It all works.... I use an old landscaping spike but have used screwdrivers too.

For thawing I would recommend taking them out of the plastic. Then hang them up in front of fan.

Okay!

The steel does double duty. But skinning them warm is the easiest way to go regardless.

That's a great flick.
I will chop off the front feet so when I'm using my winch, I don't have to use a rod or stick to pull off the front legs. just keep running the winch and the legs come right out of the fur.

I use a x large Phillips screwdriver.

… like others have stated I just use my sharpening steel for those big Tom cats and coyotes (rarely bother skinning the sorry coyote we have here )

.. anything else I just push my thumb through

Ballpeen hammer works great in the neck area and in those arm pits.

Here's what I usually use

My thumb works very well to open a small hole under the foreleg and then I can pull the leg hide down and cut it off. For the bigger males I have a small crow bar I can use if I want to.

Bryce

Forget about all these rods and other tools. Just lop off the front legs and your good to go.

Not everyone sells to the fur market
Some of us sell to the craft trade and I need claws on my critters
More money

I use an antler from a spike buck. The little bit of curve in the antler feels better in the hand to me.

I like the big handled screw driver it’s easier for me grip and I don’t have to worry about dropping my steel and putting a nick in it, if you can find big push rods those work also.

Noted.

I just use whatever rebar trap stake is laying around works good