We have a new instructable on how to tan and process rabbit furs. In this example, we make a a rabbit fur hat. Make a Rabbit Fur Hat from scratch Learn more about how we raise rabbits: Rabbits - VelaCreations
As expected, we are getting a lot of negative feedback from animal rights activists on this article. While this doesn't surprise us, it is surprising as to how hateful some of these people are. Some people get it, though, and that's who we wrote the article for! Thanks to everyone for their positive support!
Don't let those Whacko's get your goat.... When the Revolution comes, they will be the ones freezing, during the winters......
Awesome instructable! Don't worry about those nuts that don't understand using the entire animal or those that think that meat comes from the store. I work with a bunch of them, they just don't get it and never will.
yeah, we don't let them get to us. I was just surprised at how hateful people can be. I mean, I think we are the only folks that have an instructable where comments include "burn in hell"
A very useful instructible, very well explained and illustrated. A very welcome contribution to the SM website. As for the nay sayers...the problem is in their minds...not yours. What they fail to acknowledge is that apart from the skinning and tanning...the processes of making a fur hat is just as applicable to faux fur as for real fur, without any of the ethical angst or emotional baggage. further instructibles of this quality would be most welcome.
I've often wondered if the haters walk down the meat aisle at wally world thinking their dinner comes to the shelves from some magical machine. Great instructable,thanks.
yes, the process is the same, but the recipe must be scaled for larger hides. rabbit skins are usually about 18" by 12", and we do 6-8 of them with this recipe, so scale accordingly, depending on the size of your skin. Also, there are other methods of tanning. We use this one because it is fast and easy, and we do a lot of rabbits a year (almost 400), so we need something that is not as labor intensive as some of the other methods (brain tanning).
So...the recipe is the same, but the volume varies. So this amount should work well for one hide at a time. And I would have to find a container suitable for the larger size, and judging from the "no metal" comment, a galvanized washtub would not be a good idea. PVC is safe for this solution, so the lower half of a PVC barrel would be ok for the scale up, is that correct?
There are a number of cats in my neighbourhood that would make excellent caps...wearing a cat cap made from local cats may be a bit of a giveaway once the local moggies go "missing". They may make wonderful farewell gifts when emigrating from the neighbourhood though...
Make sure of your local laws. believe it or not , house pets are protected in some places, and you could get in a lot of trouble, even on your own land.
My note was delivered tongue in cheek...but yes you are right...in some local government jurisdictions, slaughtering and processing of animals...even ones that one legally owns can be fraught with the possibility of prosecution.