I caught a small coon but not quite a baby. Fleshing on 7.5" wide pvc pipe with a 12" wieber fleshing knife and I got a 8" super dull knife as well.

First time. I learned a bit from tearing it to shreds in terms of a proper angle and not digging into it. I think the fact that it is younger makes it easier to tear plus I think the board may be too wide? So maybe a small board. I got a ton of 22" diameter sewer pipe so I plan to make up a dozen boards or so so thinking a smaller one for smaller coons.

And I don't plan on buying a fancier knife as I'm financially challenged. I have watched a couple fleshing videos. Thanks for any tips you learned along the way.

Use the dull side of the knife on coons and keep practicing. You watched other people drive for years but you still had to do it yourself to learn how

Did you check for burrs or mud clumps?

Most of the work on a coon is done with the dull side of the knife, just pushing off fat. It looks to me like you're overly aggressive with your knife. Take your time and keep after it and you'll get a feel for exactly how much pressure you need.

Oh my gosh, I totally forgot about this step. I know you are supposed to brush it out heavily.

Thanks so much, totally rookie mistake.



Definitely should not have started with the sharp side, that is for sure. Thanks for the tip.

Yeah don’t use the sharp side unless you absolutely have to. Most of you’re fleshing will be done with the dull side. On coyotes, foxes and bobcat I never use the sharp side. On coon you usually only have to use it on the back of the neck and top of the shoulder area. And you’re not trying to shave most of the fat off, you’re just pushing it off. Dull side down, a little pressure and push.

Clean all the debris out of the fur. Having a burr in a pelt is a sure way to tear a hole while fleshing. Be extra careful around the nipple area. If you catch a nipples wrong it’s gonna tear.

Fleshing is one of those things where you’re just gonna tear up a few hides before you figure out how much pressure to use on what areas, where to use the sharp side, how to use the sharp side, etc. so don’t worry. You’re just on the steep side of the learning curve. We all shredded a few hides in the process of figuring it out.

Put a towel over your beam for a little padding.

inspect your fleshing board occasionally for any knife nicks or roughness. use sandpaper or sander to smooth things out

I got the Wiebe Elite and the dull edge was razor sharp! I used a cheap pvc fleshing knife on my first coon, but that was after doing some beaver and I knew how sharp that knife is. I used an 8” board that narrows at 5he top, sides are rounded a bit.

Caribou knives come that way too. I guess it's to allow you to choose which side you want sharp. You need to dull the side you don't want sharp.

Graham
I've been right were ur at when I first started putting up fur. Very frustrating for me. Just stick with it and you will learn. Hopefully fast than I did.

My wiebe knife was razor sharp on both sides too. I actually “dulled” one side a bit and it worked a lot better.
Jim

Holes look like burrs or clumps of mud in hair. I personally think you beam is too wide. But some like them like that

You definitely need help but I just don't know what kind. I think a first step would be forget about a trapping career.

Don't try to flesh on the sides of your board. That's looks like why the tears on each side. Spin the hide and do it all in the middle of the board.

Get yourself another coon and try again.

We’ll the good news is there’s only one way to go from there, up, next one will be better, sharp side on back of neck, push the rest, goes better if you refrigerate the hide for a day . The fat gets stiffer, good luck.

Keep practicing each one will get better. Some learn to push fat and some learn to cut/shave the fat. The second option will save your back but requires a learning curve. Stay at it! Once you’ve mastered a coon, go catch an otter!

X2

And a great example of why some people don't ask for help around here.