Can hair be removed from a tanned skin?

[Ridgewalker]

My buffalo backskin came in with the hair still on. I wrote for the hair to be remove, but it wasn’t. That’s apparently Africa.
But, I want to make a cartridge belt and regular belts out of it. So can the hair be removed now that it is tanned?
Thanks for any help!

 

[wipartimer]

I'm certainly no expert, but I would think you could shave it, if nothing else

 

[CM McKenzie]

I have never tried to remove hair from a hide that has already been tanned, but I think it would be a tough go to get the end result you have pictured in your mind. When you pull hair on a raw hide you are pulling hair out at a certain stage of decomposition by the follicle. Being tanned hair on has essentially neutralized this process before the hide could reach this level of decomposition. If you were to shave it; all of the follicles would remain in the hide. I don’t know how a feller would go about that. Post pictures if you find a way that works. I’m curious too.

 

[buck wild]

Basic answer- NO, at least not what you are looking for. There are two different processes to get tanned skins, with hair on and the 'leather" you seek. The hair is basically rotted off in the hairless method before/during the tanning process. It takes longer and is generally more expensive process. Even if you removed the hair with other techniques now, it will probably never been the leather you are wanting.
BTW, a small torch will burn off the existing hair (if you can stomach the smell )

 

[Ridgewalker]

BTW, a small torch will burn off the existing hair (if you can stomach the smell )

Maybe a windy day would help? Just stay up wind!

 

[Bruce]

My buffalo backskin came in with the hair still on. I wrote for the hair to be remove, but it wasn’t. That’s apparently Africa.
But, I want to make a cartridge belt and regular belts out of it. So can the hair be removed now that it is tanned?
Thanks for any help!

So... HAIRY belts it is..