Was just wondering if any one had tried to frost scrape a raccoon on a stretching board ? I was thinking this might be a good way to thin it down and remove excess grease for home tanning ?
Thanks

Uncle Dave

I never did a coon but did quite a few fat fall blackbears and it works great.
If you are going to tan them it would be easier for you to stretch them open to frost scrape,easpecially if you are just learning the method.
Dont forget you need at least minus 25 c for the method to work.

I never did a coon but did quite a few fat fall blackbears and it works great.
If you are going to tan them it would be easier for you to stretch them open to frost scrape,easpecially if you are just learning the method.If you decide to frostscrape them on a fleshing board it can be done just go very lightly on the edges so you dont damage the skin.
Dont forget you need at least minus 25 c for the method to work.

No need to thin a coon skin for tanning.

I might try this next winter

That's a good idea Boco for stretching open, much easier, like a boarded beaver. We'll get to -25C here but I don't know anymore this year, it's been unusually warm lately. We got down to -27F last week of Dec. here on the river. My plans are based on next years tanning.
Beav - just curious, do you tan your own ? method ?
Thanks for the reply's !

Uncle Dave

I've not tanned any coon. But a coon dosen't have a very thick hide so I'm not sure frost scrapping would help In the tanning process.
Other then the area from the base of the ears down between the shoulders the leather Is pretty thin. And that shoulder and neck area Is pretty easy to shave down with a decent fleshing knife.
But of coarse It can't hurt to try It. Do one with the frost scrapping method and one the regular way and see how they turn out.

Good info Beav - yes that shoulder/neck area is causing me minor problems but I'll get it figured out. I've fleshed many coon over the past 55 years but have never tried to thin the skin so need to make an effort to learn that. I've always just knocked off the flesh/fat scrape off the grease and boarded it for the buyer. Trying different techniques is my way of doing things, being retired I have all the time in the world to experiment. Thanks for the info Beav !

Uncle Dave

I've frost scraped coon at +5f. It doesn't have to be -7f to frost scrape. I do mine on the fleshing beam, but I didn't do any this season due to the warmer than normal temperatures.

I want to see pics of the shavings if you are frostscraping at +5f.
I dont care how sharp your scraper is there is no way the fat meat and skin is hard enough at that temp to shave it off.

I lose all feeling with my Necker when I try and scrap a frozen hide. I will stick to room temperature hides while fleshing.

+5f is -15c.

Not near cold enough for frostscraping.
Need at least minus 25c or the fat is not hard enough to shave.
Even at minus 25c,if the sun is out it will gum up the scraper.

You know its cold enough when your shavings look like this.Like shavings from a planer on a pine board.
comes off very fast with little effort.

That's a very good job Boco, all the way out to the edges too. I bet removing that much at one time makes for a fast job done.
I've seen a few photos/videos of frost scraping beaver at -20C and all were using a stirrup type pelt scraper. Their shavings were about 1/4 the size of yours if not smaller. They were constantly wiping off the sharp edge of the scraper too.
I'm just seeing a little bit of your scraper - is that like a semi-circle blade or an ulu ? That is, if you care to divulge that info..
Thanks for the photo.

Uncle Dave

You can use any of these type of scrapers to frost scrape,my favorite for beaver is second from right.
You get the smaller scrapings when its not cold enough,the skin is too soft.

I like the shape of that one and will be in the shop making one of your "favorite" style of scrapers soon. I have some used smaller saw blades that I think I can configure to that shape. Thanks for the photo/info Boco !

Uncle Dave

That one is worn down quite a bit,if you make one,make it a bit bigger,about 3 inch by 4 inch oval.
It is best to make it from steel that holds an edge pretty good,but can be touched up with a file as you go.Too soft is no good,and too hard takes too much time with a stone to get the edge back.
It is only beveled on the outside -with the edge turned in.

Sounds good - I plan on putting a bevel on it like my other file scrapers I use for deer hides (below). I think my used 7.5" circular saw blades will work ok and there's a hole in the middle already. If it doesn't work well then I'm not out anything. I'll plan on making it the 4" oval you recommend. Thanks for the info !

Uncle Dave