gibby Posted May 10, 2010 Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 I've taken the brush off my latest fox. Do I need to take the bone out? If so, any tips? I've got the end soaking in salt at the moment, what else do I do to treat it? Regards Gibby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted May 10, 2010 Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 I've taken the brush off my latest fox. Do I need to take the bone out? If so, any tips?I've got the end soaking in salt at the moment, what else do I do to treat it? Regards Gibby We used to take the fox brushes of and we used this method; it is not easy and takes a bit of practice. Basically we cut round the base of the tail, then got 2 short sticks, placed 1 on either side of the tail and pulled the tail off. It can be quite tough to do but it means you have no slice marks down the middle of the brush. To answer your question; yes you will need to take the bone out and I cure mammal skins in a mixture of table salt, borax, alum and tap water. However, simple salting may work as there is little fat in the tail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulpicide Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Quick way to remove brush cut round base of tail just the skin not the bone put a loop in a rope dog lead loop it over tail place in the cut pull tight place foot on hindquarters of fox and pull rope up in one swift movement the tail will come off clean leaving the bone on the carcasse . When you get home get plastic tube off a bic pen push it down inside the tail to the bottom get ordinary table salt and pour down tube gradually easing tube out till tail is full of salt leave in cool dry place for approx one month shake out the salt. After using this method I've used the same fox brush for 5 years in terrier racing displays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibby Posted May 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Thanks for the replies gents. Will give that a go this morning. Regards Gibby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camokid Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 think i will give it go aswell next time i got a good one.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 as above - bit late for you now. get a length of bailing twine and tie that round instead of sticks, much easier, then just pull (once you've cut round) and pop, it comes off minus bone/flesh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Snowdonia Taxidermy Supplies sell tanning powder that you mix with water. I just soak the tail for 24 hours, and it comes out perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibby Posted May 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Thanks for the name Steve, have just ordered a fox brush handle. Gibby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albob Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 always best to cut through the fur and not into the bone or you end up with another job to do. i use the stick method but,the guy i was with,cut into the bone and made it awkward,so he had the happy task of removing the bone from the tail. al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 always best to cut through the fur and not into the bone or you end up with another job to do.i use the stick method but,the guy i was with,cut into the bone and made it awkward,so he had the happy task of removing the bone from the tail. al Its not easy the first couple of times you do it with sticks, but you soon get the hang of it. Out of interest do many of you keep a lot of the brushes? What do you do with them? We used to keep quite a few but then they just cluttered the place up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 If I take a tail off with the bone, I just cut about an inch from the end of the tail, peel back the fur, and put the bone into a vice. A gentle pull then removes the fur. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albob Posted May 11, 2010 Report Share Posted May 11, 2010 Its not easy the first couple of times you do it with sticks, but you soon get the hang of it. Out of interest do many of you keep a lot of the brushes? What do you do with them? We used to keep quite a few but then they just cluttered the place up. mate keeps all brushes,no idea if he has a fetish though. al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted May 12, 2010 Report Share Posted May 12, 2010 Its not easy the first couple of times you do it with sticks, but you soon get the hang of it. Out of interest do many of you keep a lot of the brushes? What do you do with them? We used to keep quite a few but then they just cluttered the place up. I keep a few hanging in my shed. I also give some away to those who want them. I sent one once to a person in the USA, who wanted one. He very kindly returned the favour by sending me a Coyote tail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbo33 Posted May 12, 2010 Report Share Posted May 12, 2010 Its not easy the first couple of times you do it with sticks, but you soon get the hang of it. Out of interest do many of you keep a lot of the brushes? What do you do with them? We used to keep quite a few but then they just cluttered the place up. Take a look at that well known auction site. I think you might just have found a way to cope with the rise in catridge/shell prices :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted May 12, 2010 Report Share Posted May 12, 2010 (edited) . Edited May 12, 2010 by nickbeardo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gibby Posted May 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2010 Eventually managed to get the thing done. The brush was already off the fox so a bit less to pull on. Cut it back an inch or so to start with and tried the tugging technique... I'd like to see you guys who can do it in one swift pull. So I was carefully peeling it back and slicing at the same time for 15 minutes before giving it another attempt. Must have hit the soft spot as it then all came off in one. As you say, learning curve, and I'm sure it'll get quicker and quicker. Thanks for the help once again. Gibby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albob Posted May 12, 2010 Report Share Posted May 12, 2010 Take a look at that well known auction site. I think you might just have found a way to cope with the rise in catridge/shell prices al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted May 13, 2010 Report Share Posted May 13, 2010 Cheers for the info on saving them gents. to take them off i just use a knife and thumbs. cut around tail with sharp knife but do not cut the bone. put foot on head and hold tail near the cut and pull lightly so the skin starts to roll, then take tip of knife and gentle slices between skin and bone. you know when your doing it right as it rolls back with ease. go back a couple of inches and then just but thumbs eitherside in between the bone and skin and pull with thumbs. it will just slide right off. i will try the string next time as i want to start keeping them as people are asking for them. thanks Phil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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