Tanning hides?

[edge32617]

Hey guys,

Quick question here... I've seen in Gander annd Bass pro a couple of times the "tanning Kit" they sell for deer hides.

I was curious, Can you tan other hides like coons,foxes, rabbits too the same way? If so is there a eaiser "home made" way then buying a kit similiar then the ones in stores?

My goal is to use these hides for leather working, so wondering if theres an easier way.

I saw my father in law do a deer hide one with Salt about a month ago but I'm pretty sure he had the kit..

Seems like a silly question and sorry if this isn't in the right section.

[Roadkill]

Google up mckenzie or wasco.   They are taxidermy supply houses and have options for tanning
Oh. Van dykes too

[edge32617]

Originally posted by Roadkill:
Google up mckenzie or wasco.   They are taxidermy supply houses and have options for tanning
Oh. Van dykes too

10 4, thanks roadkill... Researching it now!

Any one else have input?

[manitou1]

Just be aware that when you home tan a hide it is very stiff and hard.  Professional tanneries use machines and chemicals to soften the tanned skin.
When I had my taxidermy business, I would send off hides if someone wanted a butter soft tan... easier for them to do it.  Not very expensive either.  Google tanneries.
The salt has nothing to do with the tan itself.  Salt has to be used (other chemicals out there for this too) to "set" the hair to keep it from slipping, or falling out.  Of course, there are "hair off" tanning methods also.
Wildlife Artist Supply Co. (Wasco) and Mckenzie offer a lot of good supplies.  McKenzie is owned by Cabelas.. or at least they used to be.  Try Taxidermy.net for great information... it is hosted by WASCO.

[Skipmaster1]

Check these threads out. Really simple and very little to buy.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=104421;p=1


 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=099224

[edge32617]

Originally posted by Skipmaster1:
Check these threads out. Really simple and very little to buy.

  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=104421;p=1  


  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=099224  

Hey thanks Skip, I've never heard of "brain tanning" I'm going to research it the next few days as well... I also forgot about youtube! I'm going to see what I can dig up there. Thanks again partner.


 

Originally posted by manitou1:
Just be aware that when you home tan a hide it is very stiff and hard.  Professional tanneries use machines and chemicals to soften the tanned skin.
When I had my taxidermy business, I would send off hides if someone wanted a butter soft tan... easier for them to do it.  Not very expensive either.  Google tanneries.
The salt has nothing to do with the tan itself.  Salt has to be used (other chemicals out there for this too) to "set" the hair to keep it from slipping, or falling out.  Of course, there are "hair off" tanning methods also.
Wildlife Artist Supply Co. (Wasco) and Mckenzie offer a lot of good supplies.  McKenzie is owned by Cabelas.. or at least they used to be.  Try Taxidermy.net for great information... it is hosted by WASCO.

Manitoul, I don't mind it being stiff/hard, I mean eventually once I get to lacing it or using it as a inlay on some of my leather projects that may even be better for it... I will look into the tanneries themself, Especially since I'm in a apartment complex due to having to move for work... Hoping I can make it back to the woods (home) this fall with a transfer.

Thanks again guys, I will continue to research some info on this... Everything I've seen here is great help, Thanks and god bless.

[Skipmaster1]

Like I said you can use Ivory soap and vegetable oil instead of brains. Once you flesh it, it is not very messy. I did the majority of softening in my living room. I would not have done that with actual brains.

[calgarychef]

I've brain tanned a few hides and also used soap and oil on one or two.  I think the brains work better but it's a little gross in the beginning.  The trick to getting them soft is the wringing out before using the brains or other options.

[7 Lakes]

Every animal dies with just enough brains to tan it's hide.  You'll have to find the squaws to chew them soft on your own  

[Prairie Drifter]

Originally posted by manitou1:
  McKenzie is owned by Cabelas.. or at least they used to be.  Try Taxidermy.net for great information... it is hosted by WASCO.

Cabeles used to own Van Dykes. They sold it to McKenzie a couple of years ago. McKenzie has always been owned by the Mckenzie family.