Black Widow is no longer offering beaver tail for their leather grips, and are now using sharkskin. For those of you who have the sharkskin , I was looking for opinions on how you like it.
I don't know about shark skin handle wraps but tanned shark skin is very tough stuff. The commercial tanning process I'm familiar with eliminates the "sandpaper" texture of it and each shark species has a different texture and pattern.
Years ago when I had my leather shop in Savannah a fellow came in with his shark leather briefcase. It was his father's and he used it for 20 years before giving it to his son. It looked like it came right off the shelf when he brought it into our shop.
I just shot in the Tennessee Classic with a friend who just received a new PL with the sharkskin handle wrap. He was very impressed with it, and so was I. If BW has stopped using beaver tail, I believe that must be because they believe the shark skin is superior enough to warrant doing that. My friend thought it might be because it was hard to get beaver tail, but I find that hard to believe as beaver is still considered to be a pest here in the Northern California rice paddies and duck ponds.
Quote from: McDave on May 13, 2025, 08:35:34 AM
I just shot in the Tennessee Classic with a friend who just received a new PL with the sharkskin handle wrap. He was very impressed with it, and so was I. If BW has stopped using beaver tail, I believe that must be because they believe the shark skin is superior enough to warrant doing that. My friend thought it might be because it was hard to get beaver tail, but I find that hard to believe as beaver is still considered to be a pest here in the Northern California rice paddies and duck ponds.
They stopped offering it because of their supplier had retired. That's what I have coming is 2 PLXs
I have shark skin on a 2pc Whistler I got last year. I do like it. Very tough stuff. Has a different feel than the beaver tail and you will notice that instantly when you wrap your hand around the grip. It has a good texture with a noticeable very mild sand paper-ish feel ( very minor, like 2000 grit wet paper!) It also has a hard or rigid type of feel compared to beaver. Seems like it would wear like iron. I do like the shark skin. That being said, I like the feel of the beaver tail better. Shark skin would be the second best option for me if I had the choice.
Quote from: LookMomNoSights on May 13, 2025, 09:17:48 AM
I have shark skin on a 2pc Whistler I got last year. I do like it. Very tough stuff. Has a different feel than the beaver tail and you will notice that instantly when you wrap your hand around the grip. It has a good texture with a noticeable very mild sand paper-ish feel ( very minor, like 2000 grit wet paper!) It also has a hard or rigid type of feel compared to beaver. Seems like it would wear like iron. I do like the shark skin. That being said, I like the feel of the beaver tail better. Shark skin would be the second best option for me if I had the choice.
That is definitely a concern of mine. I have Beavertail on all my Bows, this will be the first for me.
I believe they told me beaver tail is hard to get now and so are using sharkskin. I have it on a PSR and prefer it both in looks and feel to beaver.
Here's a handle wrap I recently did with some shark and a beaver tail arrow pass. It aughta give a bit of visual comparison. I prefer using the shark over beaver tail for a grip. It's quite tough but still flexible and more cushiony. The texture gives good grip without being rough. With being tougher, stretchy, and a good bit thicker, it's much easier to stitch or lace on without tearing compared to beaver tail. Though it adds a lot of bulk to the grip being so much thicker. I hope this helps out with the comparison some.
Kyle
Quote from: Mo_coon-catcher on May 14, 2025, 07:45:32 AM
Here's a handle wrap I recently did with some shark and a beaver tail arrow pass. It aughta give a bit of visual comparison. I prefer using the shark over beaver tail for a grip. It's quite tough but still flexible and more cushiony. The texture gives good grip without being rough. With being tougher, stretchy, and a good bit thicker, it's much easier to stitch or lace on without tearing compared to beaver tail. Though it adds a lot of bulk to the grip being so much thicker. I hope this helps out with the comparison some.
Kyle
That is helpful thank you. Also, I thank everyone who gave their opinions on this topic :clapper:
Quote from: Mo_coon-catcher on May 14, 2025, 07:45:32 AM
Here's a handle wrap I recently did with some shark and a beaver tail arrow pass. It aughta give a bit of visual comparison. I prefer using the shark over beaver tail for a grip. It's quite tough but still flexible and more cushiony. The texture gives good grip without being rough. With being tougher, stretchy, and a good bit thicker, it's much easier to stitch or lace on without tearing compared to beaver tail. Though it adds a lot of bulk to the grip being so much thicker. I hope this helps out with the comparison some.
Kyle
i would have never thought shark skin would be that thick and durable? I would have thought more suitable for putting on limbs similar to sturgeon
I bet as rawhide it would work decent for a backing if thinned a bit. But I'd say it's about equivalent to 4oz leather. I'll have to check when I get home.
Kyle
Had BW thin down my bull shark PLC grip to accommodate my preferred grip width...Also, had them add a flat on the thumb palm face...Love it now...
Quote from: Friend on May 18, 2025, 03:39:22 PMHad BW thin down my bull shark PLC grip to accommodate my preferred grip width...Also, had them add a flat on the thumb palm face...Love it now...
Just got the PLXs in yesterday.I think the sharkskin is thinner than my beaver tail grips. I also find the sharkskin a little slippery, Les grippy then the beaver tail. Maybe I just have to get used to it. It's not bad at all though.