Road kill sporran in wating

[tyger]

Yes, that little home-made scraper has a humble appearance and a benign demeanor. It doesn't look like it would do much, but let me say: that thing works like a charm! Lay the hide hair side down on a flat surface. Rake off tissue with a raking motion, and when you build a ridge, lay down the tool pull with your fingers. When tissue clings to the little blade teeth, just pop it off and keep raking.

The biggest 2 problems I have had in fleshing hides is 1) putting an unwanted hole through the hide, and 2) having to work too hard to pull off what needs to be pulled off. All fleshing tools need to be sharp- but not too sharp, and dull- but not too dull. This tool solves both problems.

There are many hide preparation schemes. I salt the hide, wrap it in newspaper, and let it sit 24 hours in the refrigerator, then shake off the salt and re-salt, re-wrap in paper, and let sit 24 hours in the refrigerator. This time/salt/temperature has resulted in better condition hides than any other combination.

[piperdbh]

If you're ever tempted to skin a skunk you find in the highway, don't. And if you do, keep a water hose nearby. And if you get it skinned and discover a little fleshy pouch about the size of a shooter marble located where you think the stink gland should be, don't mash it. And if you do, spray lots of water to dilute the smell. And if you do all this, your neighborhood will smell like skunk for three weeks. Really. And if you get it skinned, then you've got to do something with it. I learned all this back in June. The hard way. It's still in the freezer.

Tyger, I really like that 'possum. Does it still have the tail attached?

[lasrl]

Yes, that little home-made scraper has a humble appearance and a benign demeanor. It doesn't look like it would do much, but let me say: that thing works like a charm! Lay the hide hair side down on a flat surface. Rake off tissue with a raking motion, and when you build a ridge, lay down the tool pull with your fingers. When tissue clings to the little blade teeth, just pop it off and keep raking.

The biggest 2 problems I have had in fleshing hides is 1) putting an unwanted hole through the hide, and 2) having to work too hard to pull off what needs to be pulled off. All fleshing tools need to be sharp- but not too sharp, and dull- but not too dull. This tool solves both problems.

There are many hide preparation schemes. I salt the hide, wrap it in newspaper, and let it sit 24 hours in the refrigerator, then shake off the salt and re-salt, re-wrap in paper, and let sit 24 hours in the refrigerator. This time/salt/temperature has resulted in better condition hides than any other combination.

I'm curious. What are your wife/fiance/girlfriend's, or roommates (if any are applicable) thoughts on having a hide in her fridge for a couple of days? Just wondering about her reaction. I don't think I could get away with that one; maybe if I had a hidden beer fridge in my shed, that might work.

[tyger]

Possum got tail! Though, I am not sure how to deal with that when it comes to the construction phase. I am tempted to lop it off.

Now, when it comes to putting the hide in the refrigerator- or the clothes dryer- you will be encroaching on the woman's domain. There are 2 options: 1) don't do it, or 2) do it.

For me, I just did it. Oh, there was the usual "You arent' going to put THAT in my refrigerator/clothes dryer, are you?" "Of course I am" is the only reasonable reply.

Of course, Carol understands these things a little bit more than most women. During the course of my career as a veterinarian, it has been necessary for me to have a lot of things in the house, and in the refrigerator or freezer. And there have been discussions, and short 'tours', from time to time. So, she has built up some 'immunity', so to speak.

Here is what you need to do: discuss why it is "No problem." For example, say things like "It is just like a shoe, without the chemicals." And, "It is all wrapped up in 3 layers of paper (it has been my experience that multiples are reassuring to most women) and I also put it in a little plastic bag."

You really should not be experiencing further resistance, or a problem, at this point. If you are, then there is a sign that the other party is being unreasonable, and you must take that into account.