Sea otter, mink and beaver furs are generally used to trim the top edge of Chilkat and Ravenstail robes. I mark on the back side of the pelt about 1/4″ strips. Always cut using a sharp, fine blade along your mark. Try to lift up the pelt as you cut so the blade does not touch the surface of the table; you want to avoid making defined cuts in the fur line. Like anything it takes practice to cut along your defined lines so be easy on yourself!
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Hello,
I enjoy archery, and use a traditional wood bow. Today bows have what is called a arrow shelf carved into them and for many years the arrow shelf has been lined with animal fur to help the arrow glide with as little friction as possible when shooting. Cow calf, beaver, seal skin, wolf, bear have all been used. You place the skin on the arrow shelf so the arrow follows “with the grain” so the hair/fur lays flat as the arrow travels over it leaving the bow during shooting. So since the sea otter has the thickest fur of all sea mammals I thought it might be a great choice as arrow shelf material. Since I have no experience with sea otter fur, which part of the animal skin would you say is fairly tough where the fur lays fairly flat to the skin and not sticking straight up. I would think it would be the belly area perhaps, but that is just a guess. Knowing what the use is, what are your thoughts comparing beaver and seal skin to sea otter skin and do you think the sea otter skin would be a good material for this purpose. The amount of material needed is very small. You need one 3/4″ x 2 1/4″ piece and one 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ piece for a side plate where the arrow touches the side of the bow.
Thank you in advance for your time and effort. I look forward to your response.
Michael