What is your prefered method for making dubbing when starting with a pelt? How do you like to #1 remove the hair from the pelt and #2 how do you like to mix it for an even consistency of color?
For hare’s mask dubbing, for example, I use a “rake” that my friend Dale made out of a short section of hacksaw blade welded to a handle. This removes the hair from the skin very nicely. I normally don’t mix the hairs mask, but if you so choose, I would recommend using a coffee grinder. There is also an “air can” method of mixing dubbing that involves a plastic bag which sounds easy enough…but I haven’t personally tried that.
Being totally afraid of sharp things (hacksaw) or hot things (welding) … I bought a little rake, designed specifically for removing hair from a pelt. Think it was about three bucks … far less expensive than a trip to the ER!!!
Or, I’ll just cut it from the skin with scissors and roll it round in the palm of my hand to mix other materials in.
Betty , where could I find the rake? For three bucks it sound like it would be worth a try.
from one of our sponsers
http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/OF-900480-0000/82000/Terra-Dubbing-Rake-and-Teaser.html
I use a rake for under fur. If I want a blend of both then I use a scissors. Sometimes I hand blend it and others I use a coffee grinder.
Thanks for the link , I order from them quite often and had not seen that tool.
I use an old beard trimmer, takes it off right at the skin, mix it in a coffee mill or by hand depending on amount I need. (look for an old one at garage sales) I am going to have to make myself a rake one of these days.
Eric
For rabbit or muskrat I use an old A.K. Best suggestion and cut a small (2" x 3") section off the pelt and then pluck the longer guard hairs out; takes about a minute and leaves the underfur still attached to the skin. You can either then leave it as is and pull off what you need, cut it off and bag it by itself or mix with other fur.
Regards,
Scott
Just not methodical enough, I guess. I just leave it on the skin until I need it, then cut what I need for what I’m tying with scissors, and mix by hand. Any extra goes in a labelled ziplock.
Eric-WD , I was thinking of using an old beard trimmer. Do you shave it and then just pick out the guard hairs depending on the type of mix your looking for?
I use and old surgical instrument called a Volkman Retractor that I got at the local Army/Navy store for 99 cents. It’s made from stainless steel and looks like a small rake with four sharp curved prongs. Two or three strokes through the pelt and I have enought dubbing to start the mixing process. I use a coffee grinder to mix my dubbing and store it in flat multi-compartment boxes from Hobby Lobby. If you have an Army/Navy store in your neighborhood, you should drop in once in a while and you’ll be surprized what you’ll find that is useful at the fky tying bench.
Jim Smith
yes I remove the guard hairs when necessary, I also use it for trimming deer hair bugs
Eric