Need Advice To Soften Old Deer Leather

[DonBurch]

I recently found two white-tail deer hides that a late uncle had tanned. This leather is naturally thin. Unfortunately it is stiff and dry, but thankfully not cracked.

Can someone give advice on how I might soften it up? I would also like to dye it so the softening process needs to not interfere with the hide absorbing dye.

[BillB]

If this is a hair off hide, then I would drop it into a bucket of water and let it soak. When it is softens, then stretch it on a board and let it dry. Make sure it is tacked at the edges so it does not curl. Once it is dry, then dye it. Once the dye has dried, oil it.

That is at least what I would do.

BillB

[Sylvia]

I had a Native American friend who chewed her stiffened hides to soften them. I mean she literally sat there with a caribou hide hanging out of her mouth for days! I must say the parka she made was fantastic and extremely pliable. I was envious but could never bring myself to chew hide like that.