This was my first attempt at alum tanning (I've read it's actually not tanning since there are no tannins, and therefore the skin will still rot if it gets wet, so it's really called tawing- but I digress). I am following the recipe found here: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1983-01-01/How-To-Tan-Rabbit-Hides.aspx?page=8 and I am using a cased gray squirrel skin. I followed the instructions except for a few minor details:
1. The animal was frozen whole in the spring, thawed in lukewarm water, and then left in brine (water + noniodized salt) for 2 days before going into the acid.
2. I did the boil test per the instructions after 1 week, then 10 days, and it was still instantly rubberizing, so after 13 days I decided to just go for it. (Does this boiling test really apply to skins that are not technically tanned?)
3. After washing with mild soap, I squeezed out the excess water and started stretching the skin immediately, instead of letting it mostly dry first. I only worked it for a few minutes.
After letting it dry out more overnight, I started working it this morning and a lot of fur is coming out.
I did some internet searches and found a forum post where the guy was having the same problem with a raccoon skin. Replies said he probably let the pickle become too basic, and that he should have kept the pH below 5.0. But another source recommended rinsing the skin with a basic solution (baking soda + water) before washing with soap, to remove any acid which, they wrote, may cause fur slippage later on. So which is it? Will too acidic or too basic a pickle prevent or cause fur slippage, or neither?
Another thought I had was that the animal was shot in April, when it was probably shedding it's winter coat. Will the tanned skin retain the shedding state it was in when the animal was skinned?
The only other thing I can think of is that it was due to leaving it in salt water too long. Or maybe it should have been dry-salted instead of soaked in brine. OR that freezing it on the carcass had something to do with it. Any ideas?
1. The animal was frozen whole in the spring, thawed in lukewarm water, and then left in brine (water + noniodized salt) for 2 days before going into the acid.
2. I did the boil test per the instructions after 1 week, then 10 days, and it was still instantly rubberizing, so after 13 days I decided to just go for it. (Does this boiling test really apply to skins that are not technically tanned?)
3. After washing with mild soap, I squeezed out the excess water and started stretching the skin immediately, instead of letting it mostly dry first. I only worked it for a few minutes.
After letting it dry out more overnight, I started working it this morning and a lot of fur is coming out.
I did some internet searches and found a forum post where the guy was having the same problem with a raccoon skin. Replies said he probably let the pickle become too basic, and that he should have kept the pH below 5.0. But another source recommended rinsing the skin with a basic solution (baking soda + water) before washing with soap, to remove any acid which, they wrote, may cause fur slippage later on. So which is it? Will too acidic or too basic a pickle prevent or cause fur slippage, or neither?
Another thought I had was that the animal was shot in April, when it was probably shedding it's winter coat. Will the tanned skin retain the shedding state it was in when the animal was skinned?
The only other thing I can think of is that it was due to leaving it in salt water too long. Or maybe it should have been dry-salted instead of soaked in brine. OR that freezing it on the carcass had something to do with it. Any ideas?
