Rabbit skin - now what?

[Biddlesby]

A while ago I found a dead rabbit, and thought I might have a go at doing something with the hide. So I skinned it, scraped it (perhaps too much!), pinned it to a board and salted it. Problem was this was winter, so even though it was in the shed it pretty much stayed as moist as it was when I pinned it up. I had expected it to decay disgustingly - no loss there - or dry. So I pretty much decided it was a gonner and left it there.

Found it again today - and it was dry! A bit mouldy, perhaps, but the fur side is still in good condition. It has a few holes, but there is an untouched patch in the middle. Due to my overenthusiastic scraping it's pretty thin in places also.

It's not pretty, but you can see the mould (and some rust from the nails!) here.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q86/Biddlesby/CIMG0723_sm.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q86/Biddlesby/CIMG0727_sm.jpg
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q86/Biddlesby/CIMG0733.jpg

So now what? Do I have to work it back and forth? I am afraid it will break. Wondering also if I can clean up the fur side and sugar soap the inside. Just wondering what I can salvage. Even if I don't use it it will be a good experiment.

Cheers.

[madrussian]

Try soaking it in warm soapy water to remove the salt. Not sure what to do about the mold. Maybe a little bleach and water. Not to much though. I usually let mine dry just a bit after washing in the soapy water, and then while they are still damp and soft, rub Neat's Foot oil into them and let them sit for about a week. Then wash them again in warm soapy water. They usually come out pretty good after that. Hope this helps.

[anthonyyy]

try jeys fluid for the mould

[Eric_Methven]

Wash in warm water to remove any salt. Then make up a solution of liquid soap and neatsfoot oil 50/50 - Ecover washing up liquid works well.

Rub some of this solution into the flesh side and let it penetrate right in. Leave it for a day or so then rinse in clean lukewarm water. Wring it out well then dry by rubbing the pelt back and forth over the back of a chair in a warm place. This will break down te collagen in the skin and give you a soft pelt.

The soap/neatsfoot oil does exactly the same as brains in braintanning, so can be used on any pelt, or if you dehair the skin and scape away the epidermis, you get buckskin.

Eric

[OzaawaaMigiziNini]

Wash in warm water to remove any salt. Then make up a solution of liquid soap and neatsfoot oil 50/50 - Ecover washing up liquid works well.

Rub some of this solution into the flesh side and let it penetrate right in. Leave it for a day or so then rinse in clean lukewarm water. Wring it out well then dry by rubbing the pelt back and forth over the back of a chair in a warm place. This will break down te collagen in the skin and give you a soft pelt.

The soap/neatsfoot oil does exactly the same as brains in braintanning, so can be used on any pelt, or if you dehair the skin and scape away the epidermis, you get buckskin.

Eric

...well I'll be a monkey's uncle... I'm gonna try that on the next pine martin I come across!

[Biddlesby]

Will hydrophane leather dressing and sugar soap suffice?

[Eric_Methven]

Don't know mate, I've never tried that mix. If you already have them, go ahead and try. What's it going to cost you? A minging skin if it doesn't work, and a pelt if it does.

Eric

[RobertRogers]

The trouble with rabbit skins, at least United States rabbits, is that they are very thin an subject to tearing.

[weekend_warrior]

I wouldn't recommend Sugar Soap - there is no Soap in it - and it's very strongly alkaline and can be quite an irritant. Suggest you nip out for the ecover and neatfoots oil... :D