Can`t seem to find any seal skin these days. Is there a rest material out there that is that is equal to sealskin? Has anyone tried the beaver rest material from 3 rivers?

if you can get a beaver.   skin it flesh it really good .  and dry it with borax. this will turn it into  raw hide with hair on one side.  the belly fur is very very smooth and soft.

Try Larry at Lost nation, he carries it...PR

I use the hook side of peel-n-stick velcro for both rest and strike plate.

Just replaced my rest on a longbow and a recurve with a peice of beaver tail, they have only been on for a couple of weeks but so far there has not been any signs of wear. Seem to be quiet and is supposed to be really tough. I got the tanned tail from Abe at Cari-bow, there should be enough leather to wrap 2 or 3 bows and supply rests for quite some time.

Terry

Squirrel and chipmunk work very well if you like fur and its free.

kitten skin.

have you tried alaskan bowhunting supply?  I know he used to carry it....

That's cold, Krebs. I hate myself for laughing. GY

I do like hickstick and use the fuzzy side of adhesive backed velcro.  I actually prefer it over sealskin for function and ease of use but the sealskin looks more traditional.  What's real nice about the velcro is that with the backing on it, you can lay it up to the shelf, trace the outline on the backing paper and cut just inside the line to get a perfect fit the first try and then you label the piece of paper and stick it with your archery supply stuff and when you need a new rest, you just use it as a pattern and make a new one.

I cant get sealskin in my shop right now. I wish I could, but i will shoot a few tree rats this weekend to tan for rests.

Lost Nation Archery does NOT have any sealskin anymore.  We sold out a few months back and like everyone else we are waiting for Alaska Bowhunting to find a native American who can legally process sealsking.  It doesn't look good.  I recommend calf hair rests instead.
Larry

Granny, I have a piece, big enough for a rest and strike plate, it's yours if you want it.

y'know, Chuihuaua skin works pretty well-you want a short dense hair, and I find kitty skin isn't up to snuff either-kinda like Yorkshire terrier skin  

Unborn calf skin makes great tabs and rest/side plates. I have them but don't have them on the website yet. Cordovan works well also.