and ready to be placed back in the pickle. I never ever rinse during the pickle and put back in the pickle. That and use a commercial degreaser before and after the pickle but not during the pickle.