ENHANCE YOUR HOME WITH YOUR VERY OWN SHEEPSKINS, OR GIVE A SPECIAL PERSONALISED GIFT OR TROPHY SKIN.

FOR US TO SUPPLY YOU WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE TANNED SKINS FOLLOW THESE UNTREATED SKIN CARE PROCEDURES

High quality raw material must be supplied. (We cannot turn a pig’s ear into a silk purse).

Damage is influenced by many factors, and the following guidelines will reduce this:

SKIN SELECTION:

Wool length over 75mm will knot up and cannot be processed through tanning machinery. Likewise heavy sheep may split at the neck, and some breeds (Merino) have a weaker skin structure and are more susceptible to some skin damage.

Fine woolskins felt much more easily, and their maximum wool length should be 50mm;

25mm is best.

SKINNING:

Take skin off cleanly, as our machinery will enlarge any holes or cuts made in the skin.   Remove ears and hooves.

The skin must be cooled immediately by spreading the skin, skin-side up and hosing (also to remove blood off wool or hair). Skins must be delivered to us the same day for tanning. Do NOT allow them to overheat in the boot of a car. This happens very quickly.

PRESERVATION:

If you can’t deliver the same day you will need to preserve the skin to prevent the rapid bacterial action, which leads to wool or hair loss. The two suitable methods of preservation are: Salting or Freezing.   NOTE – Cattle Hides to be frozen only.

Salting:

Make sure the water has drained off the cooled skin.

Spread 2kg of medium grade salt over the skin surface, being careful to cover right to the edges.

Fold the skin lengthwise flesh to flesh, and roll up from butt to neck.

This preservation should last for two weeks.

Freezing: -

Make sure the skin is well drained.

Fold the skin lengthwise flesh to flesh, and roll up from butt to neck.

Skin Reception:

Do not deliver frozen skins on a Friday.

When delivering skin/s please make sure you advise our staff that the skins are for custom tanning. If you are having your skins delivered to us make sure they are in waterproof wrapping and that your address and Tanning request is clearly visible.  The delivery address is Classic Sheepskins, 22 Thames St., Pandora, Napier.

At this point trained staff will assess the skin/s.

Your details will be taken (include a daytime contact phone number, correct address and email), a receipt will be issued if your skins are suitable for tanning.

Frozen skins cannot be assessed until they are defrosted. We will contact you for your instructions if they are not suitable.

Take our advice. We have the experience.

Tanning Procedures:

Your skins are tagged when received, and these tags are checked throughout the process. Very occasionally a tag becomes dislodged, and if the skin cannot be found we will supply a close replacement, and if damage should occur we will endeavor to contact you to discuss what options are available.

Please Note: We will not be responsible for hair or wool loss or factors beyond our control.   Molting skins, damage when killed or incorrect preservation or handling of skins can cause these.

The full tanning and finishing process takes approx. 6 weeks; longer if you want your skins dyed or manufactured into car seat covers or designer rugs etc.

We welcome visitors to join our factory tour at 11.00am and 2.00pm daily where you can see our qualified staff enhancing one of nature’s true gifts.

TANNING CHARGES (All prices GST inclusive):

SHEEPSKINS - 1 - 10 skins       $60ea.                               HARE, RABBIT,

                           Over 10 skins    $58ea.                         POSSUM & WALLABY   $23ea                                                                                    

DEERSKINS - PRICED ON INSPECTION.                       ALPACA        $115

Small (less than 100cm long)                  $58

Medium (Between 100cm and 120cm)      $64              GOAT           $60

Large (120cm and over)                         $75

THAR – Nanny                                     $ 81             CATTLE HIDES: Short Hair -

THAR – Bull                                         $104                             Medium & Large    $450                                

                                                                                             Short Hair XLarge

                                                                                             & All Highland       $485

CUSTOM TANNING FOR COW HIDES

We process using an environmental tanning system using low water. The resulting product has an ivory coloured skin with clean hair and great lustre.

Hide Preparation:

The skin removal and initial treatment is vital for us to be able to provide you with a quality finished product. Bacteria work to degrade the hide from the time of slaughter. The effects of a staled hide are varied from loose or missing hair to harder finished product. To prevent the bacteria from taking hold the skin must be cooled immediately after slaughter. We suggest hosing off both sides and throwing over a wooden fence in the shade to drain prior to freezing. Do not throw over a metal rail or wires this can cause staining. In summer months we recommend soaking the skin in a barrel of iced water for an hour to remove the heat prior to freezing.

Identification:

It is important to mark your skins prior to freezing where possible. Use a craft knife to engrave your initial on the hair side at the butt of the skin. If you have access to a digital camera take a digital photo of your skin and email it through or put a copy with the hide when sending down. Once your hide has been marked, fold skin to skin and roll. Place in a sack or plastic basket and freeze. The hide will take at least 2 days to freeze.

 Send down all details with the hide:

• Name Address, Telephone and Email 
• Initials on hide
• Breed
• Is skin required to be freighted back or picked up?

We will thaw the hides and inspect. If we find major fault on inspection: Heavy flays, holes, bacterial damage we will contact you prior to proceeding.

We will take all care in processing your prized hide and will work to minimise the risk of any damage. If the unforeseen happens and a hide is damaged in the processing we will discount the hide proportionately. 

We aim to finish your hides within 8 weeks. On completion of your hide you will be sent out an invoice. 

$450.00 - STANDARD SHORT HAIR COW 

$485.00 - BULL OR HIGHLAND COW

$580.00 - BISON

We will only hold hides for 1 month after completion. If they are not paid for or picked up within this period they will be resold. 

For any enquiries ring us on 0800 170 171

HIDE DISCLAIMER

Whilst it is our intention of returning your hide in the best possible condition, due to the difficulties in processing and the differing nature of each of the individual hides; shape and substance and the susceptibility by: Flaying, Bacteria, Fleshing and Shaving we can offer NO Guarantees.

 I____________________________________accept that there is an inherent risk to the processing of my Hide and that Classic Sheepskins will process at all care and NO responsibility.