This part doesn’t want to come off. This is the back of the raccoons neck. I’ve sent them to be tanned like this before and they all turned out okay but I feel like I’m not doing a good job… any suggestions? Does it just stay on??

Use the sharp side of your two handled flesher to shave off that grissely fat between the ears and shoulders.Hold the knife fairly flat to the hide,and use a slicing motion with very little pressure.
Make sure the fur is dry and brush out any matts or burrs in the fur so your sharp knife doesnt make a hole.

My knife has to be really sharp to get them started.

What boco said. And then just keep working at it. You can get pretty aggressive with a coon hide and usually need to to get that off. You'll get the hang of it eventually!

Is this your first attempt at fleshing?

That grissle is a little tough it gets somewhat easier once it's started. I agree with using a really sharp knife.

No but I have very little experience in general. I’ve done a handful of raccoon and a couple beaver in my life. Mink and muskrat are easy. But these grizzly things frustrate me. Getting the fat off towards the bottom is very satisfying and almost relaxing but the neck is rough. Plus the whole thing comes sliding down even if I put a clamp on it

I hold the blade at an angle like this when I shave that gristle off.

Work in the middle of your beam, you will cut a hole real fast if you get over on the edge using the sharp side. Watch the coon creek outdoors YouTube on racoon fur handling. Luckily, there are lots of them and they are not worth anything, so it's a perfect time to practice. Once you figure out the angles and the sideways shave motion it will be easy for you. Just need some practice. Watching the videos will help.

I use scalpel blades on tough spots like that.

Get an apron and lean on the end so it doesn’t go anywhere.

Be patient and make sure you are using a sharp two handled fleshing knife like Boco said.

What fleshing knife are you using? If your not sure post a pic. Some cheap ones aren't sharp at all on the convex side

Dale it is cheap and very old . I don’t even remember where I got it. Wooden handles. I can’t get back in the garage now.
My previous post about wanting a fur shed explains this.
All in all I find it hard to be the trapper I wanna be because of circumstances. But we are gonna get it under control!

Thank you for the drawing!!! I got that technique figured out and it does help!!!!

Necker 600 is worth.. I actually like when the sharp side is slightly dull..

Practice practice practice

And I do have a skinning apron. I think my fleshing beam is at too much of an angle. Like needs to be a little more horizontal.
Trial and error I guess!!!!!

Wood handles with about 1 1/2 wide blade?

If it's the knife I'm thinking of you probably can't get a sharp enough edge on it to be real effective on coon. I have tried. Lol

Yeah I think that’s the one. Looks like I can add another item to my wish list this year!

It will make a world of difference with a good knife. I use a green english. It does the job but it's not the best knife. I'm thinking of ordering a knife from Lee Steinmeyer on here before next season. I have heard his knives are excellent.

Go straight to lee stienemeyer and get a knife from him . I started with a necker 600 then a post 2 and then bought one from lee and never looked back. A good knife makes a big difference along with the school of hard knocks. I learned the hard way like most on this sight but a good knife is my best advice