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Beaver tail handle wrap

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GregB:
I've used beaver tails a couple of times for bow handles. They were already dried and salted when I got them. I washed the salt off and wet the tails same as I would leather prior to putting them on. I used kangaroo lacing at the top, bottom, and front of the handle...have to be careful not to pull the lacing too tight as the holes will tear out fairly easy.

I won BOM with one bow (Dogwood Blossom) was the name of the bow. I think it was 2009 when it was listed.

nativenoobowyer86:
Thanks alot GregB!  Thats pretty much what i am going for :D Beaver tail with kangeroo lacing, a truly unique handle, very nice work!  Does the moist tail shrink very much when its drying on the handle?? im worried ill stitch is tightish and itll shrink enough to tear the skin.

GregB:
It did not shrink very much...I also put a light coat of TBII on the handle area as part of the process which I think would keep the grip from moving much if it shrunk. I had already completed the lacing around the top and bottom of the grip, and had the front loosely laced to slide onto the limb from the end. I also after the lacing is tightened on the front, I wrap the grip tightly with something that won't leave impressions after the leather drys. I tore an old bed sheet into a long strip about 1-1/2" wide and wrapped with that letting the grip dry at least overnight.

Bighornangler:
 :) A friend of mine has acquired some Beaver tails which he fleshed out and put Borax on them. He says that they are stiff as a board. What would be the best way to soften them before using them on bow handles?

Cameroo:

--- Quote from: Bighornangler on February 25, 2011, 02:28:16 pm --- :) A friend of mine has acquired some Beaver tails which he fleshed out and put Borax on them. He says that they are stiff as a board. What would be the best way to soften them before using them on bow handles?

--- End quote ---

A soak in warm water softens them right up.  You're lucky your buddy did the hard part for you.  Removing that layer of fat without cutting through the skin is not very fun :)

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