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Toss Out That Screwdriver You're Using

Discussion in 'Beginners' started by George, Dec 11, 2019.

  1. George

    George The older I get, the better I was.

    The first thing a good mechanic learns is to use the right tool for the right job. I'd bet 99% of taxidermists have used that flat tip screwdriver to remove the skin from the burr of deer and most of them, at one time or another, have skewered their other hand or come damned close. Go to your local hardware store (NOT LOWES OR HOME DEPOT AS THEY DON"T HAVE IT) and ask the man (or woman) for a 1/4 inch cabinet chisel. With this tool you can hold the stem of the blade between your thumb and forefinger and scrap the hide out from under the burr of the toughest old whitetail so easily you'll be shocked. Keep it SHARP. It will work exceptionally well on aoudads and sheep or on Africrap like the buffalo and the kudu where the base of the horn mates up to fleshy cartilage as well. I used a "Buck" chisel for over 50 years and it was about half as long when I finished as it was when I bought it. Kept an edge well and worked on the toughest of hides.
     
    Kate Lacour, MixedupMel, crs and 12 others like this.
  2. drwalleye

    drwalleye Active Member

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    im going to get one this weekend and give it a try Thanks
     
    MixedupMel likes this.

  3. AZ~Rich

    AZ~Rich " Africa" never fails to satisfy

    69471_W3.jpg You can find an inexpensive set at Harbor Freight for 7.99
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2019
  4. pir^2h

    pir^2h Retrievers give you the bird

    Great suggestion George!
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  5. Tanglewood Taxidermy

    Tanglewood Taxidermy Well-Known Member

    Been using one for years.
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  6. 13 point

    13 point Well-Known Member

    Sorry not a fan of chisel on deer , elk and such nothing sharp as it can cut the burr hide ( my experience) I still like a big wide short screw driver , I don’t pry with it as like you said , you could put it thru your hand , not good , instead I have a small hammer and after my cut over to burr I tap that SD walking it all way round burr from both directions, no fuss no cuts no issues, fast and efficient. But that’s what works for me
     
    Paul D and Micah Howards like this.
  7. George

    George The older I get, the better I was.

    REALLY? Now I've heard a lot of lame assed excuses, but that one has to be close to the top. A chisel CUTS, a screwdriver TEARS. Anytime it takes two tools to do what one would do efficiently, there's a wasted effort involved. I used a cabinet screwdriver for over 50 years and I can never recall "cutting" a burr hide at any point that I didn't intend to be cut.
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  8. 13 point

    13 point Well-Known Member

    Since you want to go at it like that ( lame excuse ) two can play that . I feel your chisel is BS . You come across on here like if everyone don’t do it your way then there an idiot . Just because you’ve been doing things wrong for 50 years don’t try to push your way down our throats , I’m pretty sure I said what works for me . Just like how or what you use to cut a deer rack off , it works for you , I think it’s not needed in any way and is a waste of time to make and use , but I didn’t jump down your throat about it like you do everyone that doesn’t agree with you . Anytime you want to bring your chisel and a couple deer heads over I’ll show you how to use the SDriver the right way , since you couldn’t figure it out before you retired. I’ve always tried to respect your noledge but you come across 95% of the time as a grumpy old KEYBOARD BULLY . Maybe you should respect others noledge instead of thinking your so much better and alway right , maybe then you’ll get the respect your looking for . Instead of going off on someone that doesn’t do it your way go have some milk and cookies and just chill .
     
  9. Dave York

    Dave York Well-Known Member

    4,461
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    I have an old chisels that’s shaped like “(“ that I use.
    My brother makes custom knives and recently made a tool for a friend to do the job. I haven’t seen it yet but it’s supposed to work well.
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  10. Paul D

    Paul D Member

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    Don't sweat it 13 point, pretty typical asinine response from GR. The truth is, whatever works best for you is best.
     
  11. drob

    drob Well-Known Member

    George is a little rough around the edges,but He helps more than He hurts!!!
     
    pir^2h likes this.
  12. 13 point

    13 point Well-Known Member

    I’m good but I believe he thinks the G in George means God , that’s what we should start calling him , God the great one . Na cause it sure in hell ain’t true .
     
  13. George

    George The older I get, the better I was.

    13Point, you're already playing with an odd number. This is the BEGINNERS Forum and because you don't appreciate the advice, you're actually intruding to begin with. My mother said hard heads make soft asses. I have both and I'm no Bully unless it intimidates YOU. Start your own post and give them more of those lame assed logic answers and see if they'll survive 60 years in this business. I was an aircraft mechanic for 30 years in there and I've forgotten more about screwdrivers than you'll ever know to begin with. Using a DULL tool in any variation is just plain dumb in this business. You bring your ass over here with one of YOUR deer hides and I'll show you how I can do two without a single tear in the time you do one with your hammer and screwdriver approach. I repeat, this is for BEGINNERS and not ego seeking "experts".

    OH, and Paul, just so you don't feel left out, I see the only time you ever show up around here is to ridicule someone else's advice. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
     
  14. Micah Howards

    Micah Howards Active Member

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    I just use a knife!! lol.:D
     
  15. George

    George The older I get, the better I was.

    Rich, the only reason I suggested the cabinet chisel rather than the commercial ones you posted was because it usually has a much longer blade. Those you showed will certainly work well, you just have to get a bit closer.
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  16. George

    George The older I get, the better I was.

    Micah, that works but usually you tend to leave a thin sliver of cartilage up under the burr. When you go to mount the hide, you'll either have to eventually clear that out or you stand a chance of the hide not cinching up under the burr
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  17. Micah Howards

    Micah Howards Active Member

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    Yeah I agree with that, I will try the chisel next time, I know my brothers have used the screwdriver in the past and didn't like that so I have just used a knife.
     
    MixedupMel likes this.
  18. 13 point

    13 point Well-Known Member

    Bla bla bla yes I know it’s the begginers and is why I gave my thoughts and how I do it as another example, I’ve got 35 years in this game/trade most of them full time , your fulling yourself if you don’t think I’ve not tried every way out there , and again said WHAT WORKS FOR ME . And you just proved my point , you can’t handle criticism so you go off on Paul, it must be hard being as great as you think you are , Mr No It All , apparently you can’t handle others opinions so you have to type all tuff and call names cause they don’t agree with you , I use to respect you and the things you had to say , but after seeing most your post and how you basically talk down to everyone, I’ve lost every bit of respect I did have . So believe me , I’ll post where I feel I can help and at the same time stay away from your threads and your childish comments as you belittle other that don’t agree with you as you try and build your own self pride , like I said , Key Board Bully . Such a waste of noledge. Sad I tell you just sad . So all you beginners out there make sure you do it Gods way I mean George’s way or he will tell you don’t let the door hit ya and call you an idiot
     
  19. swampfox2

    swampfox2 Well-Known Member

    Merry Christmas guys !
     
  20. Ron B

    Ron B Life Sucks.....Then comes the death roll!!!!

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    I just use the same scalpel I am caping with! Because I will be dammed if I am going to waste even more time looking for a second tool that I cant remember where I just laid it!