This is my first crack at submiting to this forum. I've been reading it for a couple of months now and it's great. I did try to find info. on this question but wasn't satisfied so, here goes.
I've had the privelidge of working for a taxidermist on the weekends for a couple of years now in exchange for free labor. A fair trade in my book as I now have experiance on lots of diferent mounts and species. We even did a longhorn steer. He never did any birds or fish though. I'm on my own now part time/hobby (Hah Hah)! Sadly, my mentor was just in it for the money and his work reflected that. I always have taken pains to make my work the best I can and his customers even started noticing that my finsh work was better than his. oops I'm rambling. My question: I always used his tools when at his shop and he used black stanley lockback razor type knife for everything. He is able to "apropriate" the blades for free so it doesn't matter that they go dull quickly. I was wondering what other taxidermists think is the best type of knife(s) for skinning capes, mammals, splitting ears, lips etc. Yes I realize that there are going to be diferent opinions on this, but if I could get a few recomendations before I start buying knives on a trial basis it would be great. Thanks again for the time you all spend on this forum, it helps.
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And this is all I use when doing any skinning.
1 You will need a scalpel. I like the round tips for my work.
2 I use an old trusty hunting knife. It's made by Kabar and it's atleast 20 yrs old.
These are all the knifes I really need. The only other knife would be a fish skinng knife.
As for the ears I use hemostats for the small mammals and the regular ear openers from Van Dykes.
As we say this ain't rocket science. Use whatever works best in your hands.
the knife(s) you get use to. For skinning, splitting ears, a kitchen pairing knife of good quality works great. Get a good quality one from your hardware store. But also many other types work as well. For shaving a good 6" boner knife, will get your job done. You can purchase these from taxi. suppliers or see butcher at your meat market, grocery store, meat packing house, fish processor etc. I like it that you have pride for the quality in your work. Keep it up.
that and a scalpel will get the skin off anything
Carl, i am just curious where your from. Theres no need in mentioning any names of who you worked for. There is a taxidermist in my area that operates that way. If you could just say the state and county, that would be enough for me. Im not trying to be nosey or anything, im just curious.
Also, all i use is a scapel and replacement blades. I got mine from van dykes and got a box of 100 of the #24 blade. You may also want to invest in a pair of surgical scissors for detailed fleshing, these work better than the scapel for me, van dykes also carries them as well.
Hope this helps
bye,
William
I like a short, 2-3" drop-point skinner honed and stroped razor sharp and a second knife with a thin 6" blade to work around hooves and other tight spots. Include a quality scapel handle and plenty of replacement blades. I like the fat handles available in the jewelry trade because they are more comfortable in my hand. A good heavy steak knife can come in handy, as well as a meat or bone saw. I also use some thin curved blade knives I picked up in japan. I don't know what they were intended for, but they are excellent in some areas. Like Frank said, the fish skinners are handy too.
There are a host of specialty knives for shaving and fleshing and other work that you might accumulate as they are required.
William, I live in the Foothills of the cascades in the Pacific northwest. Washington St. I don't want to malign my teacher to much, as he did teach me alot but yes, his work disapoints me.
Thanks to all who responded. till next time, Carl
Hey I got some good knives but i go to walmart back in the cooking section and they have some (tater pillers) you can get 4 in a pakage for .99 cents they work good and when they get dull chunk em our they sharpen farley good.