Choosing the best fleshing knife is no easy job. Since all the knives have similar features and appearance, differentiating the good ones from the bad is no smooth task for untrained eyes. As you know fleshing knives are a tool that you use to handle fur. It used to quite popular, even though now you don’t see it as much. But they are still by far the handiest equipment to pelt meat membrane and fat off the skin easily.
The distinct features of the fleshing knives are its long body and two handles on each end. Depending on the range of the price you can get a dual or single-edged blade. The double-edged blades are designed with one sharp edge for cutting through and one whole blunt edge for pushing. The two handles on both sides make maneuvering easier than any other knife.
Even so, you’re gonna be amazed at how much variety that the market can offer even within short characteristics. There are many things to consider depending on the manufacturer even pricing. Let me take you on a brief tour covering all the basics that you may need while buying the best fleshing knife.
What are the Best Fleshing Knives?
- Freedom Brand Standard Fleshing Knives
The standard fleshing knives from Freedom might be what you were missing all along while fur handling. The package includes three fleshing knives, all of different sizes and purposes. So it is efficient; you do not have to wield a big knife while scraping smaller animals.
The three fleshing knives are respectively 1×10 inches, 1.5×12 inches, and 2×16 inches. The S sized blade can be used on small animals such as muskrats and minks, while the M size can be used efficiently to clean fox, raccoon, and weasels, etc. The largest one can be used on pretty much everything bigger than raccoons, starting from coyotes, bobcats, beavers, and many more.
The carbon steel blade is curved in shape to provide more momentum. The handles are spacious and offer enough diameters to have a safe and firm grip. However, the knives do not come sharpened, only one blunt edge. You’ll have to sharpen the edge and ready the other edge for pushing fat.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly.
- Comes in a three-piece set.
- Holds edge well.
- Does what is advertised.
- Easy to use – good for beginners.
Cons:
- Does not come with an edge.
- Needs regular maintenance.
- Pete Rickard Men’s Fleshing Knife
If you are looking for a strict no-nonsense fleshing knife, check this 8-inch model out. The Pete Rickard model is designed to work on all kinds of animals, from small to large. Those who are looking to keep a fleshing knife at home can benefit from it.
The 8 inches long blade is made of quality grade tool steel. The sharpness is just right; it can scrape fat off like cheese and doesn’t tear the skin too. But as it is not stainless steel the blade is prone to rust. So you should maintain it accordingly, manually wash it thoroughly after using, and dry before storing.
The price of the model is within an affordable range, and the quality of the product is great too. The wooden handles are also sturdily built and comfortable to hold. The handle has a metal-plated portion, which enhances the stability.
Pros:
- Functional design.
- Versatile – useful on all sized animals.
- Features wooden handle.
- Great for people with large hands.
- Reasonable price.
Cons:
- Rusts if not maintained well.
- Redneck Convent 8in Fleshing Knife
This fleshing knife is a great combination of quality and functionality. You can extract maximum performance for it while putting in comparatively less effort. This double-edged fleshing knife works as a wonder while working on small to medium animals, like muskrats, minks, squirrels, etc.
The blade measures 8 inches in length and 1.5 inches in width, perfect for pelt fats and meats of animals. The blade is constructed of stainless steel, so it resists stains and rusts by default. You won’t have to invest extra time in maintenance. It features dual edge; one is razor-sharp to easily shave off stubborn flesh off the skin, and one blunt to scrape fat. The sharp beveled edge is furnished with gristles to ensure a smooth cutting experience.
The knife works better with a fleshing beam. You’ll notice the fashionable blue handle, which is designed to offer a strong and slip-proof grip. The quillon helps to avoid mishaps.
Pros:
- Super sharp rust-resistant knife.
- Multipurpose durable knife.
- Double-edged; retains shine of blade.
- Low maintenance.
- Gristle furnished edge.
Cons:
- Difficult to use without a fleshing board.
- Necker Fleshing Knife
If you can stretch your budget a bit, then look no more and get a Necker. They are the best in the industry, considering all the perspectives. You get a double-edged knife; the blunt concave beveled edge is to pelt fats.
The dimension of the knife is 1.5×14 inches; you can deal with any kind of animal with it, from a squirrel to a cow. The stainless steel blade is convex ground and offers a sharp edge that can glide through the hardest meat easily. The blade has HRC 55+, so it’s extremely strong and holds the edge better.
The Necker has a knack for fleshing, so if you own one, the work is practically half done due to its functionality. The curvature paves up the speed too. The solid handle makes sure you have a comfortable yet strong grip that won’t slip away.
Pros:
- Constructed of high-end materials.
- Dual edged durable knife.
- Rust and corrosion-proof.
- Applicable to all kinds of furs.
Cons:
- Quite pricey.
- Tricky-sharpening.
- Trapping Standard Fleshing Knife
Trapping presents one of the most sought out fleshing knives in the market. Even though it’s not a beauty to look at, and the quality is mediocre too as it is made to be budget-efficient. But you get a hundred percent of what you paid for, even more!
It measures the standard size of 8 inches; it is ideal for any kind of animal’s fur handling. But due to its size, it’s best to deal with small or medium-sized animals as minks, weasels, raccoons, etc. the material of the blade is carbon-based steel, so you’ll need to take additional care of the knife for it to last longer, regular cleaning and oiling it from time to time does wonder.
The wooden handle with strong metallic bolster stabilizes the stature of the knife. And enhances its strength, so you will not have any problem maintaining grip and pelting through stubborn meat.
Pros:
- Moderately priced.
- Easy-sharpening retains edge well.
- Made from quality materials.
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- Needs to be sharpened before use.
Final Verdict
Fleshing knives can be extremely helpful if you know how to use it. Fleshing knives are mostly used in professional fields, i.e., fur sheds. But hobbyists also keep a collection no less rich, hunters, too. Although, handling fleshing knives can be quite a chore for beginners. So buying the right one suiting your needs and physique is vital too.
In the case of buying the best fleshing knife, comfort and functionality are more important than splurging on the tool. Don’t get me wrong, money has a definite role to play, but not all of it. You can be unsatisfied with a hundred-buck model whereas, a 30 buck knife can check all your boxes. It’s all about prioritizing the right thing and knowing your needs. This article is set to help you on such a matter, where the carefully chosen products will serve you more than your money worth!
FAQ
Q: What is the ideal sharpness for a fleshing knife?
A: A sharp edge is much preferable on the fleshing knife. Because when cleaning meats of larger animal skin, they can be quite stubborn and hard to shave off without a razor-sharp cutting edge. So the sharper the fleshing knife is, the better.
However, fleshing knives are known to be hard to sharpen in general, so there’s that issue too. Double-edged knives are designed with one blunt edge and one sharp. The blunt one is used to puss fat off the fur.
Q: What can I use instead of a fleshing knife?
A: In the industry of fur handling, the fleshing knife is a must so you can minimize the effort and simultaneously extract a larger outcome. A Specialized knife does the job with twice the functionality and agility.
But if you need to handle furs of weasels, minks or muskrats, etc., mall animals then, you can get the job done by butter knives or pelt scrappers, if those are sharp enough. But anything bigger, then you’d have to resort to the fleshing knives.
Q: Do I need a fleshing board to go with my fleshing knife?
A: Fleshing boards are a long and angular wooden board which is not too wide. They are specially manufactured to drape the skins over the beam, to easily scrape the meat or fat off. While useful, they aren’t mandatory. You can choose to work on furs with or without it.
