Submitted by Chad on 12/16/99. ( w_chad@hotmail.com ) 207.87.249.17
I am planing to tan some hides myself. But what I need to know is, Is shaving a hide really all that important? I know that you might not be able to pick up every little detail in the form. but other than that is it really needed?
Thanks
Chad (w_chad@hotmail.com)
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This response submitted by George Roof on 12/16/99. ( georoofl@aol.com ) 152.163.189.66
Chad,
I'll step out on a limb (so what's new) and say "no". Then again, you don't have to tan the hide, you could use Dry Preserve, and no you don't need to tuck the eyelids, and no you don't need to put a septum appearance into the manniken, and no, you don't have to use the best eyes available in your mount. BUT, if you want your mount to look it's best, the hide (Even our big norther tier deer with winter coats) needs to be shaved. You get better stretch in the hide, it lays better on the manniken, and the seams have less puckering. There are "alternative" ways of shaving, but nothing beats the round knife on a fur dressing machine. And so that no one gets thistles in their jockey powder, this is a PERSONAL PREFERENCE. You decide what's best for you.
This response submitted by Pacemakr on 12/16/99. ( jfwagner@hereintown.net ) 209.240.200.104
George, If you don't mind, I'm making a printout of this and frame it on my wall. Well said!
This response submitted by LH on 12/16/99. ( ) 208.231.219.76
This one goes back to George: I've got two does that I arrowed in early October (6th). Although the bases of the guard hairs are imbedded and not visible from the leather side, the leather is extremely thin, similar to the thickness of a coyote pelt. Does this one need to be shaved or can it be tanned and mounted?
This response submitted by George Roof on 12/17/99. ( georoof@aol.com ) 152.163.188.230
When I shave my hides, I try to take it down until the hide has a very pale blue tinge. This means I'm close to the hair follicles. If your hide is already there, there is no need to shave it in my opinion.
Again, what works for me is that I dip my green hide in old tumbler mix and then shave it. The sawdust sticks to the membrane and gives a great indicator for where I shaved last. For thin hides like you mention, I dust them with dry preserve to dry that membrane and set my round knife for a very thin hide. Then I shave the DP off and begin the tanning process. The DP lets you see how thin the skin is where the sawdust would cover it.
And again, that's what works for me. Some of the competition guys propably have a better way.
This response submitted by Chris on 12/20/99. ( christhedford@aol.com ) 205.188.208.73
George, When I saw on the forum about shaving that Chad asked, I jumped on it, because I too was wondering the same thing. Not every hobby taxidermist has $1000 to spend on a fleshing machine. If you arn't going to answer the question then keep your mouth shut, and keep your smart ass comments to yourself. I have learned tons of valuable knowledge from the forums, and thank all that have taken the time to answer my questions. But of course there are always people like you there. I would love to have you talk to me like that to my face. George I would love to see you at the next world show, but I bet you are too good to learn anything from the pros, since you know it all already.
This response submitted by Chuck on 12/21/99. ( Safetway@aol.com ) 152.163.188.230
Thanks for taking the time to answer the question. As for Chris don't let the _ _ _ _ head get to you. Just consider the source. Please keep helping with any information you may have. The intelligent people will take from it what they need. Again thank you and all the other people for taking your time to help...
This response submitted by Chris on 12/21/99. ( christhedford@aol.com ) 152.163.189.66
Thanks from hearing from all of you on my e-mail. I'm glad so many others are sick of all the smart ass know-it-alls.
This response submitted by Leanna on 12/22/99. ( ) 209.98.65.68
I don't understand why you guys give George so much crap. Have you no sense of humor? Are you that low on self esteem that you are taking all these as you state, "smartass" comments to heart? Look at things in a bit of a different spectrum. Maybe look at it as a softening way of making you see the "point" rather than a direct hit to your pride. Lighten up a bit and enjoy life and the unadulterated help from the men and women on here that REALLY do know what the heck we all are asking of them.
How many times have you all felt that you were asking a really "dumb" question? I know I have, and have even stated the fact, and then whoever answers usually assures us that there are no dumb questions. Well, I say we need to treat the answers to these questions with the same respect, and don't take every little comment to heart. Read with a good attitude not an attacking attitude.
I also think a few of you have wronged George.
This response submitted by Bill on 12/22/99. ( yoxtax@aol.com ) 152.163.189.66
...but I dont mount a bad looking whitetail, I go to the world show, and I agree COMPLETLY with George. I know George Roof well, and have never even heard of this Chris or know what he is even talking about. Im quite sure he didnt get truckloads of mail supporting him, as he suggested, either. I can tell you that there is a handful of guys (and gals)giving intelligent answers in these forums, and we are all thankful. Oh, one other thing, when you neutralize the skin, you can shave off the resulting swell and not interfere with the hair "roots".
This response submitted by TONY on 12/23/99. ( ) 152.163.189.66
WAY TO GO GEORGE. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW ME, LET ME JUST INTRODUCE MYSELF AS BEING ONE OF GEORGE'S STUDENTS. I HAVE BEEN IN TAXIDERMY FOR 16 YEARS AND HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN TO GEORGE'S SHOP SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
GEORGE HAS PERSONALLY HELPED ME IN MORE WAY'S THAN ONE. IF I HAVE A QUESTION, GEORGE WILL USUALLY HAVE AN ANSWER AND IF HE DOSN'T, THEN HE WILL GET BACK WITH ME.
I HAVE TRUSTED GEORGE'S COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING ISSUES THAT HAS CAUSED ME PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.
FOR THE ONE'S WHO THINK GEORGE IS JUST ANOTHER SMARTASS, THEN BROTHER YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. WHERE I COME FROM, IT TAKES A SMARTASS TO KNOW ONE.
FOR THOSE WHO TAKE THE TIME TO ASK GEORGE A QUESTION, LISTEN TO WHAT THE ANSWER IS. MAYBE IT WILL AND MAYBE IT WANT HELP YOU BUT I BET MONEY GEORGE HAS TRIED IT HIMSELF.
TO ANYONE WHO GETS THE CHANCE TO MEET GEORGE IN PERSON AS I HAVE, YOU WILL SEE A TAXIDERMIST WHO'S PRIDE IS NOT SHATTERED BY HELPING OTHERS.
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