bear claws

Can anybody tell me how to preserve bear claws. I have them removed from the paws and skinned. I am not sure what to do next. would like to use for a hat band or necklace.

Once the flesh has been removed from around the claw, just let them dry. The sheath of the claw will tighten up around the boney core. Once the claw is dried, you are ready to make your necklace or what ever.

To make a necklace, you can either drill a very small hole in the claw or you can put a metal cap on the claw.

I have made some stuff out of claws.If you want to finish them nice,it is quite time consuming.A nice single black bear or wolf claw necklace/choker well polished can sell for 35-65 dollars.

Boco would you share how you do your claws. I am doing them for a youth hunter at our camp. He is a one of a kind hard working young man of 14. Thank you

I will start off with a pocket knife and pare away any tanned leather,hair,or pad around the claw.If it is a dried claw same procedure,unless the excess has already been removed before drying.Next I take a file and file any rough stuff down to the bone(knuckle).Then I will use rough sandpaper and remove the finer stuff from around the bone.Then I use fine sandpaper,same.With the fine sandpaper I will also lightly sand the claw itself to remove any loose.Then I take some steel wool and keep polishing the knuckle and the claw.Then I use a Dremel tool for the final buffing and polishing.This really brings up the grain in the claw.

I use a small gold or silver eye screwed into the bone knuckle,with a decorative bead of glass or metal.Then you can string it how you want.

You don't have to go to all that work to have a claw necklace,but I find they look more professional and bring more money if they are nicely finished.

That's some nice work Boco

Boco thank you sir for taking the time from your busy day to reply. plus the added pictures are great thank you again sir.

Hey no problem vermontster,I'm not really that busy this year.