My first ever tanned furs - any hints?

[ace_of_hearts]

It seems a waste to be throwing away the furs when shooting rabbits, so thought I would have a shot at tanning and see what I could end up with. I bought one of the white tan kits from Snowdonia and had my first shot with 3 skins this week.

 

Skinning the rabbits in a way to keep the fur is an art in itself

 

I now have half of the snowdonia kit solution made up in my outbuilding in an old brewing bucket, but would like some hints before I do my next ones. These have come out ok for my first go I think, but after 2 days in the solution i think I started drying them out too quick as some bits were very crispy before i started stretching them out. You can also see i managed to tear one in the process too

 

How do you guys to it? These are still a bit stiff to do much with but overall I am quite happy.

 

 

 

 

[steve_b_wales]

I have used this tanning kit from Snowdonia Taxidermy Supplies for many years. It's simple to use and lasts for ages. I have done many Fox tails as well as rabbit skins and squirrel tails.

[loriusgarrulus]

This is from a recipe I have to soften the leather after tanning. Working the Leather

 

I stretch partially dried hides to soften the leather, using a process known as breaking the skin.

 

Pull the skin of your damp pelt in all directions, working only a small area at a time. The leather will begin to turn soft and white. The trick is to catch the hide while it's still slightly wet and limp. If it becomes too dry and turns hard, resoak it with a wet sponge (this is called damping back) until it's pliable enough to stretch again. Be firm as you pull the leather, but don't use too much force, or you might tear it. Keep up the skin-breaking procedure as long as necessary until the pelt remains soft as it dries. ("Broken" hides may be tacked to a board or frame to encourage them to dry flat.)

[steve_b_wales]

You can, I believe, buy an oil to rub into the skin, after tanning. It's supposed to make the leather softer.

[nick13]

http://www.snowdoniasupplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/view_larger.pl?ref=CP84

This one might work

[spandit]

I've read you can use antifreeze to tan them. I'd try Neatsfoot oil to soften & protect the leather. I know what you mean, though, it's a shame to waste them