All you have to do is break the hide by rubbing it back in forth accross a small board stuck in a vise then put neets foot oil on it to soften it up or just work the hide and it will soften up that way also. But it doesn't matter if it's hard or soft if your using it for tying if you wanted to lay them say on a coffee table then you need to break the hide. If you have anymore questions e-mail me with Hides in the Subject. Later Matt

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To each there own !