Buffalo pelt help!?

[T-Bone]

Was the hide tanned or was it rawhide?

[hylander]

Not sure? The hide was fairly supple when I got it a bit stiff but workable. The wetting of it seemed to really make it rigid.

[tyger]

Great find. While you can use several oils to soften the hide, I suspect you don't have those on hand or else you would have done the job already.

Taxidermy shops sell hide softener. VanDykes is one supplier; they have a toll-free number. I suggest that you call them, ask to speak to a taxidermist, and tell him/her the plain and simple truth. They will tell you exactly what you need to get. The softeners contain oil and surfactants and do the best job that can be done.

Good luck with you project. A few bucks are well worth investing in a nice piece of hide.

[hylander]

I took your advie and contacted VanDyke and this was their response:

According to our taxidermist on staff the hide will have to be pulled and worked to regain the softness. After leather becomes wet when it dries if becomes stiff. You will have to work out the stiffness manually. Any product that you put on it will cause the hair to become greasy.

So, I guess I got to do some pulling and workin'!

[tyger]

I took your advie and contacted VanDyke and this was their response:

According to our taxidermist on staff the hide will have to be pulled and worked to regain the softness. After leather becomes wet when it dries if becomes stiff. You will have to work out the stiffness manually. Any product that you put on it will cause the hair to become greasy.

So, I guess I got to do some pulling and workin'!

When you work the hide, make sure that you put the softener on the flesh side of the skin, not the hair side. Work the hide over a dull metal edge: I have used a disc for that, it is superior to an old axe or hatchet head: