I've got some deer capes that I didn't get tanned last year. They've been salted almost a year and a half. I've read that a skin can be salted up to a year. So, I'm leary if I can tan these or not.
I pulled one out of the pickle yesterday and noticed it was still a little too stiff and the flesh side had a darker color than my fresher capes. Maybe I should have rehydrated it longer in salt water. At any rate I had an awful time trying to thin it down with my fleshing machine. Cut a nice hole right off.
So my next plan of action was to use my mini-flesher. This worked quite well in removing the excess tissue and thinning it down somewhat. I put the cape back in the pickle and plan to use the round knife on it again tonight.
Anyone out there have any experience tanning salted capes that have been salted that long. I'd appreciate your input. I'd hate to have to throw these capes out...Thanks, Steve
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Did you rehydrate and sweat the skin before you threw it in the pickle?! If not you are in a world of pain. It may never fully relax until you get all the hardened membrane off.
Yes, I rehydrated these capes for over 24 hours in a concentration of salt water. I used about two pounds of salt per gallon. It seems that capes that have been salted that long take a lot more time to rehydrate. The cape that I'm having trouble with was still a little too stiff, and I hoped the pickle would soften it further, but it didn't work well. I figured after 24 hours of rehydrating maybe I shouldn't wait any longer, but maybe that is exactly what I should have done....
Next time you might try just leaving the cape in the water for a couple of hours with some relax r from Knoblochs or another commercial relaxer. After you remove it from the solution put it in a plastic bag in the fridge for 24. I only use a half pound of salt per gallon.
(705)476-0483 and I will explain to you how to do it.