could you all give me some info on how durable these are, and if they are difficult to install on the handle... basically pros and cons of them as grip material..pics are always nice too..thanks.

Check out Abe Penner's site  - Caribow he uses them alot on most of his bows. Guys that have them seem to love em.

They make for a very durable grip.  The difficult part comes when trying to find one large enough to fit.  I bought several dozen tanned and split tails.  Out of them I think I found about 6 that would work.  Check the Dwyer longbow site.  I think they have some pic's, they bought tails from me in the past.

I like the way they feel and they are very durable.

Trap

My Widow PLV has the beavertail grip. I like the texture on it and the way it feels.

Do they have to be tanned or will rawhide dried work as well?

I use a beavertail grip, shelf cover, and side plate. It's honestly the most durable and weather resistant material I've used. I purchased the bow from Abe Penner with it already installed so can't help with installation tips.

You can get a beavertail hide at Pine Hollow longbows,he has them listed there.

Abe P (cari-bow)sells them and they are the right size/texture to work with for a grip and you'll have some extra for a shelf plate..

Super durable, and naturally water resistant..

Here's what is looks like on a shelf.

Steve,
Are you thinking about one for your Black Swamp?? I had one that I wanted on my Swamp and couldn't get it to work. I had a friend of mine who does alot of leather work try to install it. He said he just couldn't get it to stretch to fit the Swamp grip. So I just went with a piece of black leather instead. You weren't going to cover up the nice piece of Cocobolo were you??    


Bill

Steve- I have few frozen Beavertails in the freezer if you want to skin and tan one. I was thinking about skinning one and tanning it myself with home tan. Let me know, Jashu

I just finished putting one on my long bow a couple weeks back, used dryed untanned tail for my first attempt!! have two pieces dried and two pieces tanned for backups, but I love the way it feels and looks,not sure about durable yet,but i think it will hold up really well,so far so good!! I'll be using the tanned tails for possiables bag!the other dried tail i'll keep for backup as it was hard to skin those things and flech and tan!! sorry about the pic,i guess i need some pratice!!
 

I am always looking for tanned beaver tail and can never find any? Does anyone know how much a big piece would cost? Like an entire tails worth of leather??

I got mine from Abe @ caribow shipped for 29.00 I installed it following the directions and it turned out great, the stuff doesn't stretch much but if you follow the directions it was easier than some of the others I've done with leather.
Mike Yancey also sells them at Pine Hollow(sponsor list) I'll try to post a photo here in a bit.

There was enough to do my pronghorn twice(if so desired) and have shelf material for a good long time.

Any beaver tails for sale ?

Big Jim sells beaver tails for grips.

Abe Penner from Cari-Bow sells them in several colors. They come together with a description how to install them.

just had Big Jim put one on my Buffalo longbow while at Denton hill this year.feels and looks great.

I have one on my buffalo bow from BigJim, and love it.


F-Manny