What kind or brand of needle works well for sewing leg holes on beaver? The leather is tough, and I have a harder time sewing beaver than any other fur.

Why are you sewing them?

He is obviously seeking Canadian citizenship!

When we were in North Bay they used a triangle shaped one to stitch around the leg hole then tighten it up. We dubbed it the Beaver Butthole stitch. They had the needles for sale at the trap store but I can’t remember what brand.

Unless you just like the look, there's no reason to sew the leg holes.

The triangle shaped needle is called a "glovers needle". It's commonly used by trappers for sewing holes and tearing damage in preparing raw fur pelts for market.

That is it. One of the old timers showed it done. I had pictures but must have deleted them

Its a bit quicker than nailing when you consider lifting the skin up on the nails and removal.
The worst place for inadvertently ripping a skin when pulling nails is at the legholes also.

I got 33 tanned this year, been selling as wall hangers, both hooped and unhooped. I think that when sending them to the tannery sewn, they look much better when finished.

I use needles that taxidermist use. They are in the shape of a " C " and come in different sizes. Go to www.vandykestaxidermy.com, then to taxidermy tools, then needles, then surgeon`s needles. They have four sizes, buy all four, they are $1.30 each. I have had these four needles for many years, have sewn up many bite holes, cuts, and leg holes, and they are just as sharp as the day I bought them. Hint, do not go all the way through into the fur side, just catch some of the leather on each side of the hole and draw it together using dental floss, the unwaxed type. If your fingers are weak, then use a pair of needle nose pliers on the middle of the needle to push it through. Do all sewing BEFORE you put the fur on the stretcher. This method does a very nice job, without messing up the fur side with stitches, and with the fur graders, it is all about appearance.

X 2 for boco I nail mine shut on boards and be very careful pulling nails. On hoops I take an ice pick and make holes then sew them shut.

Anyone tried the rubber band method during boarding? pull excess skin up put rubber bands around it once the skin starts to dry come back and pull the rubber band off the leg hole and trim to flush......looked nice on the beaver video floating around about 2 months ago.

Tried that with a calf bander. Bands don't want to stay put on wet hides and the hide doesn't dry good where the band is

I band the front legs on mine. After a couple days the leg is usually dry enough to cut them off. Leaves a nice flat closed up hole where the leg was. On small beaver you can band the rear legs too. On the big ones I just nail the leg holes shut on the rear legs.

I used the castrator bands on one pelt this year (I am no big beaver trapper LOL) and it worked nicely for me.
Don't have a pic unfortunately

where did you get them tanned?

I nail my beaver legs shut. The glover needles are also used for taxidermy also. That is what I learn to use when I do it .

Z and L Trading Corp....Can’t beat Leo Lewin. He turned the first batch of 18 around in 5 weeks.

I sew my leg holes with a number 7 glovers needle and dental floss. For me it's a pride of workmanship thing. I like the way they look when sewn, and don't mind spending a little more time. I don't put up big numbers though, and know that the graders probably don't care whether sewn or nailed.