I have had several in the past and loved them all... such nice leather.  I caught a few this season and skinned out the tails; which was no small task.  Does anyone know how to tan them or prep them to be made into bow grips?

Don't think they are tanned...just fleshed out very well.

Mike Yancey gave a brief description over in the bowyer's section...

hmmm... can't find it today for some reason.

No tanning needed.

cut as much of the crap out of the tail as you can (like you said, no easy task) wash it well in dish soap, then tack it out to dry.

Soak it in water before putting it on the bow.

I seem to remember an article on beaver tail grips in TBH back in august / september? The author described the whole process start to finish.

I know this has been discussed before, I even posted on the subject some time back.  I have about 14 split and fleshed tails sitting with Borax on them.  I keep reading posts about applying tails green to your bow.  I don't think it would be a good idea for several reasons.  I saw a beaver tail grip for sale at Kalamazoo, (CariBow). The tail was tanned and appeared to feel like suede.  I found an article on line about home tanning  www.motherearth.com.   The recipe called for water,pickeling salts, bran flakes, battery acid, and baking soda.  I haven't tried yet but plan on it in the future.  
Al

Thanks gents... I appreciate all the help!

they dont tan fish skins or snakeskins for backings either.  But i would make sure I got ALL the crap out of the inside- use a butter knife and dont tell your wife

QuoteOriginally posted by eagleone:
they dont tan fish skins or snakeskins for backings either.  But i would make sure I got ALL the crap out of the inside- use a butter knife and dont tell your wife

Better yet just buy a cheap butter knife and throw it away once you've used and abused it.  

QuoteOriginally posted by eagleone:
they dont tan fish skins or snakeskins for backings either.  But i would make sure I got ALL the crap out of the inside- use a butter knife and dont tell your wife

Yes, But they're covered with a finish to keep them dry.

I have a tail here now that I've just finished tanning in my shop.

I would think if it's not tanned, moisture would be your enemy.

guru- what did you use to tan them?

I tanned mine with the solution you can buy at the bigger outdoor stores. Follow the directions on the bottle.

After you tan it, cut it to size, soak in water until pliable so it will stretch some.

Then I spread barge cement on it, wrap the grip and stitch it up.

I never tried to do it rawhide but I tanned 6 wraps over the last few years and they are very comfortable and durable. I oil them every couple months.

I just bought one from Big Jim this past weekend...it was tanned.

I bet you don't like it if it aint tanned!

All the tails I have used were tanned and they are fantastic grips. The few that I have seen installed using untanned tails did nothing for me. Just my .02 cents.

bigjim

Thanks again guys... I will definatly look into a couple of options for tanning.  Also, no wife here I prefer to do what I want when I want so that getting married thing is a long term goal... very long term.