I raise sheep and wanted to save the skins when I start butchering lambs for the freezer later this month. I have a book "Back to Basics" that give a method for tanning using alum and salt. I'm sure where to find alum or if this is a very good method of tanning. I would like to be able to use the skins for making some big mittens to wear while mushing and possibly a trooper style hat.
Is this a very good method of tanning without using alot of chemicals and having to be worried about the proper ph, or am I better off buying some sort of all in one tanning solution.
Thanks in advance
Joe
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If you want to try it on your own, then there are some good products available from Knobloch's. Call Mark and let him explain what you need. If you have a good right arm and like combing, then you should be alright.
David is right. Knobloch's is a great company with great products. But there are many great products out there, Do your self a favor and avoid the alum all together. I recomend Rittel's products as well, Hard to beat EZ-100 for garment tanning. Joe
Paratan is some great stuff. I will use it exclusively and is also garment safe.
Thanks so much for the info. My wife worked for about a year in a taxidermy shop. She did more fleshing than tanning, but still remembers the basics. I'm just not sure if I have time to worry about the ph and having slippage. I had looked at some of the all in one products, and have already looked at Knoblochs and Rittel's. Again, thanks for the help