How sharp of an edge is best for otter? Razor, dull butcher, butter knife? Thanks.

Sharp but slow

Do you mean use a sharp knife slowly?

Yes.Take your time.The flesh on a otter is hard and tough.

Yep, I've done 3 in 3 years, far from an expert. I cut the tail a bit on last year's (salvageable), want to avoid that at all costs.

I'll start nice and gentle with a good edge on the knife. Thanks.

After a few...you learn where to go fast and where to go slow.

Sorta like women.

Back of neck is the only tough part on a prime fat otter.Can easily push off the rest.Tail can be difficult for a beginner because it doesnt lay flat on the beam.If you score the two beads of fat that run down each side of the tail so it lays flat you can scrape/shave it with the fleshing knife or a skinning knife..
Now an early caught otter with no fat under the saddle is tough.
Some trappers clean skin prime otter like beaver,and the Cree women clean skin otter with a bone.

When you get to the tail try a beaver knife and roll the tail fat out-works great for me.But like everyone stated-sharp beaming knife and go slow rather than fast

Thank you for all the tips guys, I will be fleshing it this afternoon. Slow and easy, I feel comfortable with the body, it's the tail that I want to get right. My first two were fine, when I cut the tail on my third I was upset with myself. I am pretty sure I cut it when I tried fleshing from the edge in, not the center out.
Regardless of the outcome, I will try to post pictures when I get it boarded.

Well, got it fleshed and boarded. I started with my freshly sharpened knife and promptly put a small hole (pencil size) in the bottom of the neck. Switched to a different knife, more of a square edge then a knife edge and things went smooth from there on out.

Very nice job on the otter,Snow.Nice and clean.

Nice job

Good job you did!

Looks great.

Looks good. Did one today also. Getting better but the tail is the worst for me and I did better with the one today then the last one.

I forced myself to just take the tail slow and not force it. Thats how I mangled a tail last year.

Thanks for all the help guys.