Fleshing Machine Worth The Money?

15pt · Jun 27, 2020

101stcurrahee said: ↑

Do they give huge discounts to taxidermists? My old one told me it cost around50/60 bucks a cape for the tannery that’s he uses. I called every tannery around and they all wanted $200+. I've got one that 1 can use that charges $65 and this one is $47. All within driving distance of me.

Thanks for the replies. I’m going to get a machine when I can.
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Fallenscale · Jun 27, 2020

George said: ↑

I assume the MAY have had them in commercial Tangiers in 1958 but it damned sure wasn't in the Northwestern Taxidery Supply or Van Dykes Supply catalogs. And I have to wonder how you "sharpen" a blade that has to be curled and annealed afterwards. Now i "dressed" my blades until I hit the hard disk, but I never sharpened them. I suspect you have a wild hair growing someplace and just want to carry this defense of antique tools farther. You seem to have exceptional talent by the photos so you need to explain your end game here. Fleshing beams are like hard wire telephones and manual typewriters.
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I would think any thing that was over a 100 years old was antique. You shouldn't be going off how good your round knife is then.

101stcurrahee · Jul 28, 2020

Tanglewood Taxidermy said: ↑

I too, used a slicing motion. I would slice from right to left as I pushed in a foreword motion. All the flesh fat and membrane would come off in one motion on a fairly long swath. On fur bearers, it would also thin the hide somewhat. I had to be careful not to cut through the hair roots.
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I built a proper fleshing beam and then sharpened my knife on one side. It shredded the best hide I had ever done to absolute shit. I was really hoping to try a life size mount with it.

How are you not destroying them with a sharp knife? I didn't even make it that sharp and it just annihilated it.....

Fallenscale · Jul 29, 2020

101stcurrahee said: ↑

I built a proper fleshing beam and then sharpened my knife on one side. It shredded the best hide I had ever done to absolute shit. I was really hoping to try a life size mount with it.

If you gut a deer and cut the intestines wouldn't you think you were to forceful. When fleshing with a properly sharpen fleshing knife you dont have to muscle the flesh or fat off. Also be sure there no burrs in the fur to cause a place for the hide not to lay flat on the beam.

How are you not destroying them with a sharp knife? I didn't even make it that sharp and it just annihilated it.....
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101stcurrahee · Jul 29, 2020

I'm only being as forceful as necessary to get the fat and tissue off. I'm surprised just how bad a sharp fleshing knife jacked up a tough badger hide. I fleshed two using a wire wheel and that didn't even put holes in it. Guess it's back to that.

JL · Jul 29, 2020

Fallenscale said: ↑

Yes for me I sharpen the right hand side. When I push I dont push strait I push and slide my knife to the right in cutting it slicing motion. Very little pressure is aplyed if you work up a sweat you're haven't got it down right. In the late 80's I would flesh and board 100 to 150 raccoon aday in November and December then beaver would start coming in that's when a sharp fleshing is a must to flesh the back by the tail.
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101stcurrahee · Jul 29, 2020

So you’re essentially shaving the fat and flesh off more than traditional “fleshing.”

that sounds incredibly hard to master doing without slicing through.

George · Jul 29, 2020

Fallenscale said: ↑

I would think any thing that was over a 100 years old was antique. You shouldn't be going off how good your round knife is then.
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Like I said, you have a wild hair growing someplace. Where did the "100 years" come from?

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Fleshing Machine Worth The Money?

15pt Well-Known Member

Fallenscale Well-Known Member

101stcurrahee Member

Fallenscale Well-Known Member

101stcurrahee Member

JL Taxidermist for 64 years

101stcurrahee Member

George The older I get, the better I was.