I have put on a few they look great,. Yes if it's not tanned I punch my holes but ad a seasoned strip to each side also with holes punched for extra protection.(never used tanned)I USE HEAVY DRY LEATHER FOR THIS. I super glue together ON TO THE BEAVER HANDLE before I start to sew. THATS ONE ON EACH SIDE WHERE THE HOLES ARE. You have to soak so it will stretch. I like to soak mine over night (BEAVER)then put on the other strips (LEATHER) I cut (BEVER HANDLE)mine about a 1/4 short so I can pull it tight as I sew it will come together then it will shrink as it drys. But be careful it will stretch put the holes will tare out easy. This why I ad the extra strips of dry ed leather.
Dry super tight never had to repair any of them.