Not sure if this is traditional related enough or not, so mods please pull if you think it should be. But I did shoot the bear with a stone point, so maybe that will count for something :rolleyes:
I pulled the claws out of a bear hide I had in the freezer. I cleaned off all of the soft tissue, but the bone the claws attach to is still pretty ugly. What is the next step to make an attractive ornament? I'd like to use at least some of them to make a necklace.
get one of the kids ant farms from wallymart and stick them in there with ants for a week,perfectly clean,whatever you put in it.
Joe,
The necklace sounds pretty cool. Where are you going to get your supplies from? Do you have anything special in mind?
I would give Guru and shout and see what he suggests.
Chris
I have some beads around now, and may look for something special for a necklace. Might add an elk ivory too. I've looked around at some pics of different necklaces, and found some that I like.
If Curt doesn't see this thread I'll ask him directly - that's a good idea! Ant farm sounds like a possiblity too!
get a bleach kit online for them at any taxodermy store.
makes them nice and white.
I made a teardrop shaped piece of cocobolo wood, 1/4 in thickand slightly wider ,and inlet it with a dremel tool. Finished it off and hung it on my quiver. Looks cool . Flinthead
Dog gon it, I thought were were in for a tasty treat... :D
Did you get my CO scan Joe?
I have some beads you might like. Do you have pics of the claws? I have never had any fresh ones to work with, and want to see exactly what the problem looks like.
Killdeer
I filled mine with epoxy after they came off of the toe bones and made a nice necklace.
Whip I cut them off the hide and then layed them out on some wood in the sun and coverd them with salt.Everyday in my spare time I would clean the knuckle and fat off a few with a pocket knife.It took about a week but they came out nice and clean.If you boil them them for 1/2 hr in salty water the toe bone will come out of the claw.Rather then to use them with no toe bone or knuckle.I dry them as mentioned and then fill around the edges with some super glue.Then a good buffing and there ready for your necklace.bowdoc (http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/bowdocsarchery/bc001-1.jpg)
Borax would work a little better than salt and no need to put them in the sun.Rub with borax and scrape the bone.Repeat if necessary.Once it is completely clean and dry,you can put some clear finish on it.Borax is a dessicant(dryer)and bug proofer.
That's a nice bunch of claws Bowdoc!!
I was just baseing my info on what they tought us in taxidermy class.I kept them out side on the board because of the smell.And you would want to use non-iodized salt if you choose to use salt.bowdoc (http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/bowdocsarchery/tr002.jpg)
Thanks Kendall those are from all my hard work in Que'bec..bowdoc
I cleaned them up some more, but they still don't look nice enough to hang on a necklace.
I just talked with Iron Bull and he suggested using Potassium Permagnumate (sp?) to color the bone part of the claws.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/IMG_0782-1.jpg)
QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
I have some beads you might like. Do you have pics of the claws? I have never had any fresh ones to work with, and want to see exactly what the problem looks like.
Killdeer
Might this be an opportunity for trade discussions? :saywhat: :goldtooth:
Joe, You've gotten some great advice....if I was to pick a way to do it...it would be like Jim B. said....and if you don't like the look of the bone, take a dremmel and grind it flush with the back of the claw itself....
Now on another note....
For you folks that don't know, Jim B's about as experienced and talented a taxidermist as we could ask to hang around Trad Gang....Back in my competition days, everyone knew who Jim Brandenburgh was....
I know a thing or two about taxidermy, especially Whitetails...but if I had a question about something, Jim would be the first guy I'd turn to for an answer :notworthy:
The fact that he's a trad bowhunter makes it even better ;)
Cool! :cool: I'm going to start out with the Borax. Sounds like a nice easy solution! :thumbsup:
:clapper:
I wasn't thinking of a trade, Joe. I just have a lot of beads, and thought maybe you didn't. I have some brass beads, seed beads, some red white-hearts and hair pipes, if you are interested. Might have some other type Crow beads hanging around. Lots of imitation sinew, some leather, tin cones, too.
Killdeer
I would love to use some of your beads in the necklace. I know you simply offered them "with no strings attached", but I'd sure like to send you some claws in exchange. PM me your address please! :cool:
Joe,
I sent a few of mine to Rocky Mtn. Scrimshaw in Colorado and they capped them with Silver they can do a number of things that look real cool.I will have one from Stone Tip P&Y Bear around my neck this JUNE in Quebec !!! If you need tel # let me know.
Tom
Whip - Just saw some work a guy did with braintan deer, he used basswood seeds with the center drilled out for beads on his fringe, looks great, looks real traditional. He also had some 'aborted' acorns, the ones that never develop a husk/nut - a very small cap that never opened up. Small round disks of birch bark, several together, might be interesting as well.
Although the ant farm works good but not always around when needed I've used my kids.He lost his mind when he came home from school.
I've do mine like this.After taking as much meat off as possable.Put them in a pan of boiling water after an 1/2 hour or so let them cool if theres a little meat etc.Scrape boil again scrap if needed.
Cool put in a cup of Hydrogen Perixide stur when ever you go by a few days or untill clean wash off.Drill holes.Looks nice on quivers I've put one on the end of string you tied your leather handle on with.
But ants do a quick good job.
Cool idea Whip. I'll have to do that... just gotta find me a bear to give up his claws!
Have to put that on your list for your North American trip Al! :thumbsup:
Here is kind of what I have in mind. I have an elk ivory that I would use as the center pendant.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/six-bear-claw-necklace-with-squash-.jpg)
And another. It looks to me like some sort of filler was used to cap off the bone on these.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/six-bear-claw-necklace-with-turquoi.jpg)
wow Joe those both look great and the elk ivory would really look good on one.bowdoc
Can't wait to see what you come up with bud...good luck!
I'm liking that elk ivory idea too.Anybody do anything with lion claws?
Joe I did a few elk ivories myself by grinding a bit of the root off.Then rilled a small hole and inserted some fine SS wire then mixed some epoxy with white pigment and filled the tooth.Its kind of a cheapish way to do them.bowdoc (http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii175/bowdocsarchery/ei1001.jpg)
Instead of boiling them just put in the microwave for 30 seconds and they fall off the bone. If you want you can then you can peroxide or bleach just the bone. The microwave works good for Antelope horns also.I got an old one in the garage.