Need some help with bear claws

JPickett

Long Time Member

Messages

3,761

• May 22, 2022

• #1

So of all the bears I’ve shot I’ve never done anything with just the claws. Got a couple rugs and just tanned the rest. Well bear I shot this year I want to make some necklaces for my girls.

I have all the front claws removed, skinned down to bone but I’m having a hell of a time trying to get the bone out of the nail. I want to get these separated so I can get it all clean and whitened to put back together and polish up.

Any tips? There is no skin left on these. It’s nail and bone, been drying for a week and a half.

 

Uttaxi1

Active Member

Messages

622

• May 23, 2022

• #2

Soak in some water mixed dawn dish soap and a little salt. They will loosen from the core then you can super glue them back onto the core after you clean them.

 

JPickett

Long Time Member

Messages

3,761

• May 23, 2022

• #3

you are the guy i hoped would answer. thank you Sr. i was getting mixed results with google searching and i didn't want to have them fall apart on me.

 

Uttaxi1

Active Member

Messages

622

• May 23, 2022

• #4

You might need to separate the nail from the bed slightly with a scalpel or something. But should be able to remove them. We actually run a wire though the nail so they don't fall off if we send them to be dry tanned so they don't get lost.

 

HuckleberryHound

Active Member

Messages

207

• May 28, 2022

• #5

What do you think, bone deformed under this one? I got a hunch i wont be able to get the claw off the bone. Front claw of a nice boar i got in idaho wednesday.