Leather tanning kit animal hides, about 6-8 fox, 10-12 rabbits

TANNING PROCESS:

( 250 ml concentrate )

To prepare a freshly skinned hide for tanning use a fine salt (cooking salt) sprinkled generously  over  the whole  fleshy surface of the hide  in  the first few hours after skinning the animal the hide should then be rolled or folded up in such a way as to allow for the draining of fluids from the hide.  No  more than  24 hours later repeat the above step and then store  the  hide in a dry but ventilated place where it should be left for a week  or  so as it will become easier to flesh. Before fleshing the hide remove surface salt  and stretch out the hide as much as possible. After making sure that all the fat and pieces of meat ,veins are removed from the reverse side(to hair) of the hide by scraping parallel to the skin surface so as not to cut into the skin structure, wash the skin thoroughly in water.

Prepare a large container(do not use any metal containers) suitable for the size of the hide  with 18 liters         (5 gallons ) of rain or soft water in it mix 900 gram  ( 1.75 pound ) of fine table salt than add 250 ml of “traditional tanning formula”  and  mix well before immersing the hide in the container.

A mixture such as this from 1 liter of traditional tanning formula will tan about 3 - 4  kg  (6 - 8 pounds )of wet weight skin. Immerse the hide and stir and agitate with a piece of wood as often as possible once every  few hours for about three days. To check if the hide is ready make a 5cm  ( 2 “ ) cut about 1cm ( ½ “ ) from the edge and check that the skin is green throughout the whole thickness of the hide.

If it is not continue tanning the hide until it turns green. If it is green then the tanning  Process is finished. Save the mixture as it can be reused by adding more traditional tanning formula.  Rinse the hide  in  a barrel of cold water for  about half an  hour then  drain  the hide.

Repeat this rinsing process two more times. Then let it drain for 24 hours on a line or pole. After it has drained apply a fat liquor to the flesh side  of  the skin and let it soak in. Repeat  application. Nail the hide on to a board with the flesh side up in a dry cool place for 1-2 days . When the hide is still slightly damp draw flesh side of skin over a table or log until it becomes soft and easy to fold, let it dry.