Fleshing knife-how sharp?

I just picked up a fleshing knife from Canadian Coyote co. It’s dull. Should I sharpen it at all or use it the way it came?

Up up until now I have fleshed a couple coyotes and coons with a piece of lexan attached to a piece of hockey stick, so I know it doesn’t need to be razor sharp. Just wondering what you guys do?

also, the back side is completely rounded. I have seen some knives on you tube appear to have a sharp cutting edge on the back. Is this advantageous or inherently dangerous?

I don't know all that much but I wouldn't sharpen it, I would use it as is.... I guess the idea behind fleshing is to pull/peel, not cut the membrane off, so a sharp blade would most likely cut right through a coyotes thin hide... Use it as is :)

Depends on the type of knife. Some have a razor sharp side to take off tough gristle and a dull side for pushing fat. Some are aluminum, sharp but not razor. Some single sided. If you flesh with the sharp side be careful not to cut the hair roots.

Frank, that was my instinct. I thought I would leave it as is and try it. Can always sharpen as needed. It just seems not a little dull, it is very dull.

Don, this knife is clearly one sided. It’s slightly curved and looks like a wiebe knockoff, the side that has an edge is on the inside of the slight curve. The other side on the outside of the curve is round with no bevel at all.

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Originally Posted by dilly

Frank, that was my instinct. I thought I would leave it as is and try it. Can always sharpen as needed. It just seems not a little dull, it is very dull.

Don, this knife is clearly one sided. It’s slightly curved and looks like a wiebe knockoff, the side that has an edge is on the inside of the slight curve. The other side on the outside of the curve is round with no bevel at all.

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Got a pic of it , I have 2 a full one for pushing fat and my caribou that I keep razor sharp

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Originally Posted by trappermatt

Got a pic of it , I have 2 a full one for pushing fat and my caribou that I keep razor sharp

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https://i.imgur.com/sRMnBT6.jpg?2
Here is what it looks like

https://i.imgur.com/3pkhyqs.jpg?1
This is the edge on the inside of the curve
https://i.imgur.com/aw6CDU4.jpg?1
Another
https://i.imgur.com/beMIgX7.jpg?1
This is the backside. Totally round.

Ask the supplier?

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Originally Posted by rf2

Ask the supplier?

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I thought of that. I am more interested in hearing from those who are using them.

Seems it really ranges between “mine is razor sharp” to “keep it dull”. I may just have to find my own way through trial and error.

My fat pushing knife is just like that , my caribou is razor sharp for coon necks and coyote gristle and for doing beavers , using a sharp knife takes much more practice then pushing fat with a dull one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PhqJdH6uIY

This may help