Over the weekend I started processing my first batch of hides. Since this is an experiment for me , I decided to only use my meat mutt hides and save the rex for a later date when I have a clue what I'm doing.
After weeks of searching , I finally located a supply of Alum at a hardware store , by complete accident.
On Friday I processed 3 rabbits taking the hides directly from the rabbit to a bucket of cold water , also had a hide in the freezer from a doe I had to dispatch a while back so I added it to this batch as its a sibling of the other three so they are all uniform.
From there they went into a solution consisting of 3 gallons of water 1 cup of alum & 1 cup of non iodized salt until Sunday morning.
I ended up tearing two of them near the edges while fleshing (by hand , no tools used). Wondering if I should have let them soak another day or so to avoid this. Since the tears are near the edges , they aren't a lost cause but I'd rather avoid this in the future.
Two of these were does and were easily identifiable as while fleshing I could see the holes left by the nipples. I assume this will have to be trimmed later so it doesn't tear once I make something from the finished hides.
After fleshing & adding more salt and alum to the solution , they went back in for a soak. Now I'm waiting to see how it all turns out.
I didn't bother to take any pictures of the process but I'll post shots of the finished products when that time gets here.
So far .... so good .... opcorn:
After weeks of searching , I finally located a supply of Alum at a hardware store , by complete accident.
On Friday I processed 3 rabbits taking the hides directly from the rabbit to a bucket of cold water , also had a hide in the freezer from a doe I had to dispatch a while back so I added it to this batch as its a sibling of the other three so they are all uniform.
From there they went into a solution consisting of 3 gallons of water 1 cup of alum & 1 cup of non iodized salt until Sunday morning.
I ended up tearing two of them near the edges while fleshing (by hand , no tools used). Wondering if I should have let them soak another day or so to avoid this. Since the tears are near the edges , they aren't a lost cause but I'd rather avoid this in the future.
Two of these were does and were easily identifiable as while fleshing I could see the holes left by the nipples. I assume this will have to be trimmed later so it doesn't tear once I make something from the finished hides.
After fleshing & adding more salt and alum to the solution , they went back in for a soak. Now I'm waiting to see how it all turns out.
I didn't bother to take any pictures of the process but I'll post shots of the finished products when that time gets here.
So far .... so good .... opcorn: