Braining tanning a complete hide

[Romey]

Good catch, Rod and Denise, I was back to assuming the tanning was still on.

[jouLe]

Nothing's on yet, still in decision mode... with another Q: If you are going to tan a steer hide with the hair ON, what is it that keeps the hair from slipping? Is there a particular time in the cycle of shedding & hairing up when you DON'T try to keep the hair on, for one reason or another (and what be the reasoning?) If I leave the hair on it will be with the intended purpose of making chaps. I have made batwing chaps with commercial leather, but not sure if the steer (bovine) is the best for hair on chaps or not? How 'bout even pretty good?

I did a lot of reading on the braintan.com site and I think if I decide to go hair off I will wait until spring, go up to the cabin at the creek, and buck the hide in wood ash & water, as I can let it rinse in the creek. My water supply here is not one that I can leave running for 48 hours (or even for 2 hours). If I tan it at home I will likely pre-smoke it. I think I will trim the legs off and practice on them so I don't mess up the full hide on my first shot. THAT would be disappointing!

THANKS!