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Making possum leather #7523891
03/10/22 05:48 PM
03/10/22 05:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 362
NW PA
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washxc Offline OP
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Anyone here made possum leather? I've got a couple smaller possums that scraped too hard on the fleshing beam. I had them in the freezer and even though they were thawed, no matter how light I pushed I rolled off more than needed down to the roots. So I'm going to try making leather, I've heard it can be pretty nice. I've got a wood stove, so was thinking about soaking the hides in water and wood ash to get the hair off and then going through the pickle and alum tanning process.

Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7525063
03/11/22 03:04 PM
03/11/22 03:04 PM
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Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco Offline
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That will work.
Instead of a straight alum tan I would consider a combination alum,veg tan to toughen the leather,unless you want white leather.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7525360
03/11/22 09:10 PM
03/11/22 09:10 PM
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Aliceville, Kansas 43
Yukon John Offline
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It is very thin, but one could make something out of it. I still can't understand why possums aren't coveted, their fur is as soft as anything I've come across (in my limited experience)!


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Re: Making possum leather [Re: Yukon John] #7525390
03/11/22 09:33 PM
03/11/22 09:33 PM
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Ohio
Keith Daniels Offline
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Originally Posted by Yukon John
It is very thin, but one could make something out of it. I still can't understand why possums aren't coveted, their fur is as soft as anything I've come across (in my limited experience)!



I agree, the problem is the skin is so thin that it doesn't hold up well in a garment.


Keith Daniels
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Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7525455
03/11/22 10:24 PM
03/11/22 10:24 PM
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Aliceville, Kansas 43
Yukon John Offline
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I can see that, just seems like such a waste. Food for thought.


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Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7525631
03/12/22 07:50 AM
03/12/22 07:50 AM
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washxc Offline OP
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Thanks all. Boco, what would you add to the aluminum sulphate/salt/washing soda mix to make the leather tougher? Yukon, I know there's a PA guy that sells possums to a fella who lines the inside of his leather bags with possum leather due to the softness.

Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7525879
03/12/22 11:20 AM
03/12/22 11:20 AM
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james bay frontierOnt.
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Boco Offline
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Originally Posted by washxc
Thanks all. Boco, what would you add to the aluminum sulphate/salt/washing soda mix to make the leather tougher? Yukon, I know there's a PA guy that sells possums to a fella who lines the inside of his leather bags with possum leather due to the softness.


Quebracho.


Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7525921
03/12/22 12:06 PM
03/12/22 12:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
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Ive always thought they'd make good chamois cloths

Last edited by SNIPERB🦝; 03/12/22 12:06 PM.
Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7580992
05/09/22 10:56 PM
05/09/22 10:56 PM
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IA, WI, ND, IL
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When I raised mink years ago and sold through NAFA a buyer that bought my ranch mink told me he bought 10,000 possum during the auction. I said what the heck for ? He said we tan them hair off and make work gloves for manufacturing companies. He said it was a money maker for him. I wish I could have seen what they looked like. MD

Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7609992
06/22/22 07:41 AM
06/22/22 07:41 AM
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washxc Offline OP
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Well Sniper, I think you're on to something with the chamois cloth. Have you seen the cost of shop towels these days?! I even left a little fur on the edges in case you've got to blow your nose.

Seriously though, it was fun and the leather can and will definitely be used in some projects. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7610439
06/22/22 06:39 PM
06/22/22 06:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 80
Wisconsin
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Pierce Offline
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Is that a combination tan or straight alum?

Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7610551
06/22/22 09:21 PM
06/22/22 09:21 PM
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washxc Offline OP
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I followed bocos method. Pickle and then aluminum sulfate soak and then a leather softening oil. It's quite supple. Next time I'll use hydrated lime to slip the fur so it's cleaner.

Re: Making possum leather [Re: washxc] #7610686
06/23/22 05:56 AM
06/23/22 05:56 AM
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Wisconsin
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Pierce Offline
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Thanks!

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