Why Tan Hides?

We have all seen rugs and furs made from animals, trophy bucks mounted by a taxidermist, and maybe even own a sheepskin. We may have goats with hides that would make an attractive rug or cover. Possibly, there is even a market for colorful goat hides or crafts made from them. To produce a goat rug requires knowledge of the art of tanning. When speaking of tanning hides one naturally thinks of large tanneries producing leather and furs; however, it is possible to tan hides at home. In the distant past tanning meant taking the bark of certain trees, oak for example, and pounding the bark into a mush, mixing it with water, and soaking the dehaired hide of an animal in the mixture for several weeks or even months. Deer buckskin was made by native Americans using animal brains as a source of preserving agent. Later, chemical methods of chrome tanning were developed, which are still in use. Today, in addition to the above methods, there are synthetic tanning agents that are easy to use and fairly inexpensive. One advantage of tanning at home is cost. For example, professionally tanned sheep or calf skins can cost $70 to $100. Tanneries can be found where you can send preserved hides to be professionally tanned. Costs for such services may be on a per hide or per square foot of hide basis. Alternatively, one can purchase tanning kits, one of which will tan up to 20 pounds of hide (the equivalent of two deer skins) for between $25 and $35, and finish the job in two to six weeks. The equipment needed to tan hides can be purchased or much of it can be fashioned from items found around most households or farms. Although home tanning may not match the quality of a professional tannery, good quality, long-lasting products can be made. In addition to home use, some of these products could be sold, or someone who earns a good reputation as a home tanner could receive hides to tan.

Tanning Goat Hides Workshop

Have you ever wondered how to tan a hide? On Saturday, March 10, 2012, a tanning hides workshop will be held at Langston University from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The focus of the workshop will be tanning hair-on hides but the process of dehairing hides and making leather and buckskin will also be discussed. After discussing the stages of tanning from how to handle and store a raw hide to softening and finishing a tanned skin, participants will have hands-on practice with goat skins in several of the different tanning steps. Participants can practice fleshing, will apply tanning chemicals in two different methods, and soften a goat skin prepared for the workshop. Various tanning methods will be discussed and examples of tanning kits and chemicals displayed. All of the tanning procedures presented and chemicals used are appropriate for home tanning with all of the work done by hand. While the tanning of goat hides will be demonstrated, the processes learned can be used on deer, coyote and other skins. Registration is limited to 10 participants. A registration fee of $15 is charged. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information regarding the tanning hides workshop, contact Dr. Roger Merkel at (405) 466-6134 or rmerkel@luresext.edu.

Click here for the registration form