Preparing Hides for Tanning: A Beginner's Guide

Proper hide preparation is crucial for successful tanning. Whether you're planning to tan your own hides or send them to a professional, understanding this process is valuable.

Fresh Hide Handling

Time is critical with fresh hides. They should be salted or frozen within hours of skinning to prevent bacterial growth and hair slippage.

Fleshing the Hide

Remove all meat, fat, and membrane from the flesh side of the hide. This is labor-intensive but essential. Use a fleshing beam and sharp knife or specialized fleshing tool.

Salting for Preservation

If not tanning immediately, salt the hide heavily on the flesh side. Use non-iodized salt and ensure complete coverage. Fold flesh-to-flesh and store in a cool place.

Rehydration

Salted or dried hides must be rehydrated before tanning. Soak in clean water, changing it several times until the hide is pliable again.

Dehairing (If Needed)

For leather without fur, the hair must be removed. This involves a lime solution or wood ash lye, followed by careful scraping.

Final Preparation

The hide should be clean, pliable, and free of all flesh and membrane before beginning the actual tanning process.