Has anyone tried a seal skin tab, I have a piece of skin that I got off a small seal toy and was thinking about a tab, are they any good?

What would be the best way to get the leather flat, wet it and put a book on it?

I never tried a seal skin tab yet but as far as making the leather go flat you might try to dampen a towel or rag and put over the leather and take a warm Iron and steam it slowly but not too hot....Keefer's <><

I used them for many years and thought there was nothing better.When sealskin got scarce I went to cordovan leather and like it better as it is more durable.Sealskin will last better if you work a drop of baby oil into it ever now and then

If anyone asks you, tell them its a calfhair tab. Its illegal to possess any product made of a marine mammal in the U.S.  No exceptions, doesn't matter where it came from, how you got it, or how old it is. I personnally called the US Government to discuss this and thats what I was told.
Absolutely ridiculous.

X2 on the "Absolutely ridiculous" !!!!

X3 and I don't even live down there. So much for freedom.

Maybe illegal but it's not unlawful.

Thanks for the baby oil tip.

shame. The harp seal population is over 4 times the population of the seventies in Canada, over nine million strong

As you guys know, it has nothing to do with biology, science or proper wildlife management.
100% bull sh%^ politics.

Just tell them you are an Eskimo!

Hopefully the next election will straighten this mess out.

Dave, I like your thinking!  

its not illeagal to own a finished product made from seal skin.  You can get stuff all day long on any busy street corner here in anchorage in the summer, you just can't have the unfinished product.  What you do with it after the fact is your own business, I woudl try it out.  U use calfskin for my tabs but if I had a larger piece of seal skin I would try it.  IT is great for strikeplate on your riser.

Sorry Josh. I was told by US Fish and Game that NO product is allowed ANYWHERE in the United states. Finished or not. I argued till blue in the face, including articles made before the law was implemented. Proof would have to be given on the age and a receipt with date of purchase of the actual article, and are you ready for this.....then THEY would decide whether the proof was acceptible or not.
I'm going to step down from this now and offer anyone to contact the US Dept of Fish and Wildlife for this information. I don't make the laws, or interpret them. I'm telling you what I was told by the above after a lot of useless arguing. In the end, I was told that if I had in my possesion any article made from any animal listed in the marine mammal protection act in any shape or form, I would be fined and persecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Make the call for yourselves.
And yes, it is a GREAT material. Excellent for armguards also.

The laws are "100% bullsh%^", look up common law rights.

I managed to get 2 "calf hair"     tabs plus left overs for a few striking plates. I have to say it makes a nice tab maybe the best I've tried, has great string feel and a very slick release!

tell them to show it to you in print.  I'm sure they were full of it.  There are too many shops up here that sell walrus tusks, seal fur, whale baleen,  if it was illegal the feds wouldn't let them sell all of this stuff.   Its like going to the post office and having them tell you you can't mail a firearm, then when you pull out their own regulations and prove it to them they finally let you.

Most of the laws and all the people in the national gov. are now unfortunaltely 100% Bullsh!!