Beaver Tail into grip material...how to?

[ironeye]

Need some advice on skinning & preparing a beaver tail for grip material. Does it need to be salted, dried etc ... Any help would be appreciated. I have a nice 50's style recurve it would look great on.

[Sneakypete]

I tried it once, and couldn't make it work. Skin too thin and "scales" too brittle. Maybe you can do it, but I couldn't, and the trapper friend in AK who sent me the tail has had no luck either. But this was a small beaver. Maybe a bigger one would have thicker skin. The "beavertail" grips Black Widow uses are synthetic. Good luck.

[Shell]

Ironeye, you would want to get the tail tanned either at home (various ways, tandy leather sells small kits) or professionally or just purchase one already tanned.
It makes it much softer and workable versus dried. They are tough even that way but can be moistened while working it over the grip to form.

Here are a few links to see about the process and to purchase, hope this helps.
 http://www.taxidermy.net/forummenus/02/Tan/11.html  
 http://www.chichesterinc.com/BeaverTails.htm

Shell

[AkDan]

I found a couple tails in the freezer the other day, not sure if I kept them or threw them out, if I Have them they are up for grabs, just cover the shippn.

[Eric B.]

I have made a couple.I skinned and fleshed as best I could ( a pain ). I spread a layer of glycerin on the flesh side and added more for several days.It will make them semi-plyable to work with.I then used a stationary belt sander to further thin them,I degreased with laquer thinner and dawn soap and applied with contact cement. Keep in mind though,you can not stretch them at all so be accurate of you cuts.