There are several methods of tanning out there. Oak tan uses tanning from the bark of the oak, and makes the type of leather most of us are familar with. There is chrome tan with chromatic acid, and vegetable tan. I am currently using brain tan, as it makes a softer leather that is breathable. first you dehair and grain the hide. this can be done with either lime or hardwood ash. soak three days then dehair the hide and grain it. rinse in fresh running water. Next soak the hide in a solution of brain, to which you can add neets foot oil. soak until when you squeeze the hide you force bubbles of air through it. pull the hide and throughly wring out. then attach to frame, or get a bunch of people together and start stretching it every way possible. you are breaking down the fibers here. this gives a nice white soft hide. trouble is if it gets wet, it becomes hard again until stretched and worked. last step is to smoke the hide which keeps it soft even after it gets wet.
