In Episode 27, Brandon and Lauren discuss the need to be decisive and aggressive when killing an animal in order to protect its dignity and to show it mercy.  They explain how a sharp knife is critical in making this happen.  Other topics covered are: the intimacy of killing an animal with a knife, how to make the cut and manage the animal as it is dying, collecting blood for blood sausage, working with the animal's nature throughout the kill, and whether a knife or gun is the best tool to use. And finally, for those that have been asking.....information on Brandon's gambrel and where you can purchase your own. Introduction and Announcements: Help us produce four episodes a month by supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/meatsmith. We have upcoming fall classes! Part 1 Show Notes: Christmastide, 1:01 Feasting....Even when you don't like the bacon! 3:10 Fundamental principles of the lead-up to the kill, 40:28 Taking down and subduing a ruminant, 1:09:21 Part 2 Show Notes: Be decisive and aggressive....out of mercy and to preserve the dignity of the animal, 1:00 "Be at the service of the sheep"-  managing your feelings of reticence during the kill, 2:53 The kill, 10:40 Knife or gun?, 11:10 Use a "crazy-sharp knife"! 15:28 How to make the cut, and the need to hold on to the sheep after delivering the kill, 18:38 Collecting blood for blood sausage, 31:48 Snapping the neck and nicking the spinal cord, 32:18 Brandon's gambrel, 38:11 The intimacy of killing an animal with a knife, and honoring the animal's nature throughout the kill, 43:20 Links for Episodes 26 + 27: William Cobbett quote on "sweet sauce of labour":  found here Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=A+Christmas+Carol Captain Fantastic: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=captain+fantastic Winston Churchill quote on pigs: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/winston_churchill_161474 Murray Carter knife sharpening dvd's: https://www.cartercutlery.com/product-category/videos-and-books/  Abraham Lincoln quote on sharpening his axe: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/abraham_lincoln_109275 Super-duty Hog/Beef Gambrel: http://meathookus.com/ "The pigness of the pig" quote by Joel Salatin:  found here Farmstead Meatsmith pork shares:  https://farmsteadmeatsmith.com/pork-shares/ Farmstead Meatsmith memberships:  https://farmsteadmeatsmith.com/membership/ Farmstead Meatsmith Family Pig classes:  https://farmsteadmeatsmith.com/upcoming-classes/