I am pretty sure this was used to scrape the hair off skins. It has a bulb that fits so comfortably in the hand. Anybody else find scrapers this shape? It is very sharp and would take my hair off.
Thanks old digger, this one is smooth and would have incredible force pulling down. Are there more like this? A bulb on one side flat on the other with a good worked edge?
I would assume that how good of a skinner you were, the object of the final result of a nicely fleshed hide would depend on how well the hide was fleshed. You would need a tool that had a sharp edge and be comfortable in the hand to do the job. Your item looks like it would do the job. You got to remember that after much use the stone needs to be reworked or another rock was fashioned and used. Sometimes you can find many examples near and around a camp or processing site.
It sure seems like a good tool to use for preparing a skin. I have a couple friends that hunt, and I pass lots on the road. I am tempted to try it for myself. Here are a few more knifes, (I think) from the summer. The little one may have been attached to something. Thank you for discussing this further!!!