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Post by mikethetrapper on Sept 13, 2012 7:23:32 GMT -5
Ok guys like I said in other posts I am new at trapping and am just trying to get as much information as I can before the seoson starts.I just received my new fleshing knife in the mail and it is very dull.This knife is just the standard two wooden handled fleshing knife and I know that it doesnt supposed to be real sharp,but I am wondering if I should try to sharpen it a little bit.Just wondering what you guys do.Everyone on this forum has been very helpfull and I just wanted to thank you all in advance
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Trapper Jack
life member nysta,alaska trappers assn,nta, foothill trappers
Posts: 523
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Post by Trapper Jack on Sept 13, 2012 15:37:03 GMT -5
You state that you are new to trapping. Welcome. I would wait before you do anything with that fleshing knife. See how it works and see what you are capable of with it. Practice practice practice come season. Fleshing is more pushing the fat and grislte off than anything. A sharp fleshing knife is a dangerous thing. It will cut a hole in a pelt and a hole in you if not familiar with it. My fleshing knives( 2 handled) are not what I would call sharp at all. I have done my fair share of fleshing with mine and don't and won't claim to be a expert. I do have the left 4 inches or so sharpened more than the rest of the knife. I am left handed and thats why the left side is sharpened. I use this on coon and beav gristle, but then again I am experienced with my knives. I wish you the best of luck with your new sport.
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Post by Itrapny on Sept 13, 2012 16:51:38 GMT -5
Depends on the knife you bought. A quality fleshing knife (necker, english, etc.) are designed to be extrmely sharp on one side for shaving the gristle off beaver, otter & coon and have a somewhat duller side that is used for pushing the fat. If you bough a generic $10 fleshing knife and plan to flesh any number of 'coon, beaver, coyotes you'll be wishing you paid a little extra and bought an upgrade.
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Post by oakhilltrappin on Sept 13, 2012 16:55:15 GMT -5
Yup gotta agree...was the first thing we bought with our fur money this year was a Necker 600 to replace our 'El Cheapo model.........get what you pay for, and thats definitely the case with a Fleshing Knife........for what its worth our 'El Cheapo did the job last year, just alot more work
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Post by mole on Sept 18, 2012 13:17:32 GMT -5
El Cheep'o is good real dull for muskrats. At least I think so.
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Post by mikespring on Sept 18, 2012 15:13:27 GMT -5
I use an el cheapo on canines and rats and coon...Never sharpened it...I like it but then again I`m tuff....
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Post by mikespring on Sept 18, 2012 16:58:25 GMT -5
Ps...I can flesh a coyote so fast it would make your head spin...LOL.
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Post by hardwoodcharlie on Sept 19, 2012 6:44:17 GMT -5
The first year I put up fur I fleshed 22 beaver with the elcheapo modle,didn't realize how hard I had been working until I bought a necker. ;D
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