Rabbit skins

[hardr004]

I was just wondering, Whether you needed to do brain tanning on a rabbit skin, if you want to keep the fir on, Or what do you do if you don't?

[Samon]

i think you can buy simple tanning kits from ebay and other online places that keep the furr on and make the hides good for tailoring. in the mean time freeze the skins to stop them rotting if youre going to order some kits.

[Xunil]

What are you chasing ?

Soft (fur on) leather or bunny rawhide ?

Quick and easy:

Stretch the skin(s) and tack them taught.

Scrape the flesh side clean and cover with salt.

Leave for a day or two in a cool, dark place (garage is ideal).

Scrape off excess salt, rinse in clean water if you like (not necessary), and repeat another once or twice.

You can 'tan' rabbit using tallow or natural hand creams because it's so thin. Cat skins can be done the same way (don't ask me how I know this ) but be careful - you can easily tear dry rabbit skins when rubbing the hand cream in and softening it.

I often rinse the skins well in rain water and allow them to dry naturally after the last salting.

Thee's a great method listed on this site: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Moder...es.aspx?page=1 using battery acid and salt.

Rabbit skins were cut into strips about an inch wide and made into rawhide and loosely woven into blankets by Native Americans.

[Badger90]

Great link & tips Xunil, thanks

[boisdevie]

I use the battery acid and salt method and it works a treat