I recently purchased a Friendly Flesher and with it came an article you wrote on proper fleshing. In it you state to always flesh a hide with the lay of the hair i. e. from tail to head. I have used a dakota flesher for several years and always fleshed from the head back. I have done several capes with the new flesher as you described in your article and don't seem to notice any difference. Also, did I make the right choice in fleshing machines. Thanks
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I cant't tell you much about the "friendly flesher" since I have not had an opportunity to try it.
But - for the sake of how to shave going by the lay of the fur or hair - I consider it very important. This is especially true on thinly skinned animals. On Deer and some of the heavily fleshed animals you can cheat and get away with it - but on the thinner ones - shaving with the lay will save you lots of mistakes! Ever "pop" a tail? Shave it with the lay - tip to base - and you wont, unless you cut too deep! Evar flesh a Rabbit skin on a fleshing Beam? All I can tell you is that the technique works! Even experienced shavers use it - altho in some cases its simply habit and they may not even be aware thats how they shave.
I was just curious. I have noticed that I have not had as much trouble with cutting holes. Again thanks for your time.