The process of making rabbit skin involves several careful steps to ensure the final product is soft, durable, and ready for use. Here's a detailed and well-structured guide to the traditional method:
First, the rabbit skin needs to be soaked in water. After it has been dried, gently clean the surface with a blunt spatula to remove any excess fat or meat that might still be attached. Once cleaned, submerge the skin in clean water for 1–2 days. This helps soften the hide, making it easier to work with in the following stages.
Next, degreasing is essential to remove any remaining oils. Apply a 2‰ sodium carbonate solution to the surface of the skin. Avoid direct contact with rough surfaces, and after 10–20 minutes, rinse the skin thoroughly with clean water. Then prepare a warm water solution with 2‰ detergent and soak the skin for another 10 minutes. Rinse again with water to ensure all residues are removed.
Now comes the nitrification stage. Soak the wet rabbit skin in a solution containing 20% sodium nitrate and 25% rice flour. The ratio should be 2–8 times the weight of the skin. Let it sit for 1–2 weeks. During this time, perform hand-dip tests to check the texture. When the skin feels soft yet firm, the nitrification is complete. It’s important to use rice flour rather than regular wheat flour to avoid unwanted reactions. Turn the skin over once daily during the soaking period. Once the skins are partially dry, stretch them four times to prevent excessive shrinkage.
For finishing, allow the skin to air-dry naturally. Use a knife to trim the edges where the hair is hard or uneven. Then, manually rub the skin until it becomes soft and supple. You can then cut it into desired shapes or sizes. However, if you notice a “smoke removal†phenomenon—where the tannins in the skin dissolve when wet, causing the skin to stick or harden—take action. Prepare three separate solutions: dissolve 250g of chromium alum in 2.5kg of hot water, 25g of sodium carbonate in 1kg of warm water, and 250g of salt in 1.5kg of cold water. Mix the sodium carbonate solution into the chromium alum solution while stirring with a wooden stick. Then add the salt solution. Apply the mixture evenly onto the affected areas of the skin. Let it sit for 4–5 hours, and repeat the process 2–3 times until the mixture fully penetrates the skin. Finally, rinse with water, flatten, and let it dry completely.
Lastly, store the finished rabbit skin by exposing it to sunlight for a few days to evaporate any remaining oils and eliminate odors. Place a small amount of mothballs inside the storage container to protect against pests. Wrap the skins in cloth, especially during the summer months, to keep them safe and maintain their quality.
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