I recently tanned a deer hide for a wall hanging. I used a home tanning kit from a commercial supplier. The hardest part by far was the breaking stage. Since I planned to hang the hide on a wall, it didn't have to be really soft and pliable. Even though, the folding and bending was tough in the beginning

If you want a soft, pliable hide I recommend sending it to a tanner. Your time, as labor, to do it yourself will be a lot more than what a tanner would charge.

Yes, I read it years ago when it was posted on Bruce Rittels website. A short mention of breaking doesn't begin to explain what's needed to get a soft hide. How many soft deer hides have you done?

LOL, you are so right Magis! For no more than a tannery charges for a flat skin, it's not worth the dang headache, time and misery. Besides, you'll never get as good of results as a tannery will give you.