56 



PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



handle, as tlie knife is intended for heavier work. Fig. 13 shows 



a broad strong blade, one inch 

 across, and of an entirely diffe- 

 rent character ; this, which is 

 useful for the rough, large 

 work, to be hereafter men- 

 tioned, has a perforated tang, to 

 which two half rounded pieces 

 of hard wood should be bolted. 

 Length of blade and handle, 

 4in. each. My reason for having 

 all of these handles of polished 

 hard wood is, that blood and 

 dirt will the more easily wash 

 off. All of these knives are 

 best procured at the leather 

 sellers', for the reasons that, 

 first, the shapes drawn are 

 always in stock ; secondly, they 

 are manufactured of the finest 

 and toughest steel ; and third- 

 ly, their expense is trifling. 

 The handles, however, are 

 usually of soft wood, unpolished, 

 and had better be replaced at 

 the turner's. The knives when 

 first purchased are about 4in. 

 long in the blade ; for skinning 

 I think them pleasantest to use 

 when ground or worn down to 

 Sin. or 3^in. ; this, however, is a 

 matter of individual taste. 



I have, since the above was 

 written, found that some dealers 

 in leather and shoemakers' 

 "grindery" sell knives of 

 varied and serviceable patterns 

 — other than those described — • 

 all of which have hard wood 



