Flesh and Salt Hide
2 hoursRemove all fat and membrane, then salt heavily to draw moisture before tanning bath.
Intermediate1-2 weeks
Tanning Hide Process Guide
Learn tanning hide process from scratch with a clear step-by-step workflow, recommended tools, safety guidelines, and expert tips.
hide tannersfur crafters
Workflow
Pickle and Degrease
2 daysSoak in acid pickle to set hair, degrease with detergent solution, and rinse to neutral pH.
Tan in Solution
2 daysProcess in alum, brain, or commercial tan for desired leather flexibility and color.
Soften and Finish
4 hoursBreak fibers by stretching over edge repeatedly while drying, then smoke if brain-tanned.
Tools Used
Checklist
0 / 8 completedLoading your checklist…
Planning
Preparation
Safety
Execution
Quality
Documentation
Reference Materials
Salt CureStandard
Curing removes 20%+ moisture preventing bacterial hair slip before tanning.
Pickle TimeFormula
Small hides 2–3 days; large deer 5–7 days at stable temperature.
Tan MethodsTable
Common tanning approaches.
| Method | Product | Softness |
|---|---|---|
| Alum | Mineral | Medium |
| Brain | Natural | High |
| Chrome | Commercial | Variable |
Acid Pickle
Corrosive — add acid to water never reverse; full PPE required.
Slip Risk
Wet hides heavy and slippery on concrete — back strain hazard.
Chrome Tan
Chrome waste hazardous — regulated disposal required.
Safety Notes
- Tanning chemicals require SDS sheets on file in workspace.
- Never eat or drink in tanning area.