I'm just starting my first try at home tanning. Using the Rittel's EZ-100 kit, planning on basically following the instructions to the letter. Doing 3 coyotes at once for my first try. They are relaxing right now and I plan on putting them into the pickle tomorrow. Then pulling them out of the pickle, neutralizing and then putting them into the tanning solution Fri. evening. Then take them out and oiling and "sweating" on Saturday.
That sound "okay"? Any tips or advice that you think I could use? I've never had any experience with this whatsoever - like I say, just following the instructions in the Rittel's kit.
One part of the instructions, the last step, mentions a "staking tool". Can you tell me what a staking tool is and how it works? It obviously has something to do with finishing and "breaking" the hide. Any advice on that part of the process in general? That seems like it might be the hardest to get right without any equipment.
Almost forgot - another question. These coyotes are all tubed. Will it work better to cut them up the belly at some point (I'm thinking for the oiling/sweating)? I kind of like the way a fur looks in the tube state, so would like to keep at least one of them that way. But I guess I can always sew it back up like that if needed - if it will really help to cut the belly for the tanning process.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can pass along.
Wish me luck!
- DAA
That sound "okay"? Any tips or advice that you think I could use? I've never had any experience with this whatsoever - like I say, just following the instructions in the Rittel's kit.
One part of the instructions, the last step, mentions a "staking tool". Can you tell me what a staking tool is and how it works? It obviously has something to do with finishing and "breaking" the hide. Any advice on that part of the process in general? That seems like it might be the hardest to get right without any equipment.
Almost forgot - another question. These coyotes are all tubed. Will it work better to cut them up the belly at some point (I'm thinking for the oiling/sweating)? I kind of like the way a fur looks in the tube state, so would like to keep at least one of them that way. But I guess I can always sew it back up like that if needed - if it will really help to cut the belly for the tanning process.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can pass along.
Wish me luck!
- DAA