Abstract: A dehider tool has first and second blades arranged in contact with each other that rotate in opposite directions on a common blade axis. A drive assembly having a pneumatic motor and respective drive belts drives the blades in opposite directions about the common blade axis. The blades each have an outer cutting edge in the shape of a regular convex polygon, such as a decagon. The blades have an inner opening for coupling with a blade holder of the drive assembly. The inner opening has the shape of a regular convex polygon, such as a pentagon. The blades are covered with a hard surface coating to extend their service life.

Abstract: A blade support structure for a rotary knife blade includes a lower blade-engaging ring and an upper mounting section, the lower blade-engaging ring including a circumferential blade support channel operative to releasably rotatably secure and support a toroidal rotary knife therein. The blade support channel is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, vinyl, and polyethylene terephthalate when the upper blade holder engagement section of the toroidal rotary knife is constructed of metal, and the blade support channel is constructed of metal when the upper blade holder engagement section of a toroidal rotary knife is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, vinyl, and polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: In combination, a toroidal rotary knife blade having a sharpened circular lower edge and an upper blade holder engagement section and a blade holder for the toroidal rotary knife blade. The blade holder includes a generally toroidal blade holding ring having an upper gear-engaging section including a plurality of gear teeth formed thereon for intermeshing with a drive gear and a lower blade engagement and retention section adapted to receive and retain the toroidal rotary knife blade therein. The blade holding ring is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, vinyl, and polyethylene terephthalate. Finally, the generally toroidal blade holding ring is operative to reduce noise and vibration emitted therefrom during rotation of the generally toroidal blade holding ring by a drive gear due to the use of plastic construction materials.

Abstract: In combination, a toroidal rotary knife blade having a sharpened circular lower edge and an upper blade holder engagement section and a blade holder for the toroidal rotary knife blade. The blade holder includes a generally toroidal blade holding ring having an upper gear-engaging section including a plurality of gear teeth formed thereon for intermeshing with a drive gear and a lower blade engagement and retention section adapted to receive and retain the toroidal rotary knife blade therein. The blade holding ring is constructed of material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, vinyl, and polyethylene terephthalate. Finally, the generally toroidal blade holding ring is operative to reduce noise and vibration emitted therefrom during rotation of the generally toroidal blade holding ring by a drive gear due to the use of plastic construction materials.

Abstract: A sharpening apparatus for a rotary knife blade includes a sharpening material support base and at least one lower sharpening device such as a metal pin mounted on the sharpening material support base. At least one upper sharpening device is mounted on the sharpening material support base, the upper sharpening device extending at an acute angle upwards above and relative to the lower sharpening device. The upper and lower sharpening devices are disposed relative to one another to generally simultaneously engage upper and lower surfaces of a blade to be sharpened and a guide device such as a curved wall structure is operative to releasably guide a blade between the upper and lower sharpening devices to assist with sharpening of a blade.

Abstract: A boning and defatting knife includes a blade support unit including a handle, a blade support ring connected to and extending from the handle and a drive shaft mounted on at least one of the handle and the blade support ring. The knife further includes a blade unit having a generally toroidal blade engaging and locking device having a drive means engaging section and a releasable fastening and locking section and a generally toroidal blade having an outer locking edge and an inner cutting edge. The releasable fastening and locking section of the blade engaging and locking device is operative to releasably receive and lock the outer locking edge of the blade thereon, whereby the blade is removable and replaceable and the blade unit is adapted to be removably and rotatably seated on the blade support ring with the drive device engaging the drive device engaging section of the blade unit such that the blade unit is rotated within the blade support ring by the drive device.

Abstract: A sharpening apparatus for a rotary knife blade includes a sharpening material support base and at least one lower sharpening device such as a metal pin mounted on the sharpening material support base. At least one upper sharpening device is mounted on the sharpening material support base, the upper sharpening device extending at an acute angle upwards above and relative to the lower sharpening device. The upper and lower sharpening devices are disposed relative to one another to generally simultaneously engage upper and lower surfaces of a blade to be sharpened and a guide device such as a curved wall structure is operative to releasably guide a blade between the upper and lower sharpening devices to assist with sharpening of a blade.

Abstract: A boning and defatting knife includes a blade support unit including a handle, a blade support ring connected to and extending from the handle and a drive shaft mounted on at least one of the handle and the blade support ring. The knife further includes a blade unit having a generally toroidal blade engaging and locking device having a drive means engaging section and a releasable fastening and locking section and a generally toroidal blade having an outer locking edge and an inner cutting edge. The releasable fastening and locking section of the blade engaging and locking device is operative to releasably receive and lock the outer locking edge of the blade thereon, whereby the blade is removable and replaceable and the blade unit is adapted to be removably and rotatably seated on the blade support ring with the drive device engaging the drive device engaging section of the blade unit such that the blade unit is rotated within the blade support ring by the drive device.

Abstract: A boning knife comprising a handle, a circular blade housing, and a circular blade carrier by the housing, wherein the circular blade housing is secured to the handle by setscrew means and by interlocking means and/or the handle has a outwardly flared ridge extending laterally of the rearward terminal end of the handle.