Life of a Tanner - oiling hides

hides have to be swabbed with a softening oil at least twice, then rolled up for the oil to soak in the fibers. This is about the 30+ time I have handle the skin from day it first came in the tannery

[@Amandab372]

I have to say I'm really jealous of the equipment you have to be able to work your hids like you do. Doing it by hand every is a strain.

[@equipyourselflifeskills5802]

You can use “Protal” oil. It’s a tanning oil to replace oils and fats that have been removed from the hide in the tanning process. You can order it from a taxidermy supply. I order mine from Van Dukes out of Texas. Hope this helps.

[@billdean.x]

What kind of oil are you using. I have 5 fox pelts I need to restore?

[@tallybeaverman9462]

Can you use Beaver Tail Oil, instead of Neatsfoot Oil for a tanning oil? I heard the old time trappers used beaver tail oil to condition and water proof their saddles, leather cloths, and their guns. But it is a rumors until it is proven.
The way the economy is going, we maynot be able to buy our tanning supplies. So we need to look into alternatives, to be able to continue. What are your th ou ughts about this?

[@adamwatkins2373]

What is the best way to soften hides and do you do private hides for business?

[@demonakasha]

What kind of oil do you use? are they dry for the first application of oil or still slightly damp?

[@absarokajoe]

it is a special tanning oil that helps to soften the hides, they are slighty damp so the oil goes into the hide

[@whofarted9376]

demonakasha He won’t tell you specifics. He wants his trade to become a dying art just like many that came before him. Educating others to ensure generations of knowledge would be considered “Loosing Money” by some smiths. (Yes I know this is a reply to a several years old question.)

[@DaveWirth]

@@whofarted9376 I'm replying to a 1 year old question, which is a reply to a 4 year old question.
I think it's Neetsfoot oil, or something with similar properties.

[@LivingBGLegend]

@@whofarted9376 kind a Dick reply at that

[@dalestruck3337]

How do you get the oil out of the hide and fur, I tried this method for the first time and applied to much oil and now after everything it is very oily yet .

[@CaptureLife]

You mention a "special oil" can you be more specific for those trying at home? What type of oil? What's in it?

[@MOLOKAIKOA11]

Any type of softening oil is great. I use buck tan oil. neatsfoot oil is everyone go to.

[@trappermario40]

@@MOLOKAIKOA11 do you use straight neats foot oil or mix it with hot water

[@MOLOKAIKOA11]

@@trappermario40 I'm not a professional... but what I do is warm the oil a bit. Plastic cup in hot water. I also wet tan, so all I do is just add the oil onto hide while its wet.

[@trappermario40]

@@MOLOKAIKOA11 thanks for that, I am in Australia and it is difficult to get good oil here. I always wanted to try the Neatsfoot oil.

[@MOLOKAIKOA11]

@@trappermario40 I mix it with the buck tan oil I haven't tried full neatsfoot. But I dnt see why it shouldn't work.

[@lukewhittie3647]

Does any know what type of oil he is using? I have a deer hide that is fully tanned but a little to dry to work soft. I am trying to keep it from splitting

[@BlueMarten]

- You can use neatsfoot oil. Field and Stream recommends "fat liquor oil" (3 ½ ounces of neat’s-foot oil combined with 3 ½ ounces of warm water and 1 ounce of ammonia).

[@lukewhittie3647]

@@BlueMarten thanks my guy