fleshing questions

[105 taxidermy]

What is the best flesher to use to flesh a green cape?  I use a sharp knife but it is very slow and it is killing me,  lol.
Does a mini flesher work good on green capes? Does a Dakota IV or V flesher work good on green capes?  I use DP and that is why I am asking. Being new to taxidermy I need to know the process, do I salt it and leave it for a few days?

[Scott Olson]

The beam and fleshing knife works good for me

[Brian Jones]

Both of the Dakotas will work for raw capes, if you are going to spend that kind of jack on a machine. I would tan and not DP. I know you didn't ask that but, that was free advice.

[semisneek]

What is the best flesher to use to flesh a green cape?  I use a sharp knife but it is very slow and it is killing me,  lol.
Does a mini flesher work good on green capes? Does a Dakota IV or V flesher work good on green capes?  I use DP and that is why I am asking. Being new to taxidermy I need to know the process, do I salt it and leave it for a few days?

First I think you need to buy a DVD like Rick Carters Whitetail A-Z if doing whitetails.  You said you need to know the process and asking how long to leave the salt on I think you need a DVD to watch before you do anything.

[mark c]

THE money you spend up front for a fleshing machine is the dollars you will save from the disasters you make .. i use the d/ 4 for finish and face work and the d/5 for the body stuff. it was a big investment and if you part time or plannig full time  it is the only way to go. some times they put the fleshers on sale and at xmas time you can get free shipping if you want to wait  good luck get gloves first  mark c

[105 taxidermy]

ty mark ill try just that are the hard to learn to use.

[mark c]

the machines arnt hard to learn . you would be well advised to start on a cap/ skin you dont want first.. the trick to them is small critters like yotes and cats   use the d/4 for all of it  .. the bigger stuff like deer and hogs  and bear use both.   setting the blades are the trick. dont take to much each pass untill you get used to it. keep your blades very sharp all the time .you will learn when you tune them witch way the lip is when you get the hang of it .. you will see what i mean .  GLOVES   before docctors  is the tip of the year.. mark c

[105 taxidermy]

what kind of gloves do you use.

[30-06]

Don't salt if you are going to DP.

[Studmuffin]

Let me just say this. I am now retired but for forty years I was in and out of taxidermy and worked in a couple local shops just to lend a hand from time to time. I would strongly suggest that if you get a flesher you really need to get a video on the process as well as practice on some junk hides . Reason being if you do not watch what you are doing you will absolutely shred a hide to pieces and you will do more repairing than fleshing. I personally like the fleshing knife and beam but did have a D4 which does a good job it just takes practice and time.IMO

Good Luck..

[John C]

Its the weather warm where you live? High PRessure washer for starts. You still need to shave the cape during the pickle. but you can be done in minutes with initial fleshing and if your deer are thin skinned you dont need a flesher.

[Kraig]

Its the weather warm where you live? High PRessure washer for starts. You still need to shave the cape during the pickle. but you can be done in minutes with initial fleshing and if your deer are thin skinned you dont need a flesher.

DP & pickle? Hummmm

[Hudson]

I "flesh" everything on the machine, for me it is very simple but I use one constantly. Using a machine is actually easier and "hole safer" than shaving. For beginners I would suggest using a wire wheel on the face, that is pretty fast and as long as you do not sit in one place it is pretty "hole safe". I have never used the power flesher but many claim great success. I do alot of tanning and some of the capes I receive do not look like they have been fleshed at all. LOL. Maybe look into exactly how much is really needed as you could be over doing it, it is good practice but is not necessary to remove every bit of flesh and membrane.

[TMALONE]

I have a Van Dyke's Pro, a mini shaver, and power washer.  Had a Dakota !V for years.  I still do my fleshing with a knife on a beam.  sometimes when it's warm I will flesh with the power washer. 

[Marc A]

Kevlar gloves, are in most of the supply catalogs.  Get two or three pair.  I always have a clean pair that way.  I didn't think I needed them until I fleshed my finger !