heard of it, never seen or tried it. leehop had it pretty much right. just remember you're not racing anybody so you can take your time. when i first started out i had trouble behind the front legs, and i still have to go slow around the head so i don't end up with a "starry eyed" pelt. for a tail stripping tool you can take apart a spring loaded clothes pin and use the two halves. for slitting the tail some kind of guide is helpful, like an umbrella stave or something else that is thin and flat. keeps you from gettinga crooked, spiral looking cut in the tail