I am a beginner working on my first deer mount. While fleshing around the lips, I believe I did considerable damage to the lip skin. In addition to a couple of long holes, I also cut some of it away. Has anyone else ever done that? It seemed to take awhile before I realized my scalpel blade had become dull. I was wondering if there is someway to repair the skin. I thought of trying to sew up the holes I made, and trying to find some type of material to sew in to replace the skin I cut away so that I'll have enough to tuck in. Is this the best possible fix, and if so, what materials are best to use?
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Steve I really don't know how large the cuts and holes are you are talking about.Did you only cut away the actuall lip line or parts of the hair also? A lot of times, if the cut is not too severe, you can pull it together when you mount the deer and glue it in place. Works pretty good if you are careful enough with the glue. The front part of the lip can be rebuild with apoxie after the mount has dried. If the holes around the lips are too big to be pulled together( I avoid sewing since it can be seen usually in that area) you may try a replacemant piece of deerhide to glue it into the hole. But here you have to be very careful in doing so. First of all the hide has to match the hide around the lipline (haircolor and pattern). Then you have to cut the replacement piece just right so you won't be able to tell that it was inserted.May take some practise but it can be done. This you can fix either while you mount or after the mount has dried. I am pretty sure there are other ways to fix this problem, so if anybody has a better solution go right on ahead with that one.
Try to go ahead and mount the deer as usual, but use a good fast setting epoxy around the lip area. Pin it when you get it where you want it. Don't put too much though or it might sqiurt back out in your eye!
Jeff
Scapels aren't "forgiving" enough.Get you a good OLD HICKORY knife at your local hdwe. store.They are the best knives made ,in my opinion.If you are cutting holes in the hide you are either going too fast,and are not "focused in" and in your "rhythm" or you're using a tool you've not had enough experience with.Remember-focus and slow...The speed will come later.Good Luck,Jr.