shaving ?

[brdhnt]

i have a dakota v and shaved about 10 wt capes with it  I cannot get a good even shave it goes from thick to thin anybody  no what i am doing wrong?

[PLTannery]

Probably just lack of experience.  But check your guards to make sure they are adjusted right.  Try for a longer stroke when shaving, This helps smooth everything out.

[Hudson]

For one make sure your blade is extremely sharp, you would be surprised how much easier shaving is with a good sharp blade. Like PL said it may be your "stroke", if you present the hide to the blade at a steep angle and remove it a steep angle you will shave in shorter chunks instead of longer more even strips. When I shave very fast trying to remove as much flesh as possible I will then back up and fine tune the area I just shaved very fast.

[brdhnt]

ok thanks for the help

[Chasha]

I recently had a problem with my Dakota V - i call McKenzie and talked to one of the taxidermist there (think his name was Gary) he was very helpful in solving my problem.  might try and give them a call

[Tom King]

Also don't throw borax powder to help you grip cause it will dull your blade.....wear gloves.............those fleshers can be nasty .......GL .......Tom

[John L]

If you are shaving after you pickle then disregard.  If you are trying to shave green try after the pickle.

John

[David Patton]

Also don't throw borax powder to help you grip cause it will dull your blade.....wear gloves.............those fleshers can be nasty .......GL .......Tom

I posted once that borax had been used on capes before freezing and it had helped to retain the hair on early season whitetails. SC opens in August, so a lot of deer come in when it is still in the 90's. The borax does help the cape until it can be prepped later, but if it is not rinsed well in the rehydration, it will wreak havoc on your pH for the pickle. Be careful using borax.

I have seen guys use sawdust and dry preserve to help with gripping green capes. I don't think you can beat salt for grip and firming the meat for fleshing. Yes it dulls the blade, but the edge is easily tuned back into shape with the steels.