Cuttin Rabbit Skin....and tyin it?

[ACSooner80]

Ok I went to a local bait shop in my area that is a supplier in this area and got a whole rabbit skin and just cut a stripe off of it. And tryin to tyin it on a jig now.

So can ya'll share w/ me how do ya'll cut it if your usin it from a whole skin? Also what is the normal length that most of ya'll use for the tail on your jigs?

Here is a link to a pic of the rabbit tail jig I just made.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...3&id=642377357

Thanks,
AC

[skiptomylu]

I buy mine already cut and have no want to when it comes to cutting my own. I can buy them cut and what ever color I want. Tail length is a personal preference and your choice.

There are a several different ways to use it, with chenille and without. Thread neck, or body of crosscut rabbit.

As I always say, if you want to learn the right way to use some material go to a fly tying board or site like FAOL and look up what ever your looking for. This is how I learned to tie all that I know.

Skip

[Len]

Never made one of the cutters but it looks like it would work.


YouTube - ‪Make Your Own Zonker Strip Cutter‬‎

[skiptomylu]

Man Len I have seen that before, but I take blood thinners for my heart and not going to use one of them things. I can buy whole rabbits already died and cut for under $10 so not risking cutting the heck out of my self with that thing. One mistake and your cut to ribbons, LOL!

Skip

[azslabber]

I think that Len is trying to get all of our fingers cut off,so he is the only one making jigs here,lol.Good video though,if you like rabbit that much.

[skiptomylu]

I think that Len is trying to get all of our fingers cut off,so he is the only one making jigs here,lol.Good video though,if you like rabbit that much.

I saw that tool about a year ago and never had even one thought that I want to do that, LOL! I would much prefer paying for one already died and cut. I just wish they had these whole skins back when I first started buying this stuff so I have a lot of packs with 4' of strips in each. Each pack has 4 strips in them so you don't really save much buying the whole skin, but you do save a little and you have a good supply with the skin.

Skip

[Len]

Yes I totally agree about the finger (ouch!!!!) cutting. That is why I never tried making one. Much prefer to buy them already cut.

[skiptomylu]

Yes I totally agree about the finger (ouch!!!!) cutting. That is why I never tried making one. Much prefer to buy them already cut.

I agree, plus if you count the time you spend dying and cutting them how can it be less? Really most of this unless you just like doing it all by your self is better bought ready to use IMHO!

[MuskyGary]

A cutter like that can also be used to cut tube tails, but be careful! The way I cut rabbit is to flip the hide side up and mark it off with a ruler, then I cut it with a craft knife (single razorblade) Back to the cutter, the distance between blades is deturmined by the number of washers you put between blades. Cutting tubes; don't try to pull it down the tube, set it on the tube and press it down, then pick it up and work the tails free. If the tails stick together you have to pull them apart being careful not to pull them off the tube.

[quivira kid]

I found Hareline "rabbit grab bags" at Cabelas here awhile back. They are all the scrap pieces off what they don't use for zonkers. Still top grade pieces, but off the edge of the hide. Buying these, I get about 10-12 good size pieces in a bag bigger than quart size for about 4 bucks. All different colors!

What I do to cut my own "normal" zonkers is to find the way the hair wants to lay. Put it so all the hair lays back toward you, lay it skin side up, and clamp it to a piece of 1x6 or something similar. Some folks use a clipboard, I use a 1x8 that I found at work and a nice rubber-tipped clamp. Take a box cutter and cut about 3/16-1/4" strips like you would get zonker strips.** ONLY CUT ABOUT 3/4 of the way through the skin, then tear the rest of the way.** That way the hair itself doesn't get cut! That's VERY important!

As far as length of tails on a jig, use your own judgement. My personal opinion on the jig you posted is the tail should be about half that length... But again, that's my opinion.
AC, look at those that I sent ya for length. The 1/16 oz ones I use a strip, the 1/32 oz I cut the hair off the tail.

Zac