Yeah, its got me beat,,,,, I looked thru all my posts, and can't find it either.
Maybe its buried in a post that got hijacked, and the title doesn't relate to what I may have put in.
So, here goes from memory ( its been quite a few years since I used it )
IngredientsMixed fruit, Scotch,,,,,,,,,,,,,, uh oh, wrong recipe.
Coarse salt, Alum powder, Borax powder. (equal amounts of each) Mixed together.
MethodFreshly skinned hide, spread out flat, (fur side under, and rawhide facing up)
Cover it all over with the powder mix, approx 1/4 to 1/2 inch,
Rub in gently with fingers, making sure all folds and curls are covered.
Fold skin to skin, and then roll or fold till you can get into a plastic bag. (get size bags to suit the size of the hide)
Put the bag with the hide in it, in a cool place (definately out of the sun, and away from cats and dogs)
Next day take hide out of bag, and gently shake off all loose powder. (for the 1st days or week it'll be a bit juicy)
Reapply the powder mix, and again fold up skin to skin, and put into a plastic bag.
Keep repeating this procedure for 14 days minimum.
At the end of the 14 day minimum, spread (fairly tight) the hide on a suitable flat board, and nail/staple all around the edges.
Leave it to dry thoroughly in a well aired, dry, shady place. (an unused shearing shed is ideal)
When properly dry, remove the nails/staples. (it's most likely to be stiff as a board)
Trim off any ragged edges and bits you don't want.
Then get a block of limestone (easy if your in Sth East of SA) approx 4 to 6 inches square by approx 2 inches thick.
Just rub the stone back and forth across and around the treated side till all traces of sinew, fat, and fleshy bits wear away and come off.
Once done properly and all over, the hide should be clean and fairly soft and flexible.
Back in the 1960s/70s, BP Servos used to sell a detergent called "Comprox".
We used to wash the hide in an old washing machine (twin tubs were good) with comprox added.
This used to lubricate the leather, and make it extra soft and pliable. (not sure if ordinary dish detergent would do the same)
After washing, hang the hide in the shade, and let it dry.
This method produced good quality leather that lasted for many years without any hair/fur slip.
Hope the above helps some of you guys out.
I do not fear death itself... Only its inopportune timing!
I've come to realize that,,,,, the two most loving, loyal, and trustworthy females in my entire life were both canines.