I just learned the diffence between fleshing a cape and shaving or thinning a cape. My question is will a knife work or do I need a high dollar machine.
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I am a beginner also and have only been at this for about a year now. As far as fleshing goes, I have been using my hunting knife for everything from deer to squirrels, but it is a bit large when it comes to smaller sections of meat or details. However, I recently bought a Chicago Cutlery pearing knife from Wal-Mart and it is very sharp and easy to work with. It was only about $5 (maybe 6?) and I am pleased with the ease of use it has.
Like I said though, I am learning too! Its small size makes it easy to use. I don't have any machines and am doing everything by hand as it is, so I guess I'm trying to find a nice pattern and way of doing things. The most important thing I have noticed with knives is keeping them sharp. The sharper they are, the easier the job is.
(If anyone out there wants to add to what I have said, please do...I could use advice here too regarding helpful tools.)
Hope this helps.
Just buy yourself a small sharpe scalpel not the surgery kind but the kind you can sharpen yourself..they are good for many uses yeah even a deer cape
Sam, I like filet knives for fleshing and thinning the face of a cape. Rappela makes a commonly sold knife w/6" blade. It's VERY easy to sharpen and cheap, about $10. The thin blade and a little flex works well for me. When the blade finally breaks (and it will right at the handle)don't throw it away. Drill out the handle a bit, file or grind down the blade to make a new tang and set into the handle w/epoxie. The new shorter blade will quickly become your favorite. I have 2 of these "broken" knives on my skinning table now with Apoxie-sculpt enhanced handles---ergonomics? Anyway, try one and I think you will like it- Enjoy, Aaron H.