Hello, I don't actually have a fleshing knife and was wondering if anybody has done any good with something else or if it's even possible to do with something else? I'm needing to flesh a few skunks here soon lol.

I used a couple draw knives for a number of years.

I know some people use a beaver knife and flesh like clean skinning a beaver right on the stretcher. Never tried myself.

What is prohibitive to obtaining one?

I use a couple dexter russel skinning knives. I flesh over my knee or leg, much like some do beaver. I’ve never had a fleshing beam or fleshing knife. It’s just how I was taught.

Like the guy in the video, he starts fleshing about 6 minutes in.

Butter knife, paint scraper, credit card, where there’s a will I want to be in it.

If you have to you can do this:

Yes if you are careful you can flesh with just a good curve blade knife. Many years ago I sold most everything I caught green except fox and rats. They were easily fleshed with nothing more than a spoon. But I caught two nice small raccoons in my yard at kinda of an odd time in season for me. So thought maybe I should try fleshing them seen as I never had before. I wasn't going to buy a fleshing knife for two coon. So I used the beaver knife I already had pretty much fleshed them like I did the few beaver I fleshed. Put them each on a wire fox stretcher I bent out wider. That was back in late 70s and them two small December coon fetched me $30 each. Probably only get buck or two if that now. Anyways if you pull the hide tight over something flat. You can probably widdle it clean. I've always been pretty good with a knife though. If you're not used to working with something like that you may end up with nothing but mess.
So unless it you first fur and you looking to save it. Now with fur having little value. Good a time as any to give it a try. See if you can do it.
If you plan to keep fleshing things. Just spend the money get half way decent fleshing knife and beam learn it the easy way.
My first fleshing knife I bought was crap just not sharp enough only good to push fat off a rats. I did flesh a pile of coon with a fleshing knife I made from a lawn mower blade. Back in 1990 something I watched Greg Schroeder flesh a coon with a Necker knife. Went bought me one and have used it every since. Mower blade and the other things hanging on nail in garage.
So anyways like said. Unless you got a reason don't want mess them up. Pull hide tight see can you shave it clean.Good of time as any money wise to play with things.

Mac

Natives fleshed bison and never had a Necker 600 . Gotta want it.

Lol LIKE!

I'm 16 and can't buy one myself...

Might want to put one on your Christmas list!
A good fleshing knife is not all that expensive and is something you can use for decades.

One of these and 100 pack of razor blades will set you back less than $10.
I've fleshed hides with it before, and thinned for taxidermy as well.




Old draw knife, ask around, farm sales, etc

Sharpened shin bone from a deer.

Thought it was only in Canada you had to be 21 to buy sharp instruments....
Sorry that one was for my friend Boco

I fleshed with an axe for years, that is what grandpa used and my dad still uses. Went to a fleshing knife a few years ago. I scrape clean skinned beaver with an ice cream spoon (the flat kind, not the scoops that bring out a round scoop) to get the milk fat out of the hide. I think it would work on a skunk also.

Main thing is make sure whatever your fleshing implement is that it has no burrs or nicks that will catch, and make sure the fur doesn't have any burrs in it either or you will tear a hole there.

A friend of mine uses a power washer. Plenty of videos on YouTube.

Yes they did and them folks had some pretty sharp piece of rock for some of that stuff they did too. Told they used their teeth break some that leather too. Bet that was taste had to aquire lmao.
I like boco's bone idea I'm kinda person might try something like that just because.
One of the advantages of being ADD.. always moving on... Squirrel???

The kid could probably flesh his skunk with broke pop bottle if had the finesse.?? He didn't say where or how he lives. If he is on a farm got to be something there to use. Heck Maybe.kid needs see can get hold of or make Ulu. Pretty sure I could flesh a skunk with my moosetrot made Ulu. Or sharpen his mother's best metal spatula.
Like you said gotta want it.


Mac

Draw knife, Blade from a sickle, machete, Lots of stuff out there......jk