I have a few dozen split tails I want to get tanned, any tanneries that are better than others for good finished leather work tails. Natural or bleached tail finish?

Specialty Leather in Boone Iowa.

Never heard of natural as the tanning process destroys the natural color. Specialty Leather dyes them after tanning. You choose from the colors they offer. Their website explains it pretty well and they are very helpful if you give them a call. I have a batch there being processed right now.

Beaver Hide Prep and Tanning

I think the black dye gives the tails a pretty natural look. They do a great job. If you don’t dye them, they will be white when you get them back. I’ve had customers that wanted to try dying their own so I had some done “natural“.

Mine came back great from Specialty. Very pliable leather. I think Randy Shuff does his own tanning, I noticed his wallets seem to be stiffer...not a bad thing as I'm sure they will hold up longer all and all.

I have one of Randy’s wallets. It is super nice. It gets a nice patina from carrying it. It darkened up.

Specialty leather. I barter some of mine with a local bowyer. He says they are the best he has ever seen. Hold their die very well. I go with chocolate dye

Any estimate on Specialty Leather prices for tanning and dyeing?

$6.50/side plus you gotta ship them there and back.

Was $7 last time I did some.

I just shipped some to them, called and confirmed the price before I shipped....$6.50 per side.

Does that include dyeing or just tanning

I would have Randy Shuff do them! I have no idea what he charges.
He is on Trapperman in the Crafts forum.
IMHO It is sort of like who is the best taxidermist; often it depends on what you like, want or can afford.
Pete

$6.50 per side includes tanning and dyeing. Shipping to and from is extra.

I have used Specialty Leathers for years, they do great work have a quick turn over, many colors to choose from as well, $6.50 a side, they don't flesh and take only salted or dry tails.

Pliable and work very well for most leather work needs, I've yet to find a home tanning recipe that will even come close to what they will give you !

They will also take them fresh frozen, provided they are skinned and fleshed.

According to their website, skinned, fleshed fresh frozen is their preferred way to get them. They take dye more uniformly when processed that way according to them. They do not recommend the lighter color dyes for tails that have been dried.

I had already dried some before I saw that on their website so I sent some dried and some fresh frozen but I am getting walnut color dye which is one of the darker colors.

Just got a call for Specialty Leather that my beaver tails were finished and would be shipped back to me today. They received them on March 26 so that is good turn around time IMO.

Looking forward to getting them but I will not be at home when then get here.

I just tried to send some tails to Specialty Leather and learned that they have closed their doors for good. Anyone have any other options?

Check out the other beaver tail thread.

Can someone take a photo of the finished tail after the tan?