I seem to almost always rip the end of my deer ears out while skinning is there any way to fix them easily?
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When you turn the ear inside out, stay away from the edges. You can open them up to 80%, then after the pickle or tan, you can finish opening the ears the rest of the way. Go slow, very slow and turn to the edges very gently. You will be surprised how good they will end up if you do not rush. Then some ears just blow out no matter how gentle you go. Get used to sewing.
I go as far as I can with an ear opener and then use my thumb nail to get the rest of the way. I tore the edges of mine to when I got to close until I tried with my nail. hope this helps.
They can be fixed, and also check the archives ragarding dryer sheets/glue for other tear fixes.
As far as opening the tip end goes, mt taxidermist is right. The way I use my thunbnail, is to open the entire ear, except for the last inch or so of the tip with the ear opener. Now, take your finger at the tip end, and push the last inch or so of the remaining unturned tip back inside, basically like you were starting to turn the ear back to the normal position with the hair out. Only go an inch or so, and put your thumbnail in the cartilage/skin pocket that you just formed by starting to re-invert, and reach up around the underneath into the hair side with your ring finger or whatever one reaches for you. Pinch the skin between your thumb and other finger, and with small back and fourth actions with your thumb, you will open the remaining edge of the ear. 1/4 to 1/8 inch is far enough until after its been tanned.
You will have a much better feel by doing it that way, rather than trying to use the ear opener all the way out. Once they are turned this way to my liking, I dump a small amount of salt into that samll pocket immediately, then rub down the rest of the ear. Try to do this is fast as you can..or work on getting faster, because the longer you mess with the ears with your hands, the more heat you transfer to the ears, and slippage could result. Good Luck - JB
on the outside of the ears when you are popping them open. This control is neccessary or you will pop them everytime. You can't just stick them in and squeeze.
I do hold the ear openers while opening the ears although i think they should be renamed ear rippers. I was wondering if i just glued them if that would hold also was wondering how Epo-Grip works as now i only use bondo with a earliner and no cartilage removed.
For years I have been using ear liners along with leaving the cartilage in. Much faster and so much easier. The ears turn out awsome and very strong. Why waste all the time removing the cartilage when you really dont have to. Use a good adhesive when gluing. DO NOT USE BONDO with this system. You will be impressed with the turn out of the ears this way.
FF what brand ear liners do you use with that system?
celastic earliners