Holes opening up in hide after dry scraping

[KHickam]

Hey all;

Last year I brain tanned and smoked about 20 hides - obviously I got better results as time went on.  This year I decided to try dry scraping with a tool - and it did fine - but after braining the hides during the wringing process I opened up a bunch of holes - and the hide seams really thin (whitetail deer hides ) and a couple hides than only had a couple large holes in them after scraping - have become full of holes after wringing?

Any ideas? Or alternative suggestions as to what might have caused this

[RBMJS]

Hmmmm, Seems odd that you would have problems after doing 20 even though I am assuming they were wet scrape.  Is there a chance that there were knife scores that got thinner after scraping? Arguing with myself, I would have thought that they would do the same with wet scrape though.   
I have some experiance in the dry scrape method and have never seen a hide do that . Is it possible that what ever you were finishing the hide on was causing problems as in cable,disc blade. So many variables--so little info.   Is there a chance you could post a picture of your scraper?  RBMJS

[KHickam]

We got the tool from Crazy Crow - Nice hides BTW

[RBMJS]

I have that scraper also. I got it when Matt Richards was selling them at his former site. I didn't care for it for scraping at all. I was going to return it but found it works great for scrape fleshing and thinning a buff hide I prefer a much flatter profile on my scraper. I use 14" mill bastard file cut in 4" pcs. Grind the teeth away one side for an inch or so. carefully grind a long slope on the other. Mount in a handle with 5 min. epoxy. Do not take the slope completely to the tip . Use a simple 30"belt sander to grind around 45 degree angle at tip. Use this same cheap sander to sharpen with 320 grit belts. The front profile should be only slightly curved. Mount the blade with 5 min. epoxy. When you wish to change a blade, just heat it with a heat gun or propane torch. This glue gives up easily with heat. Just glue in a new blade again.
I'm thinking that tool is not giving you a level surface. Still surprised it came apart though.