11/04/10, 01:11 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,693
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I've used tannin, sulfuric acid, alum, and probably about half a dozen other tanning recipes. Sufuric acid (battery acid) is about the easiest and the most effective. Sulfuric acid isn't all that exciting, the world won't end from handling the stuff. It tans thoroughly because it's a liquid soak. The result in the common yellowish tan color you often see.
Alum tanning is harder to do because it's a paste. It does not soak through as easily, much more likely to leave areas untanned and takes a good bit longer. The end result though is that beautiful white leather you sometimes see.
Tannin has almost always resulted in rotted pelts. Be it in a stump, with leaves, with accorns, or with brains. Very dark brown tan when it did actually work.
An experimental tip that I've not tried is the use of rubbing alcohol. The paper industry uses this in the final processing of tissue paper. It prevents the adhesion of the cross fibers in the final drying. It may work on hides making the final softening much easier. Never tried it myself.
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