Howdy all,
I've been tanning hides for a few years but never used any degreasers, and I'm thinking that is why my big coons, beaver, and badger are still pretty stiff.

I was wondering what y'all recommend for a degreaser? I use Lutan F as my tanning formula.

Thanks!

Teg

Dawn dish liquid for a degreaser.

Are you breaking the hides as they dry? Also, are you thinning the leather any? Maybe try a softening oil like LiquaSoft and make sure you break it as it dries.

Mackenzie Relaxer/Degreaser. https://www.mckenziesp.com/McKenzie-Relaxer-Degreaser-W271.aspx

Yep, I usually wash all my hides in dawn before I start tanning. Then I always try to thin coons down on the neck and shoulders and beaver down the whole back. But I have thinned a few beavers to when I'm started to get a few hair roots, and those big beavers still turned out stiff as a board.

And yes, I break them as they dry. I usually break about 4-5 times after I oil them and open them out to dry.

Thanks for the responses so far. I was wondering if using any solvents my bust the grease out of those beavers. Has anyone any experience with that? With beavers and badgers in particular?

Teg

I know some guys say that using citric acid as your pickling acid will help as a degreaser as well. I've used it but never paid much attention to its degreasing abilities as I havent used it on hides that require much degreasing.

Best degreaser on the planet is naphtha.Pickle skin,soak in naphtha 24 hrs,hang to let the naphtha evapotate then proceed with the tanning.
You can use the naphtha over and over again,just strain out the gobs of grease.

*

Boco,

Thanks for adding that. I was wondering if paint thinner solvents would be a good option. You are referring to the paint thinner naphtha right? Because there is some camping fuel naphthas out there too...

Teg

White gas-camp fuel.You can use ordinary gasoline but it takes a lot longer to evaporate.

I would be careful with naptha...more than one Tanner has burned his shop down using that stuff.

Never heard or thought about naphtha for degreasing.
Only used it in my old Jon-e handwarmer.

Thanks for the info.

Good point sniperbib,I only use it outdoors.Too dangerous to use inside.I keep it in a large sealed container in a shed,when using and storing.

Thanks for all the input fellas! I do appreciate it. I added a bottle of degreaser to my Van Dykes order of tanning oils so we shall see if that is worth anything. But I am definitely trying the naphtha.

Thanks
Teg

I've used Makenzie degreaser from VanDykes with good success. I'd suggest putting it in with the pickle, making sure your ph is still right, and give it as much time as you need. I once left a skunk in the pickle for 6 months... Also, drying furs first like you would for shipping to auction causes much of the grease to be forced out of the leather. It is an extra step, but it is one way to cut down on the grease. If you do then you will want the relaxer/degreaser in the pickle then as well.