BJ, Here are some of my obsevations, First off I use KOH for my bucking solution, You can use wood ashes or lime or red devil lye. I do not like ashes due to you need to remove charcoal (stains) and ashes are not the same strength ease use, I do not like lime as it seems really slippery and also white residue on everything, never tried red devil. You may have KOH ( potassium hydroxide) on the farm, I put 4oz in 10 gal. of water for 2 hides in a 30 gal plastic garbage can. Depending on temp 3 to4 days in (warm 70deg.) and hair will slip or 8 to 9 if your container is in a cool place.
DO NOT just push the hair off an then grain. As a beginner it easy to become lost.
Grain is the same color as hide and easy to miss, KOH and other buckings SWELL the grain layer so with experience you will be able to see where you have scraped and what you missed, this is why I say leave hair on and scrape. The hair lets you know where you have scraped, Also be very methodical about removing grain, over lap your strokes so as not to miss any grain.
Now for some good news, If you miss some grain it is not the end of the world, grain left on doesn't let brains penetrate as well therefore creating a harder spot to soften. On the other hand grain left on gives your hide a nice camo tie and dye effect
after smoking.
As for storage I have done a couple different ways. I used to flesh fresh hides salt and drain for 1 day roll up hide and put in a 5 gal.bucket wth lid that seals and store any where. My new system is to flesh, grain, rinse, acidify, membrain then hang on line and let go completely dry, store dry hides in dry area and keep pest out of them ( dogs, mice)
Maybe I should do like Ed and just become a dry scraper. BJ there are lots of ways to do things but this what works for me and is just my .02 cents worth, Have fun and let us know how thinks are going. I only have 2 more to grain out of 13 or so, then on to the fun stuff. Good Luck Bob
