I got a hooped beaver and the fur is almost sticky, the under fur is matted down. It's not matted like a coon or coyote gets just seems to have some sort of grease in it. Almost like a lard consistency. Any idea how to get the fur back to a more natural state without ruining the tan? No idea how it was tanned. It has pliable but stiff leather, probably just wasn't broke fully since it was going to be hooped.

Where did you get it tanned.
Sounds like it was not finished correctly.
If it was tanned properly you should be able to wash it.

Almost sounds like they used tanning oil on the fur side. You might try using some degreasers on the fur side to get rid of the stuff there then use Melby Fur Conditioner to bring the shine back.

Don't know where it was tanned. Paid more than anyone else wanted to at an auction a couple years ago. It looks real nice as a hooped beaver but my 8 year old nephew called and asked if I had any furs. He was at a science fair in NY and they had all the animal pelts from NY and he asked his mom and dad if he could buy one but they weren't for sale lol. He wants a bunch but I don't have any I want to part with except this beaver since I have another one on the wall already. The the under fue looks thick but oily and I'd like to send him something soft and not greasy.



What kind of degreaser would you suggest?

I'm thinking it was a home tan since it's not thinned as far as I can tell and the fatty area by the wiskers and lip is still thick. Just trying not to ruin it.

MIneral spirits and sawdust

Ok ill try that tomorrow. Thanks. Do you think the pillow case and cold dryer would work well.

Id still be leery of using a dryer even with heat off

You can’t tumble away grease, it needs degreased. Problem is, if it wasn’t degreased, it also wasn’t tanned properly. The tanning agents can’t work properly with the fat/grease inside the skin.

I'm ok with that it's going to be a wall hanger for an 8 year old so it'll probably be left outside at some point. Just hoping I can make the fur soft, leather is not broke and pretty stiff

Ok scratch that thought

If the oil was from the hide where it wasnt degreased properly, it should show up as blotchy/darkish spots on the leather side of the hide. Someone using the orangle bottle stuff might not of read directions very well and just poured it all over both sides of the hide.

No dark blotches. So maybe just tanning oil.