Product Review

      Using a Bascal S & Saftee Acid Pickle

I recently ran a Pickling experiment using Bascal S and Saftee Acid. Although I had used Bascal S with Oxalic and Formic Acids in the past, I was skeptical as to whether this combination would work with Saftee Acid because of the very small amount of acid used per each 1 gallon. I was thinking it may be ineffectual when added to the Bascal S solution – or, you may have to increase the normal dosage to obtain an effective Ph level. Like any other product, it seemed practical to test it, and share the results with other Tanners. 

Bascal S is a BASF product and used in your pickling or rehydration solution, it greatly improves the softness and fullness of the skin, allowing it to be fleshed and shaved easily. It comes as fine, white, water soluble flakes, and frees Calcium and Sodium salts when dissolved. Bascal S has a protein degrading effect on the skin that opens up the fiber structure. This also helps to promote lighter and softer, and fuller fur skins. It can also be used in your hydration bath to aid in opening up the skins and adding more softness prior to pickling.

Saftee Acid has become an extremely popular pickling acid. It works at a low Ph level, usually in a range of 0.9-1.5 (below a 2.0) and essentially sterilizes your skins. It’s economical, and environmentally safe. If spilled, Saftee Acid will turn into a fertilizer in 2 weeks. It has no odor or fumes, and 1 quart of it will treat 64 gallons of pickling solution. However, when used in the pickle with salt, remember that the salt is still a problem and must be properly disposed of after use.

The Basic Formula and Method Used

Dirt Removal Soak – Soak the skins or capes for 4 hours in plain water to remove surface dirt. Then rehydrate
using the following formula.

Rehydration – For every 1 Gallon of Relaxing solution needed – mix:

1 Gallon Of Water

4 grams of Bascal S

2 Tablespoonfuls of Rittels Ultra-Soft (#US-609) – Ph = 3.0

OR Use 

1/8 fl. Oz. of Rittels Bactericide (#PS-650) – Ph = 3.0 

Soak the skins or capes in this solution for 14-16 hours, or until relaxed. 

Pickling – For every 1 Gallon of Pickle needed – mix:

1 Lb. of Salt

1 Oz. of Bascal S (3 level Tablespoonfuls)

Place the skins into this pickling solution, and allow them to soak for 6-14

hours. Ph = 2.3 

Remove the skins.

Then add to each 1 Gallon of Pickle:

˝ Ozs. of Oxalic Acid – Ph = 1.4

OR Use

3 Ozs. of Citric Acid – Ph = 1.5

OR Use

˝ fl. oz. of Saftee Acid – Ph = 1.3

Allow the skins or capes to soak in this solution overnight (14-16 hours),

or longer, if necessary. Stir the skins daily, and monitor the Ph level. Do not

add a Bactericide to this mixture. The low Ph will kill all bacteria.

My Experiment

I used a salted and dried Whitetail Deerskin for this test. It was killed this last season and was dried hard. I originally intended to make leather from it, but decided that it would be a good piece for this experiment. I considered it an average skin.

     1.I relaxed the skin using a Relaxing bath of Water and Rittel’s product Ultra-Soft (US-609). 2 Tablespoonfuls of US-609 to every 1 gallon of water. No salt. No Bactericide. Ph = 6.3-6.5. The skin was soaked for 6 hours, removed, rinsed 3 times in fresh water and drained. 
      2.When I mixed the Relaxing bath, I mixed 1 Lb. of Salt and 1 oz. of Bascal S to every 1 gallon of hot tap water. I stirred the mixture 3-4 times while the skin drained, and the Bascal S was fully dissolved in 15 minutes. Then while the skin relaxed, I allowed this mixture to cool. Ph = 2.3. I placed the relaxed skin in this solution and let it soak for 6 hours. Then I removed it before adding Saftee Acid. The Ph = 3.45 when the skin was removed.
     3.I added ˝ fl. oz. of Saftee Acid to each 1 gallon of the Bascal S and Salt
mixture. Stirred, and then after checking the Ph level, I placed the skins into
the pickle. Ph = 1.32. I let the skin soak overnight for 14 hours. After 14 hours
the Ph was = 1.66, I checked the skin for hair tightness and it was nice and
tight. I was especially impressed with the way the skin had fully relaxed. It made shaving extremely easy. No hard spots and it was very plump. 

                                              Summary

This combination of using Bascal S and Saftee Acid adds a lot of fullness to the skin, making shaving easy! The skin is plump and very relaxed. The hair is tight.
I would highly recommend this combination. I did not have access to African salt dried or air dried skins, so I was unable to use one for this experiment.
However, this method, using Bascal S in both the relaxing bath and pickle would seem particularly useful in relaxing these normally tough to relax skins. 

NOTE ;
For more information and prices on Bascal S or Saftee Acid – Contact Rittels Tanning Supplies. 

Thank you

Bruce Rittel