/ Register

  1. Welcome to Taxidermy.net, Guest!
    We have put together a brief tutorial to help you with the site, click here to access it.

Help with stiff hide

Discussion in 'Tanning' started by Kenny, Aug 12, 2008.

  1. Aug 12, 2008 #1
    Kenny

    Kenny New Member

    126
    0
    Amarillo, TX
    I have a steer hide that I tanned with Lutan-F. I have gotten it just as thin as possible, but this thing is just really stiff. The customer wants to use it as a rug. Can anyone tell me what to do to get this thing to soften up so it will lay flat. It is weird but the hide is almost crunchy.
     
  3. Aug 12, 2008 #2
    D.Price

    D.Price Well-Known Member

    3,450
    287
    Youngsville, North Carolina
    Did you break it on a beam or staker?
     

  5. Aug 12, 2008 #3
    Kenny

    Kenny New Member

    126
    0
    Amarillo, TX
    I broke it using a staker. the one Van Dyke's used to sell to fit in the mounting stand.
     
  6. Aug 12, 2008 #4
    D.Price

    D.Price Well-Known Member

    3,450
    287
    Youngsville, North Carolina
    Im not familiar with lutan-f, but it sound like a breaking issue or oil penatration issue.  Sorry I can't be of more help, PM Bruce Rittel he can answer you better.
     
  7. Aug 13, 2008 #5
    Bruce_Rittel

    Bruce_Rittel Consultant Services

    965
    38
    Raynham MA 02767
    A Steer hide - like a Bison hide is best shaved twice. You pickle it for 3-4 days, take it out, drain it for 30 minutes, then shave it thin. Then you return it to the pickle, leave it replump overnight, take it out, redrain it for 30 minutes, then reshave it again. Usually the 2 shaves will do it. Some do it a third time.

    As for the stiffness - you may have allowed it to dry too long before working it soft. when this happens the skin loses too much water, and you need a combination of oil and 25% water to maintain a soft skin. Try remoisting the skin and redrying it - but dont leave it - catch it when 95% dry and then rework it soft!