I have an Implala and Springbok hide. They have been tanned with the hair on. How is the best way to store them until I get around to doing something with them?

Paul,

Put them in a plastic garbage bag and store them in your freezer. They will be safe there for years. Dry storage could cause dry rot, to the hides over the years, rendering them unmountable.

Kind regards,
Mary

quote:

Put them in a plastic garbage bag and store them in your freezer. They will be safe there for years. Dry storage could cause dry rot, to the hides over the years, rendering them unmountable

Mary,

These are simply back skins I had planned to use someday for a pillow or two. Never will be mounted. Since the only freezer I have is then one in the refrig and always full of food any second suggestions?

Paul,

Tanned leather is tanned leather, regardless of what you are going to do with it. These backhides, just like capes, will also get dry rot if dry stored for over a few years period of time. Backhides need to be rehydrated and stretched to make pillows, so the same care needs to be taken when storing them to assure workable skins.

Maybe a friend or family member with a chest freezer will let you keep them in theirs, otherwise I would suggest you do something with them within 2-3 years tops after they were tanned.

Kind regards,
Mary

Thanks for taking the time to explain it. This raises another question. At the same time these were done I had a hartebeest made into a rug. Do I need to worry about dry rot with it as well? If so what can I do to prevent it? Since being in the freezer sure isn't an option.

Near term until I find a long term solution. Roll the up? hair inside or out? Fold them?

The hartebeest rug will be fine as it is a 'finished' rug and will never be rehydrated again, so no need to worry.

I always recommend storage of skins in a large tupperware tub with a cedar block inside, in a cool area. It is the fluxuation of temperature, humidity or extremely high temps that play havoc on short term, stored, tanned skins. I always keep leather side in and rolled for storage.

Thanks again