Cured pig skin

jasonmnash043 · 9 Nov 2020

Hi

I’ve spoken to a butcher who says he supplies specially prepared pig skin. He cures it, dry’s it out, cleans it and says it’s much better to tattoo on as more flexible and better resembles human skin. Also lasts longer, doesn’t smell etc.

he’s charging £25 for 14inch square sheets which sounds expensive to me.

has anyone got any thoughts? Whether the treatment might justify the extra cost?

Thanks in advance.
Jason

Dazza · 9 Nov 2020

You can get pig skin from Morrison’s for 3-4 pounds , I think that guys taking the piss

MalligaMallan · 9 Nov 2020

It may be better to tattoo on, but why take the extra cost when it's only a matter of practising, and regular pig skin is good enough? I don't think he's trying to fool you (don't know any other English word) though, as it's pretty much work. I figure he's just charging for his work. If I were you I would buy smallest piece possible, just to try it. Out of curiosity ?

jasonmnash043 · 9 Nov 2020

Thank you both. I’ve not actually tried pig skin yet so will get some of the untreated cheaper one first and see how I get on.

thanks

Dazza · 9 Nov 2020

jasonmnash043 said:
Thank you both. I’ve not actually tried pig skin yet so will get some of the untreated cheaper one first and see how I get on.

thanks

most pig skin from the supermarket comes with little slits in it ,that can be annoying as the ink can get wiped into them ,but still it’s a great medium to practice on

Dazza · 9 Nov 2020

And you don’t want it to be dried out as it dries within a couple of days use and doesn’t take the ink as well

MalligaMallan · 9 Nov 2020

Best is to clean them thoroughly and put them in the freezer. Tattooing them works best when they are juuust thawed. (I always switched between two skins - put one in the freezer to cool it down while tattooing the other. And switched when it got "too" thawed ?)

jasonmnash043 · 10 Nov 2020

MalligaMallan said:
Best is to clean them thoroughly and put them in the freezer. Tattooing them works best when they are juuust thawed. (I always switched between two skins - put one in the freezer to cool it down while tattooing the other. And switched when it got "too" thawed ?)

Oh right, thanks. Will give that a try

balooka · 10 Nov 2020

If there is a local butcher you should ask there. I used to get mine for free (as much as I wanted) but had to ask him the day before he slaughtered the pigs. He'd clean them and go easy on the amount of slits and could pick them up a day after. Clean, cut them in normal sizes and freeze them like Malin said.

jasonmnash043 · 10 Nov 2020

balooka said:
If there is a local butcher you should ask there. I used to get mine for free (as much as I wanted) but had to ask him the day before he slaughtered the pigs. He'd clean them and go easy on the amount of slits and could pick them up a day after. Clean, cut them in normal sizes and freeze them like Malin said.

Thanks, i've tried four so far but they say they sell the pork with it still on. Only one i found says he cures it, treats it as a side business so its £25 but perfect for tattooing (apparently).

I'm going to try a couple of big supermarkets to see if they will do it.

thanks

Chustik · 10 Nov 2020

+1 on the thawing, cant tattoo on it for more than an hour. It just stops taking ink for some reason. Usually put in the fridge over night and when i begin setting up i throw it in the freezer. Gives me just a bit longer to tattoo.

KyleBl4ck · 10 Nov 2020

The cheapest route if you really want to use pig skin - Pig ears. They're CHEAAAAAAP.

jasonmnash043 · 11 Nov 2020

Chustik said:
+1 on the thawing, cant tattoo on it for more than an hour. It just stops taking ink for some reason. Usually put in the fridge over night and when i begin setting up i throw it in the freezer. Gives me just a bit longer to tattoo.

Great, thanks

Cured pig skin

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