I have mounted a number of wild pheasants but they have very little fat. I'm looking at mounting a few pen raised birds that are very fat. Should I learn to use a wire wheel our will brass brushes and a scapel work just as fast. Dan
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are the way to go in my view. There have been a number of responses regarding wire wheels posted previously. That is not to say that other methods will not work. After all, there were many birds mounted before the advent of wire wheels. Fat and grease removal is paramount to producing an attractive and lasting mount. Removing it with a scapel is challenging, a brass wire brush is a little better but very slow. Using curved scissors is another way which I still use on birds with very thin skins. It also makes a difference on the condition and "toughness" of the skin. Pheasants have pretty tough skin and can take a little rougher handling that a quail or grouse. I would buy the wire wheel and purchase two or three different types of brushes, from very fine to medium. Remember to practice on a non-customer bird a few times. Using a wire wheel does involve "touch" so as not to "burn" through the skin. With a little practice, a wire brush is profoundly faster and does a better job. Good Luck
Are you mounting these for customers or as a hobby? Wild or pen raised- I would use the wire wheel if you are in the business of making money. 1-2 birds will pay for the tool and after a while you will FLY through the job and do a much better job of cleaning. David Luke's bird mounting videoes do a good job showing use of the wheel in my opinion. If you just want to mount a few roosters for yourself and you have a ton a free time, Get er Done with the little wire brush.
Pen raised and wild should both be defatted though.