Fish-skinning tool

A hand-manipulated tool for skinning a fish body or the like comprising a blade-supporting cutting unit and an elongated handle assembly projecting from one side thereof, said cutting unit comprising a blade mandrel having a mandrel drive shaft rotatably supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said blade mandrel having removably secured therein a plurality of radially outwardly projecting continuous, linear knife blades each presenting a sharp cutting edge which terminates in a curved segment so as to function as a skinning blade, each said blade being offset from 2.degree. to about 10.degree. from said longitudinal axis, and having from about 10.degree.-20.degree. lead and 50.degree.-70.degree. rake, so that said sharp cutting edges when rotated, define a generally cylindrical cutting zone in which skin is cut away from flesh, a guide shoe removably disposed under said blade mandrel said guide shoe having an opening through which said sharp cutting edges adjustably protrude to cut skin away from flesh, said guide shoe having a generally planar surface for contact with said body, a guard enclosing said blade mandrel, said guard cooperating with said guide shoe to provide a confined zone from which cut skin may be discharged, and drive means for rotating said blade mandrel.