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Deer Pelt Hair Very Dry And Breaking

Discussion in 'Beginners' started by lokis333, Mar 24, 2023.

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  1. Mar 24, 2023 #1
    lokis333

    lokis333 New Member

    3
    0
    Derbyshire, United Kingdom
    Hi all,
    I've successfully tanned 3 red deer skins, 2 of them are very soft and just fine. However, the biggest and last one I did, har seems to be very dry and not very soft and I find that hair breaks (doesn't shed) very easily.
    What could be the cause of this and is there anything that I could do to save it or prolong its life?
     
  3. Mar 27, 2023 #2
    Mike Powell

    Mike Powell Well-Known Member

    2,747
    1,387
    Lavon, TX
    Deer hair are fragile and as they dry out they break easily. The tanning process could very well have made the hair dry even more - Perhaps not neutralized enough??
     

  5. Mar 28, 2023 #3
    Frank E. Kotula

    Frank E. Kotula master, judge, instructor

    3,611
    1,702
    wilkes barre
    All deer hair is hollow and can be brittle. This is why is breaking on you.
    You can try a deep hair conditioner on it to help then rinse it off but that’s only a suggestion.
     
  6. Apr 2, 2023 #4
    SolarDeer

    SolarDeer Member

    82
    17
    UK

    What time of year did you tan these at? entirely possible your two hides are early season capes (pre-rut) then your other cape is late rut winter coat.

    It sounds like the skin is thick, and the hare is hollow on that big boy, you'd be surprised though it takes a while even for a reindeer rug (much more hollow and brittle) to wear down from frequent use.