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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: bowless on August 05, 2012, 05:28:00 PM

Title: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: bowless on August 05, 2012, 05:28:00 PM
Looked around but couldn't fine any how to's or where to get beaver tail.
Can anyone point me in the right direction??
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Rick Butler on August 05, 2012, 05:29:00 PM
Big Jim has them as does Abe Penner at Caribow.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: centaur on August 05, 2012, 05:34:00 PM
Big jim's beavertail grips are awesome. You might check with him. I think it was the Oct/Nov 2010 issue of Traditional Bowhunter that had a how to, as well.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Terry Lightle on August 05, 2012, 05:40:00 PM
Mine came from Abe when I bought my bow from him,and it is very high quality.Would bet 1 from Jim would also be very good quality also.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: huntmaster80 on August 05, 2012, 05:58:00 PM
I have installed several of them on different style grips, pm me if u would like to and I will send you my phone number.  Would probably be easier to explain over the phone
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: ms greenhead on August 05, 2012, 07:30:00 PM
I got one in
The freezer
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: pickaspot55 on August 05, 2012, 07:35:00 PM
Big Jim has them..
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: bowless on August 05, 2012, 09:34:00 PM
Wow, didn't realize Big Jim had so many goodies.
Thanks all
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on August 06, 2012, 11:36:00 AM
Big Jim put a couple on for me at Denton Hill.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: tenbrook on August 06, 2012, 12:25:00 PM
Here's what you do.

1)Cover the handle in plastic wrap to protect from moisture.

2)Soak the Beaver Tail in warm water for 10 minutes.

3)Remove from water and pat dry then wrap tightly around the handle stretching it to conform around the curves of the grip. Get all the wrinkles out then wrap tightly with plastic wrap.

4)Come back in two hours and remove everything.

5)Let the tail dry 24 hours then trim to size.

6)Glue on with "Barge Cement" and lace up.

SUPER EASY!

Here is one I just did the other day.

What do ya think?

 (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN0686.jpg)

 (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN0688.jpg)

 (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN0689.jpg)

 (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN0687.jpg)

 (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN0693-1.jpg)

 (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN0691.jpg)

 (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k258/matter_daddy/DSCN0692.jpg)
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Duker on August 06, 2012, 12:40:00 PM
Nice work tenbrook  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: huntmaster80 on August 06, 2012, 01:00:00 PM
Great description!!!!
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: elkbreath on August 06, 2012, 01:47:00 PM
and dont be nervous  I just did one up and I cant believe how good it comes out.  

thanks to all who helped me here.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: tenbrook on August 06, 2012, 01:49:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by elkbreath:
and dont be nervous  I just did one up and I cant believe how good it comes out.  

thanks to all who helped me here.
X2

They are not hard at all!!!  Your first one will most likely turn out GREAT!
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Tom Anderson on August 06, 2012, 02:19:00 PM
tenbrook,
In step (4) where you say to remove everything and let it dry.  Do you mean to remove the beavertail too, and then let it dry while not on the bow?
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: joe vt on August 06, 2012, 03:04:00 PM
How much of an increase to the grips throat diameter does the beaver tail give?
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: tenbrook on August 06, 2012, 03:06:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Tom Anderson:
tenbrook,
In step (4) where you say to remove everything and let it dry.  Do you mean to remove the beavertail too, and then let it dry while not on the bow?
Yes.

Before you take it off mark it (I use a very fine paint pen in white) where you need to trim it.

Hope this helps.

Tenbrook
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: tenbrook on August 06, 2012, 03:08:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by joe vt:
How much of an increase to the grips throat diameter does the beaver tail give?
It is noticeable without a doubt.  Much less then a leather grip though.  The beaver tail is not very thick at all.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: beetlebailey1977 on August 06, 2012, 05:34:00 PM
This one came from Big Jim.  
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x460/beetle_bailey1977/hackberrygrip2.jpg)
(http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x460/beetle_bailey1977/hackberrygrip1.jpg)
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Biathlonman on August 06, 2012, 05:36:00 PM
Anyone ever done a two piece bow bolt?  Was thinking of adding one to my Toelke but didn't know how you would do it for a two piece.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: JBridegroom22 on August 06, 2012, 07:16:00 PM
Happy I came across this. I've been thinking about wrapping my rivers edge arroyo. Kinda nervous about the deep grip but I'm going to give it a whirl.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Tom Anderson on August 06, 2012, 08:29:00 PM
tenbrook,
I hate to ask for handholding, but can you recommend a specific paint pen?  I've been trying to find a decent one for marking the come-ups on my competition rifle, but all the ones I've found make a wide, gobby mess.

Also, does anyone know how Jim puts such nice even holes in the tail like that?
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: BigJim on August 06, 2012, 10:38:00 PM
I do mine slightly different but everyone has a different technique.
I will add, that while they are relatively easy to do on longbows, recurves can be a different story but still doable.

Instead of the plastic wrap over the beaver for a couple of hours, try an ace bandage and leave it on until dry.
Bigjim
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Tom Anderson on August 07, 2012, 07:52:00 AM
Jim, how do you get those nice holes in them?
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: tenbrook on August 07, 2012, 09:51:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Tom Anderson:
Jim, how do you get those nice holes in them?
With one of these I assume.  Before you punch measure and mark your holes with a ruler and paint pen.

 http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/3240-00.aspx  

I punch the holes right after I trim to size.

I like the ace bandage idea.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: tenbrook on August 07, 2012, 09:56:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Tom Anderson:
tenbrook,
I hate to ask for handholding, but can you recommend a specific paint pen?  
http://www.artsupply.com/sls/deco_color_paint_markers.htm
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Rick Butler on August 07, 2012, 10:02:00 AM
This works well too and really keeps your holes in line.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/home/department/Tools/3052-00.aspx
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: BigJim on August 07, 2012, 01:28:00 PM
I didn't put the holes in that tail. Infact, I don't put them in until I have it glued on the bow. I also mark and cut tail while in place. Must be very careful as to not cut into the bow finish.

I use a white grease marker when it is cooler or while in A/C. Outside I use a blue pen. They both work fine and rub off easily. It is getting harder to see the lines as I get older.

I use a "Nipper" to cut my holes and they aren't holes, they are slots. Not real visible when grip is done. You must be careful as to not undercut the mating edges as it can be very tough to pull them any distance back together and also easy to tear the tail.

Beaver tails are incredibly wear resistant, but oddly easy to tear when not glued in place.

good luck, bigjim
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Biathlonman on August 10, 2012, 01:09:00 PM
Just finished up one on my bow bolt Toelke Chinook.  It really was as easy as everyone said.  Hardest part was finding the barge cement!  I used an ace bandage per BigJim's recommendation and everything went perfectly.  Only thing that I will add that I didn't see anyone mention is that you will need some kind of dye or maybe a sharpie to color the cut edges.  I ordered a black tale and where you cut it the edges are white.  I had some Kiwi black leather die here so it wasn't a big deal, also tried a sharpie and it seemed to work fine.  I ran all over town looking for leather lacing but ended up just using some upholstery thread I had on hand as I was having a heck of a time getting the lace through and thought I was going to tear out a hole.  Just ran a swipe of the die down the front to color the stray colored thread after I was done.  Did it just like the instructions here, just stopped and tied off my thread on both sides of the bolt bold slot.  After I got done then I just ran a razorblade around the slot.  Not perfect, but I really like it.

(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Biathlonman4B/photobucket-2276-1344608549182.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Biathlonman4B/photobucket-44837-1344608525451.jpg)
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g438/Biathlonman4B/photobucket-1104-1344608507809.jpg)
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Steve Clandinin on August 10, 2012, 09:26:00 PM
Tenbrook,thanks ever so much for the advise ,just ready to do one.Who says were to old to learn!
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Butchie on August 11, 2012, 08:11:00 AM
Here's mine from Big Jim following his instructions.

 (http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af26/brentbarclay/IMG_6688.jpg)
(http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af26/brentbarclay/IMG_6690.jpg)
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Gator1 on August 11, 2012, 08:15:00 AM
You guys are masters......

I'm getting courageous...  :biglaugh:    :laughing:
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: bowless on August 11, 2012, 11:04:00 AM
Nice work here guys.
I'm going to try it, just gotta get me a beaver tail.
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Roadkill on August 12, 2012, 01:04:00 AM
I had two in the back yard getting ready to tan.  This morning my son's dog came in with a half in his mouth.  He ate the other one too
My son is in the Rubies svouting for his season so the dog stays with us.  Anyone wanna make a dog grip?

Good instruction, hope to find another tail in my taxidermy freezer tomorrow
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: on June 04, 2013, 12:39:00 PM
OK I admit I'm challenged in this area, but I can't get the stuff to stretch at all. I am trying to do the handle on my Morrison Shawnee and it has a number of contours. I bought a veg-tanned tail from Sheridan Leather, dyed it with Fiebing's Black oil dye, let that dry for a couple of days, then I soaked the tail for a long time and it never did develop any "give" to shape it on the handle. Also, the dye came off all over my hands! Help!
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Razorbak on June 04, 2013, 01:25:00 PM
Wrap bow riser in Saran Wrap. The leather needs to be thinned. Like 2 to 3 oz max. Soak in warm water for a little bit until it becomes pliable the wring all excess water out wrap around handle and get a grip on it then mold contours with fingers then when your satisfied clamp the open end of leather on back of bow with some clips then let dry when dry then make some reference marks with pencil and line up and cut leather down middle. Then cut 1/16" off each side you cut then mark and make holes then lightly stain with dye and let DRY then seal the leather with some dressing then stitch and your good. And if you want added protection get some Elmer's glue the white kind and mix 2 parts of water to glue and shake real good and lightly stain the leather then as it drys. Buff with clean Cotten rag and your all set. This is one way to do it. Also you can wrap masking tape around handle and contours then cut in line and peel off and transfer carefully to leather and cut and stitch. No water molded needed
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: on June 04, 2013, 03:18:00 PM
Iattempted skiving the tail leather to make it thinner without a lot of success-- any thoughts on that?
Title: Re: Beaver Tail Grip ??
Post by: Razorbak on June 07, 2013, 12:10:00 AM
go to Tandy..get a skiver that they sell..its only a few bucks..get a flat piece of glass and place leather on glass and skive or use razor in angle or sand on belt sander