Sewing fur
#6214678
04/11/18 01:04 PM
04/11/18 01:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,103 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
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OP
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Do fur buyers generally dock much $ for pelts that have a few knife holes, but have been sewed prior to sale?
Last edited by AJE; 04/11/18 01:04 PM.
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Re: Sewing fur
[Re: AJE]
#6223408
04/21/18 09:09 PM
04/21/18 09:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,103 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
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Thanks for the info. I would never send 1 in with big holes, but are you saying it's ok to not sew some small holes?
Last edited by AJE; 04/21/18 09:10 PM.
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Re: Sewing fur
[Re: AJE]
#6223556
04/22/18 01:13 AM
04/22/18 01:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,700 north Idaho
wissmiss
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,700
north Idaho
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If your pelts with good size holes aren't being downgraded, then either the buyer/grader isn't paying attention or you've done a good enough job to fool them into thinking it is an undamaged pelt.
When it comes to the furrier, a hole is a hole is a hole. If he/she ends up paying top price for a group of pelts and half of them turn out to be damaged, they are going to be more cautious in the future about whatntheynhave their broker/buyer pay.
I'm not saying you shouldn't make the effort to clean up around a hole and sew it shut, but you shouldn't expect to receive top dollar for a such a pelt. It is damaged - no matter how well it is sewn.
When it comes to leather out pelts (muskrats, Raccoon, otter, mink) and open pelts (beaver), sewing holes is sort of a waste of time. When it see a muskrat with several bite marks on the back that have been neatly stitched shut, I still grade that muskrat as damaged. I don't pay extra for the time and effort you put into sticking the holes shut.
Obviously a trapper should take pride in presenting well handled pelts. But one of the reasons to sew pelts like coyote or fox is too fool the buyer/grader. IMO
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Re: Sewing fur
[Re: AJE]
#6223610
04/22/18 06:55 AM
04/22/18 06:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,103 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
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For sending to a tannery, I figure a hole (big or small) should be sewed to keep it from breaking open worse during the tanning process. I don't know much about the tools or methods that tanneries use though. I figured fur buyers and auction houses would want it sewed, otherwise I assume someone down the line would have to sew it. I suppose they have professionals they trust that can sew it better than the average person. I'm glad Nancy cleared this up some, because I was wondering why a fur buyer wouldn't dock for a sewn pelt. I can only imagine that hole creates a weak spot whether sewn or not. I mean how could they use it in a garment if it had a hole in it...
Last edited by AJE; 04/22/18 07:16 AM.
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Re: Sewing fur
[Re: AJE]
#6230640
05/01/18 10:53 AM
05/01/18 10:53 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,899 MT (Big Sky Country)
Allan Minear
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Posts: 11,899
MT (Big Sky Country)
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I've either worked for or dealt with quite a few fur buyers, when talking about holds in fox or coyotes and bobcats first remove any bullet burn or red rim around the hole. I've seen where a bullet literally cut/ burned the fur it grazed the side never hitting meat so to speak, this also needs to be cut out and stitched up. I've normally put some borax on the area where I've sewn up a pelt, washing it and brushing afterwards doesn't hurt it to much unless it's a bobcat I never liked washing them. Even spaces between the stitches helps also some turn into a patchwork quilt of sorts to figure out how to make the fur look right again no matter if it was from a rifle or shotgun it will make you shake your head and wonder if you keep after it long enough. Allan
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Re: Sewing fur
[Re: AJE]
#6231041
05/01/18 09:20 PM
05/01/18 09:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 10,103 WI - Wisconsin
AJE
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What does the borax do Allan?
Last edited by AJE; 05/01/18 09:20 PM.
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Re: Sewing fur
[Re: AJE]
#6231161
05/01/18 10:45 PM
05/01/18 10:45 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,899 MT (Big Sky Country)
Allan Minear
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,899
MT (Big Sky Country)
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It just helps take any of the moisture out of the area of the stitches and any bad bacteria that may bring a strong or bad odor a red flag if you will to some fur buyers. I've had customers drop off 30-50 coyotes at a time from them hunting off snowmobiles and they weren't hung by a hind leg in a cool shed or barn, generally they were thrown into a pile and left until I got there or they brought them to me. Stay Safe out there ! Allan
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Re: Sewing fur
[Re: AJE]
#6234480
05/06/18 12:28 PM
05/06/18 12:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 11,205 Armpit, ak
Dirt
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Armpit, ak
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Your job is to fool the grader/buyer. A hole does not make a pelt worth far less than a pelt without a hole to a fur sewer. Just another scheme to get your pelt for less than it is worth. Tanners put more holes in my pelts than I have ever done. It does not really give me heartburn. According to the experts here, wild fur is used primarily as trim. That would mean most are cut into smaller pieces. When cutting patterns, I can work around holes or rubs. Sewing up a hole or cutting out bad spots do not add significant labor to my job as a fur sewer. Unless the pelt is really bad and full of holes, the end user will not take it in the shorts because they bought your pelt as a #1 and it was a slight damaged. 5% or better of your #1 super selects are probably going to come back from the tanner slight damaged to the guy who bought them anyway. Of course, they will blame it on the trapper.
Who is John Galt?
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Re: Sewing fur
[Re: James Peterson]
#6255047
06/06/18 03:47 PM
06/06/18 03:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,794 100 Mile House, BC Can
bctomcat
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Posts: 2,794
100 Mile House, BC Can
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. I don't believe I've ever tryed to cheat any buyers out of any fur that I've ever sent. IMO it's not a matter of trying to cheat the buyer. It's a matter of presentation and obtaining the best possible price for my pelts.
The only constant in trapping is change so keep learning.
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