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March 16, 2015
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I have some otter, bobcat, beaver i would like to try to tan, just for wall hangings. Been reading post on hear that HQ 5000 [ pickle] or HQ 500 powder [no pickle] are the big favorites. Would either of these be good for someone who can’t spend all day over a bucket? Also i read about thinning the hide,is this best for beaver to turn out right or not a big deal? Do you still have to “break” done the hide over a rope or something to make the hide soft?Sorry for the ? ,but i’m confused…THANKS JEFF
April 7, 2013
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The amount of time over the pickle bucket will equal about maybe 15 min. total. About the same for a tanning bucket. I have no experience with these tans. I very much prefer a pickled hide for tanning. As for tannage, I prefer Liqua tan and EZ 100. I have heard good things about Trubond. If you want soft and supple, you will need to break it. I put a clean shovel handle in a vise with the head (spade) up. I work the hide over the head until dry. I thin all my hides on the fleshing wheel (round knife) during the pickle, however, in the past I used a draw knife to flesh before tanning and to thin after pickling.
July 22, 2011
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The HQ 5000 (pickle required) is going to be what you need to use for what you are wanting to do……yes, beaver, otters and the neck and back of head at least on the bobcats definitely need to be shaved/thinned and broken as it dries to get a soft supple final product…..you will also need to run them through a degreasing bath.
DP
Unless you just want to do it to say you tanned them in shop, you will eventually regret tackling the beaver and even the otter. You not only need to thin them, you need to be good at thinning them, and follow other proper steps, or you will spend hours trying to soften them, and they still won’t be close to what you would have gotten by sending them out. If you happen to have a real small beaver it won’t be too bad, and the cat you can handle, just do like D said.
March 16, 2015
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“THANKS GUYS” . Hmmm, got me wondering if just finding a good tanner would be simpler. Know any good reasonably priced tanners?
March 16, 2015
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after reading your answers to my post ,i did contact a couple tanneries. The quotes i got where between $80- $95 per hide. Thought that a bit unreasonable pricing. after more searching i have found 3 with prices between $27-$30 per hide that seams reasonable.Now i just gotta figure which to go with, the reviews i’ve read on all 3 go from “great job tanning” to “my hides where destroyed”. Never thought getting hides tanned would be such a pain …..THANKS FOR THE HELP
spaduke…you know the old saying, “The sweetness of low price……” I would do some more research on those cheaper tanneries. If the going price is $80 – 95 it is hard to believe you will be getting anywhere near quality of a good commercial tannery for $27 – 30. Your skins and your money! Investigate. If you have not already done so, ask folks who have used these economy tanneries to PM you. Some may not want to publicly cut them down. Proceed with caution. My $0.02 worth.
Vic
$80-$95 is awful high unless you are pricing sending in a raw skin that needs prepped before tanning.
March 16, 2015
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The hides i have are all dried for the fur market but with market in the pits,thought i’d try tanning. After more searches it seams the going price range is $27- $40 per hide depending on tanner. I brought this up on a trapper site for info on tanners. Seams most guys use and very highly recommended MOYLES Tannery.Their prices where $20- $30 with price reduction on quantity.With a 60 day return on your finished hides,then again depends on how busy they are could be longer. Is this normal? What is the difference between a taxidermy tan & a garment tan? They ask on the form which you want, i have NO freaking idea! THANKS FOR THE ADVICE
THANKS D! 
In short it’s all about detail and attention to individual skins instead of mass production.
Just send them off to a tannery, much easier and a softer skin without the hassle of you trying to do it without the proper equipment
March 16, 2015
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“THANKS FOR THE HELP & ADVICE”. Gonna send them to MOYLES Tanners’ seams to be the place to get hides tanned. Will let ya know how things work out…
April 22, 2016
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whats the deal with Krotann? Ive never done a lot of tanning,i use DP mostly but every time I do I use the Krotann 2000 and I can’t see an easier way to tan a hide. no pickle,you don’t have to salt the hide but I do anyway, 3-4 days soaking, done “easy” mount or soft tan.
ive wondered why its not mentioned more?
October 14, 2011
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animalstuffer said
whats the deal with Krotann? Ive never done a lot of tanning,i use DP mostly but every time I do I use the Krotann 2000 and I can’t see an easier way to tan a hide. no pickle,you don’t have to salt the hide but I do anyway, 3-4 days soaking, done “easy” mount or soft tan.ive wondered why its not mentioned more?
Because its that good and the ones who use it and know it and just don’t have the time to get involved arguing over it with non-believers. If you have followed me over on taxi.net you will see I have been in several all out confrontations over its use and proper use. Krowtann has failed miserably for others. As far as Im concerned its fool proof and should be tried by all beginning taxidermists who wish to do their own tanning.
My 3 goto tans are as follows
Krowtann
PRO-1
LutanF
Chief Editor of The Taxidermy Journal~TTN News Contributor
April 7, 2013
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I agree. I have tried many different tans. I don’t do much taxidermy any more and send most of my skins out to be tanned, so I pretty much don’t need to experiment with new tans anymore. I had more failure with Krowtann than success, however, I did have success, even so I feel that it isn’t for me. If it works for you, and you can put up with the smell, that’s all you need. It is the easiest to use unless you go to DP.
