A Haircut AFTER a Tan

[Crossfire]

Someone gave me a deerhide that was tanned with the hair still on it. It is more than 25 years old (since the tanning, not the deer's age). The hair comes out a little at a time, shedding everywhere.

Does anyone know an easy way to just remove all of the hair and get it overwith so I have just a tanned hide? I thought about using a depilatory like Nair but am not sure if that would damage the leather. Shaving seems like a bad idea because it would leave stubble. Pulling it out seems like it might damage the hide.

Anyone ever tried this or have any suggestions?
:hmm:

 

[RonT]

Don't know about the Nair, but I just shaved raw (dried and fleshed only) deer hide to make a head for a Bodhr'an (Irish drum) using a barber's clippers. Ended up with just a hint of "fuzz", which be the up side.
R

 

[XXX]

Can you tell what kind of tanning process was used? Some methods lend themselves to being reworked If the leather hide is in good shape otherwise, you may be able to simply soak it in water to speed the de-hairing process.

 

[Crossfire]

It's already tanned. Imake drums as a hobby and have removed hair from rawhide by trimming it close then soaking in water toloosen the stubble. then sand it lightly with a wet sanding sponge. the problem is this hide is tanned and I want to make a bag out of it so leaving stubble is not an option.

 

[Crossfire]

I'm pretty sure it was brain-tanned but not 100% sure. I might try cutting off a corner and expirementing. If it didn't keep shedding, I'd just leave the hair on.

 

[Desert Rat]

Throw it in the car and bring it tomorrow and I can tell you if it was brained or not. I got some leggings so you can see what brain tan is.....

By the way be prepared to be outshot, outlied and generally out done tomorrow :grin:

 

[blacksmithman64]

I had a deerhide like that I picked up in Montana.The hair would come out in handfuls so I pulled it all out by hand except right down the middle or backbone area,it was rooted good.I didn't want a "mohawk" hide so I had to use pliers to get the rest pulled.Didn't hurt the hide none but it was a little work.

 

[cgillock]

You can tell if it is chrome tanned by cutting a sample & burning if it is chrome it will leave a green ash.

 

[Crossfire]

Thanks Stumbling wolf. I'll probably do that, because the hair does seem to come out fairly easy.

As to Desert Rat, you actually have to be able to get your gun to go off to outshoot someone.

 

[Desert Rat]

As I recall... I was still shooting and hitting targets when someone else who shall remain nameless but is involved with trying to remove hair from a hide was packed up and ready to go because... well I quess I don't know why :blah: