I've been using the bright orange plastic tail zipper for a while. Some day its gonna break, and I need to have a backup. At the WI convention, I remember someone having the same style but in aluminum. Can't find one searching the web.

Any leads?

Thanks.

Added: this is what I am looking for, in aluminum.

If you can't find one a utility knife with a hooked blade works great

Wiebe makes a folding tail zipper that’s looks like a winner.

Gerber vital zip might work I think it has a replaceable blade

F&T has the plastic ones like that 3.50 each when you buy 2

I really like this , I don't do a lot of tail splitting but everything fur I cut with it seems to work well
https://www.wiebeknives.com/collect...s/wiebe-zipper-knife?variant=21179347201
they have the best geometry of a hook blade I have found for cutting fur

if you had an issue getting strait cuts , maybe toss a tail splitting guide in
https://fntpost.com/product/tail-slitting-guide

F&T also sells the Wiebe knife and replacement blades
https://fntpost.com/product/wiebe-pelt-zipper

I couldn't find any in aluminum, If I could I'd probably buy some. The plastic ones are available from most trapping supply places, even Amazon has them. At $4.00-$6.00 it's cheap to keep a few spares although I never had one break.

I zipped probably 400 fox with my first one before it got dull to the point here it wasn't make a clean cut any more.

I have one of the Wiebe folding zippers and I really like it. I've used it to zip open deer and antelope too.

I looked at those after LD posted about them, and somehow one ended up in an online shopping cart and on its way here. Strange how that happens sometimes.

^^^ I think that may very well be how I ended up with mine. The power of suggestion can be hard to overcome at times.

just know that once you are hooked you are only going to like the Wiebe hook blades , I have tried a couple form hardware stores , they just are not the same geometry.

I ordered a pack of replacements also. Firm believer in OEM parts.

When I was doing coons I used a tail splitting guide and a hooked utility blade, quick and straight every time...

Great Tip

This thing is for after the critter has been pelted?

Yes, used to split the tail open after pulling the bone out. Can use it after completely pelted, or as soon as you pull the tail bone. Once the bone is out, insert the pointy end and split the tail down to the tip.

if you do it right after you pull the tail bone , the coon holds its tail in place for you freeing up a hand to pull the tail strait without having to figure a way to clamp the hide although I am sure the fleshing board would hold it also
it is right in front of you when the coon holds it

This works good.

I have a hard time with these, I have to use a knife or else I make a crooked cut. But, are you concerned with the handle wearing out, or the blade? If the latter, just get a cheap one.

After removing the tail bone, I just use a fillet knife.