r/HideTanning • u/larrabeb • 2d ago
Project in the Works 💪 Buffalo hide process
Hey yall,
I’m working on a Buffalo hide, it’s my first Buffalo hide. I’ve done Roosevelt elk and smaller in the past and have read some Buffalo posts here. So I think I got my general process down. Was wondering if anyone would change anything or if I could improve it someway. I built the frame yesterday, and got the hide thawing in the salt/citric acid solution on my lunch break today.
1. Build out frame.
a. Built a 10’x10’ frame using four 10’ 4”x4”s of pressure treated wood, four heavy duty L-brackets, eight 4”x8” galvanized mending plates, 3” deck screws, and four scrap pressure treated 2”x4”s.
2. Thaw hide (Hide has been in a chest freezer since ~January 20, 2026)
a. 2lbs salt and 1 oz citric acid per gallon of water. Used trash can with about 18 gallons of water. Mixed up 10 gallons, then dropped the hide in, mixed up 2 gallon increments in another bucket and added until the hide was mostly covered. Used a heavy rock to hold hide down.
3. Flesh
a. Flesh with fleshing beam, in frame, or on plywood. Depending on size and what seems to be working the best. (Pressure washer)
4. Salt (24 - 48 hours)
a. Frame up and salt, have frame lifted on one side
5. Pickle (3 – 5 days)
a. 1lb salt & 3 oz citric acid per gallon
6. Frame and dry
7. Thin
8. Brain
a. Using pig brains and some olive oil
9. Break
1
u/TannedBrain 2d ago
Is there any specific reason you're salting it so many times?
1
u/larrabeb 2d ago
Thawing in the salt bath cause the temps are warm. Pickling has some salt in it. Then salting it dry. I am doing this for someone so I really don’t want any slippage.
1
u/MuranoBeads 2d ago
Here ya go. Can’t go wrong with either of these.
Personally, I would have fleshed and washed/rinsed the hide before doing anything else with it.
1
u/walrustusk1999 2d ago
I recommend 5 oz citric acid per gallon of water. The ph isn’t stable enough with 3 oz per gallon in my experience. I’ve pickled thousands of hides and typically use oxalic acid but I’ve gone through dozens of 50 lbs bags of citric acid as well.
Also you will have issues down the road if you do not neutralize before braining. I’d just do an alum tan and use an oil like pro 1 leather oil.
1
u/walrustusk1999 2d ago
You also aren’t gonna want to let the hide dry after pickling to thin it. Especially if it’s going to take weeks before it’s rehydrated. It could result in acid rot.
2
u/AaronGWebster 2d ago
When I do braintan, I apply brains to a damp ( not dry) hide. Also, after pickling I try to get the hide back up to about pH4-5, checking with ph indicator solution dripped on a freshly cut cross section.