Hey guys I'm new to trapping and fur handling and I just bought a freedom brand hardwood fleshing beam that is 5x46 inches, I have just been leaning the beam against my leg to flesh and it's super uncomfortable. Any ideas and pictures on how to build a nice fleshing beam stand along with instructions on how to do it would be awesome. And also any reasonably priced fleshing knives would be awesome. Thanks

Check out "Fur Handling" topic threads on this subject, a lots of great examples...

As far as fleshing knives, I like my Wiebe Elite. It's around $60, I think.

I mounted a door hinge on the bottom of my fleshing beam and screwed the hinge onto a post against the way. (How high up the post you screw on the hinge determines the angle of the beam.) Then there is a support stand that also is connected to the bottom of the beam with a cabinet hinge. So, during the off-season I can fold the thing up against the wall and keep it out of the way.

Here's my beam I built to replace my last one, hope this helps. I painted the base with gloss epoxy paint for durability (standing on it) and easy clean up. I made it for easy fold up to be stored against the wall while not in use.

Hinge is the way to go especially if you have limited space.

A word of advice is don't buy the cheapest hinge you will have way to much wobble. Go with an industrial hinge you'll be a lot happy if you do.

Great idea and pics BB Thanks for the post. I'm always looking for a good idea, and that looks slick !!

Get a heavy duty hinge grind off one end of the hinge pin so you can remove It. Mount One half of your hinge to the wall or some other stationary object. Then mount the other end to your beam. I have the beam end mounted about 24" off the floor. This distance will vary with each individual.
You don't have to remove the pin but I found It easier to work with 2 pieces. And when I was done for the season I just pulled the pin and removed my beam and stored It. I also tossed the original pin and replaced It with a longer pin. A large nail works well.


Now most of us have a saw horse some where on the property. I just place the saw horse under the beam. You can keep sliding the horse back and forth until you get the right angle. Once you have achieved the correct angle just a drive a couple of nails through the edges of your beam Into the horse.

The horse system will stabilize your beam better then any other set up.

Thanks! This is and awesome setup. I'm definitely gonna assemble something like this. Thanks

Bolt a 2x4 to a bench, etc. Run a length of pvc over it. Presto, instant beam.

door hinges work good as the pin comes out easily

I think that leg in the middle might be better if vertical. I think in time, the angle it is and the down pressure of fleshing will push the cleat off the beam bottom. Maybe not..
These setups are all kinda experimental in that every one has a different comfort height and angle of push; we aren't all 7'6" tall nor 5'7" tall, we don't all wear the same size shirts.


I put the 2x4 on a hinge board similar to the one above, it worked. I did another that I just rest over a saw horse and jam the 2x4 end under a truck tire, I like this best because the angle is easy to adjust, just move the saw horse.