Tanning

[Kernow Stalker]

Can anyone recommend anyone in the South West for hide tanning? Tia

 

[25 Sharps]

Can anyone recommend anyone in the South West for hide tanning? Tia

Never used them but when I get around to doing a skin I will use them, they told me the animal needs skinning as soon as you gralloch and salting for best results

Home | | Organic Sheepskins

, Organic Sheepskins,

www.organicsheepskins.co.uk

 

[Robs]

I'm not too far away and might try the organic sheepskin co. Whoever you use, it will pay to be quick in getting the skin done though I've frozen some and they were fine with no slippage, but that's when tanned by hand using aluminium sulphate, chrome, bicarb route. Had them forgotten in the bottom of a freezer for a couple of years.

If it's a small deer and of no real value why not try yourself but remember that it's best to do a good job when initially skinning so your not faffing later taking flesh off the skin prior to tanning. Larger deer like red stags are very hard to work by hand as they are very heavy when wet and take a long time to dry and make soft. Better leave them to the professionals.

 

[VSS]

The Welsh Organic Tannery does deer hides. You just salt them according to their instructions and put them in the post. It's not cheap, but there are very few places that do them.

 

[big ears]

Late to party and probably a bit late but Devonia in buckfastleigh did mine a few years ago. Did a really good job apart from the phone call to tell me there was a hole behind the shoulder

 

[Hayduke]

Devonia stopped taking in deer skins about five years ago. To much hassle with hair slipping - not their fault - and grumpy stalker customers.

 

[devonair]

Devonia did a roe for me just before they stopped doing deer hides, it turned out lovely but took a long time . As Hayduke said complaints from stalkers about slippage and quality led to them stopping, sad as most problems arise from pre tan treatment, ie. not salting quick enough and hide getting warm.
Only thing I can suggest is try diy route with a kit from Snowdonia Taxidermy.

 

[SamHuntVic]

I do recommend trying it yourself, it's the same satisfied feeling that comes from a session of reloading. There must be purpose made kits available in UK.
Grant.

 

[Hayduke]

I do recommend trying it yourself, it's the same satisfied feeling that comes from a session of reloading. There must be purpose made kits available in UK.
Grant.

Yup there are:

Snowdonia Catalogue Taxidermy and Tanning Supplies - Tanning Kits

K-Tan and White Tan tanning kits for taxidermy.

www.snowdoniasupplies.co.uk

But I'd recommend doing it the traditional way, avoid using potent chemicals (heavy metals). Tan bark tanning takes a while, but it's fun and the results are nice.

Diesel and bicarb also works well.

Ive used them all, except brain tanning, and they work well.

The more time you spend on the fleshing beam, the better the outcome.

 

[Robs]

I've used K-tan and not wishing to be too critical of anyone trying to make a lving but the kits really are far too expensive for the amount of chemicals supplied. Try K-tan by all means the results have been good for me. Whatever process, the more effort put in the better the results.

 

[Hayduke]

Yes K-tan is pricey, I've had great results with it, I would love to know the formula. Their oil product is very good too.

 

[Robs]

Don't know what's in the white tan as not used but the chrome tan is straightforward. PM me.

 

[charlie0151]

Another thumbs up for the Welsh Organic Tannery. I use to use them for my sheep and deer skins. Not as cheap as Devonia (who no longer do deeer anyway !) but worth it

I was there last week and they were just finishing off some lovely fallow skins.