Hi all and merry Christmas from the Cowles family!
 I was thinking of doing my monarch raghorn long bow up with bull snake skins for backing (this is a giving) but beaver tail wraps for the handle, what are your thoughts on the beavr tail wraps? I have had a great season so far with the beaver trapping and saved 4 tails to skin and tan,not to mention plenty of meat for the freezer( my deer season as far as harvests was a flop, but enjoyed every minunte with bow in hand) Do beaver tails make for good handle wraps? are they hard to apply to the handle? Is there any build alongs in the past that I could refer too? thanks all! happy holidays! Jim

Jim,
I just picked up my new longbow, a Buffalo bow by Big Jim's Bow Company, and it has a beaver tail grip.

I've always liked a leather grip on a bow and this beaver tail looks and feels even better. I think it will be more durable too.

Here's a couple of pics from my phone:





I'd say go for it. I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

chris

Oh, I should have added. There not hard to apply, just like leather. Cut a square of beaver tail and soak it in water to soften, wrap your riser in saran wrap to protect it, wrap the beaver tail on the riser and stretch to fit the curves, use a couple of spring clamps on the front to hold the beaver tail in place and set it aside to dry. Once dry, put some barge cement on the riser and the beaver tail, put the beaver tail on the riser, cut the front two flaps to meet in the middle with scissors, then punch some holes to sew it up. Take a razor blade and trim the top and bottom edge and your done.

chris

Chris-Thanks for the detailed instructions to apply the beaver tail grip.  I think I learned something... But I have tried to do it several times using raw beaver tail and tanned beaver tail.  The problem I have is I can't get it to stretch without wrinkles around the deep curve under the arrow shelf.  My grip is almost identical to the bow you show, so at least there is hope for me.  Any suggestions to keep the wrinkes out?

Yes thank you Cris, Good Info here! That beaver tail looks great on your bow I'm hoping for the same results here in the next couple months, got arrows to build,beavertail to tan, bullsnake to back and still have some bunny huntin to do!! thanks Jim

Did you wet the hide? Once wet you can pull on both ends until it stretches to fit around the curve of the pistol grip. Also, the barge cement locks it in place for the final application.

I can remember putting on one of my first ones without any cement under it and it looked good for a while but it slowly moved and developed wrinkles.

Good luck!

chris

I had two PLXs with them and love the grip. There is a website that sells them ready to install on your bow. I will PM you the address if I can find it again.

Merry Christmas
Gil

Gil Thank you,I'm a do it youself kinda guy but if my attemts fail I may need that addy!  Thanks again! Jim

Where can one purchase some beaver tail for grips?

Just found them at Pine Hollow's website.

Yea, pine hollow has them,thats where I ordered my bull snake skins from!!

Chris, tell us more about that bow!!  BILL

I have a Cari-bow Featherhorn with Beavertail.  I think it is by far the best wrap you can have.  It is a nice sticky grip in your hand, even in the sweatiest part of summer.

ArrowAtomik, Have any pics,I would love To see your bow with beavertail wrap, I think they are very sharp looking and sounds like they are very functional ,Poss perfect for longbows!! anybody else want to post pics of your beavertail handle wraps feel free I'd love to see them!! Jim  

Cari Bow sells brown or black beavertail for $25.00.  Instructions included.

Chris,
Does Big Jim's Bow company have a web site?