Going to try and make my own bever tail grips this winter. Anyone got any advise on tanning or how to apply to the bow??
The October issue of Traditional Bowhunter magazine has just what your looking for in it. "The Beaver Tail Bow Handle" by Krista Holbrook is a good how to with pics.
That artical (if I remember correctly) air dries the tails. I have done several over the past few years and have always tanned them using the stuff you can buy in a bottle from big name sporting good stores.
My advice would be to:
tan (or dry like the article says?) the tails,
cut it to the pattern you need,
drill holes for stiching (I use a dremmel with the engraver tip),
soak it in water until soft,
put Barge cement on the bow handle and the back of the tail,
wrap the tail around the bow grip,
stich the tail together,
allow to dry over several days.
Good Luck!