Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

TANNING SKINS 323skin unless you soak it thoroughly In an alkalinesolution after taking It from the pickle.4. Washing.—In fact, any skin tanned with anacid should be neutralized with alkali so that nofree acid is left in it to cause deterioration. Firstput the skin on a beam and go over the flesh sidewith a scraper to press out all the surplus liquidthat you can. Then soak it an hour or so in a solutionof common washing soda (about a handful to apail of lukewarm water). Rinse in clear water.Many pelts have been spoiled by omitting this partof the program, and thus the acid tanning has gottenin some quarters, a bad name.5. Softening.—After washing the skin, hang itspread out on a line or frame until half dry. Thenwork it back and forth (flesh side down, of course)over the edge of a plank or a square bar of iron,andpull and stretch It in every direction with the hands,until it is white, dry, and supple all over. Theobject is to loosen up the fibers everywhere so thatthey do not shrink, stick together, and dry hard andstiff. An amateur is more likely to fail here thanin any other part of the tanning operation ; for itis hard work, and he may not stick to it longenough to ensure a good job.If still there are hard spots on the skin, moistenthem with the pickling liquor and keep them so untilsoftened. A good way is to cover such spots withsawdust wet with all the liquor it will take up.A final finish can be put on by rubbing withsandpaper or pumice stone.Then rub Into the flesh side a mixture of equalparts of tallow and neat's foot oil, or some butter,or lard, or vaseline, or (sparingly) with plain oilor viscol. Do not use a vegetable oil. To removeany surplus, so that the skin may not be left g/easy,rub hot corn meal or sawdust over it.Finally, comb out the fur, and the pelt Is readyfor making up Into a rug or garment.There are many other ways of "mineral tanning'*