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Originally posted by Zhenyghi
I tried two methods about 20 years ago with horrible results.
The first method was the sun and salt method. It failed because I could not keep it stretched taught enough, and I lacked an implement sharp enough to scrape off the flesh properly. Another problem with this the hide becoming stiff and rigid.
Skin the animal, remove all excess flesh and stretch the hide on a frame. Tannic acid can be obtained by stripping the inner bark from oak trees and soaking it in water. The stronger (darker) the solution, the more effective it will be. The hide should be alternately soaked in this solution then suspended in a shady place to dry. The greater the number of applications, the better the hide will be cured. Tannic acid is also found in chestnut, mimosa, hemlock trees and in tea and acorns.
Originally posted by ignorant_ape
i do not mean to be a wet blanket , but IMHO tanning hides is a long term skill for sustrainable community existance , not a survival skill