Submitted by Steve A. on 5/3/99. ( )
I trapped some beaver that I want to tan this year, to be made into mittens and hats. Does anyone know of a good recipe for a chrome-tan that I could use on this fur. I didn't want to use Lutan-F because it can wash out over time. In the past I have had some trouble getting the hides to lay flat after tanning. They are very humped in the middle. I am using a four foot drum to tumble my fur in. I understand that a sis foot one does a mnuch better job of breaking the hides after tanning. Is there a secret to this? Do you have to use oxalic ascid in the pickle for best results when using tannium? Thanks for your imput. I really appreciate all your help. in time.
This response submitted by Keith Daniels on 5/3/99. ( arlcape@bright.net )
Steve, I don't have a clue about Chrome, never used it, but if you split the legs out your beaver should lay flat, otherwise you'll pretty much always have a hump in the rump area. The aluminum tans will hold up fine unless you're going to wear them in rainy weather. Keith
This response submitted by Bill on 5/4/99. ( northfur@means.net )
Steve,
I've had some furs chrome tanned before and the weren't worth a hoot for anything! The leather was to stiff to do much with, especially to use in a garment. I've been involved with the fur industry for a long time and would suggest that you try a different tan for fur mittens. I don't do any tanning myself but send every peice of fur to Moyle Mink in Idaho. They do excellent work on garment quality fur tanning! Moyle's number is 208-678-8481. Bill
This response submitted by James Foust on 7/26/99. ( bigowl@bellsouth.net )
Dear Sir,
I have tanned quite a few hides using the chrome tan method and it is my favorite. I really do not see how it can go wrong. On beaver you will need to degrease the hide, which is something different from tannign and something i never mastered. However with chrone tanning, I just put it in the pickle without fleshing the hide, since it is easier to flesh the hide after it is about half way tanned. Leqve it in the pickle for three to five days. Then take it out and wash it well it well in the washing machine with soap and lots of borax. The let it dry out slow or fast. Do not use any oil. Then twist and bend it a while. Then you have perfect tanned skin - just like chamois. One question though - where did you get yur chrome tan supplies? I cannot get it anymore, and now I am searching for supplies or a new way to tan. Regards, James