Submitted by davek on 9/18/99. ( rkerr1998@aol.com ) 205.188.208.134
I was wonderin if anyone had a formula or procedure for tanning shark skins. Saw a show that said it was tougher than leather for durabilityy and was curious to see if there was anyone who does it or knows if it would be feasible to try.
Tight Lines and Straight Shootin,
Davek
This response submitted by Bruce rittel on 9/18/99. ( rittel@ici.net ) 207.180.0.8
Shark leather is tough - but also difficult to tan too! The problem is - its skin also contains certlidge type material and they have to use Hydrchloric acid to soften and break it down. AFTER - they remove the epidermal. The rest of the process is simply tanning and finishing it - but very few tanners like to process it.
I caught a shark and have some skin that I would like to get tanned.
I have not yet found anybody that can do it. Does anybody know of
someone?
Preferably it would be in the United States.