Alum Vs “real” Tanning For Wall Hanger

Im not a taxidermist, but like to tan rabbit pelts and make stuff. The alum/salt soak is just a pickle, not a tan.. you will need to apply a paint on tanning chemical, after you take it out of the alum. And before it dries. I have been using knoblocks liqua tan and liqua soft oil. My rabbit pelts are pushing 7 years old.. sewn in a blanket, holding up great. Blanket gets used.

 

Alum is only a pickle. I have had several taxidermist, encluding the one who does my shoulder mounts, tell be the hair will eventually fall out as the leather crumbles. One person said it takes about 5 years.. I have never done only alum.. so no experience. I always do the "tanning" with a tanning product. After the alum/salt soak

 

My personal taxidermist, said liqua tan was excellant keep using it. (I am Trying to learn wet tanning). The bottle of orange stuff is second class, low quality, but it would be much easier to get a hold of than knoblocks liqua tan. Cheaper. You would be way ahead to at bare miniumn, use the orange stuff, over nothing. You hide is not preserved until you put something on it. It will not work to just leave it.

 

I have alum tanned critters in my shop I did in the late 80's and early 90's that are in as good of condition as the ones I had professionally tanned and liqua tanned around the same time.

 

Good to know.

 

Alum is used as both a tan and a pickle
Nothing wrong in using it as a wall hanger

 

That was 35 years ago. I can't remember what I ate for breakfast this morning. Probably some salt and alum to certain pH for a few days. I know a guy that forgot about a coyote skin in a sealed bucket of alum tanning solution for over a year. It finished out fine after he discovered it during spring cleaning.