Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bjrogg on June 10, 2018, 07:30:24 am
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I've never used fish skins of any kind, but have been thinking about it. The guys I know that go fishing on the big lake here have been loading up on Lake Trout. They certainly would be big enough to back a bow. Has anyone used them? Any tips? I'm sure I could get a bunch.
Bjrogg
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My only tip is to keep them out of reach from your dog ;D lost a good koi skin that way
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My only tip is to keep them out of reach from your dog ;D lost a good koi skin that way
ill keep that in mind Ryan
Bjrogg
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They would make good backing but I don't know how their pattern will transfer. Some fish skins will hold their patterns but some loose the pattern with the scales.
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I guess that's what I'm wondering Pat. I'm wondering if anyone has used them and if so what they look like. Would really love to see some pictures if they did. I don't have local snakes that are suitable and just looking for something different that might look nice. Not really needing anything for strength for backing or even moisture protection.
Bjrogg
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Oh yeah, that too, you’ll probably lose most of the color. Perhaps if you kept the scales on?
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Ryan I have zero experience with fish skins but most everyone I ever talked to about them remove the scales. Actually individually. I seem to remember Simson saying that he left scales on though.
Bjrogg
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Leaving scales on can lead to problems like scales coming loose later under the finish or just discoloring so IMO it is better to remove the scales before adding the finish..
I have a Jay Massey bow that is sinew backed osage with a halibut skin covering. I'm sure Jay used the fish skin for moisture protection but otherwise it is pretty bland. As far as a hunting bow it makes good sense because it has a dull, drab appearance.
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I saved some brook trout skins to try....by the time I got home from fishing, the color had gone and they were gray. I think blood flow has a lot to do with their color, so if you can figure out how to back the bow with a live fish you'll have the problem solved.
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I've used brown trout skins off a big fish and they kept there color quite well. I have a feeling that the older the fish, the better the it will keep the color. Just speculating, but it makes sense to me.
Keep us posted. (-P
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I live in Michigan and spend quite a bit of the summer chasing trout and salmon on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. If the skins would work you could always airbrush the color back into them. Maybe I will save some skins from my next trip. Atlantic salmon skins would look cool too with the black x marks on them.
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Tried it. I wasn't nice to them putting them in detergent for days and even mineral spirits to make sure the fats where out of them. Scales are gone but the pattern is still there, somewhat translucent and brown/grey. I can post a picture but since photobucket don't work anymore what do you guys use?
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Thanks everyone. Lip I think most people are using Imgur. Don't tell Photobucket but I'm still using them. After I get a IMG I save it to my phone and crop it there. Then I post it from my phone library. It's still been working for me but I don't know what will happen if I get a new phone. I probably should figure something else out.
Bjrogg
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I thought I was the only one that ever used halibut skins. I caught some 66" halibut 1 year in Oregon, the skin was as strong as raw hide.
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Dawn dish soap is the ticket for deoiling fish skins.an air brush is fun to play with on faded fish skins also.2 colors of grey and a brown will make a great fade out pattern.
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Thanks omha2 have airbrush might have to give it a try
Bjrogg
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You might look at some fish taxidermy sites to get some clues on airbrushing fish skins. Do you have internet in your tractor? Air con? Beer fridge? ;D
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Air and my cell phone. Smart phone Really made my world bigger DC. Have a radio but hardly ever listen to it.No fridge yet. Actually I'm working in shop today. Finished planting at least the first time. Really getting very dry here. I planted the edible beans very deep. Hope they make it. Some still aren't going to be in the moisture. Still lot of spraying and putting nitrogen on. Might get a slight break around the end of June before we have to get ready for wheat harvest. It sure beats hoeing sugar beets and baling hay and straw, milking cows all the good jobs I had growing up. Things have sure changed but I'm still glad I grew up where and when I did.
I have a Van Dykes catalog but probably some you tube videos on fish taxidermy might help. Of course it really doesn't have to be exactly same as any fish. Could be whatever I want it to be.
Bjrogg
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Bjrogg,
Hey bro, stoked that you started this thread! Down here in New Zealand we don't have any snakes, and I've been thinking about alternatives for a while and just landed on the idea of fish skins a couple of weeks ago too.
I have "tanned" (urine) a few fish skins before from quite a few different species with varyied results in terms of colour retention in the finished product, any fish that were red or orange while alive (some australian species from when I was working over there) seem to turn a boring white once the scales are removed. But species that were darker coloured when alive, so generally the temperate species, seemed to retain their colour quite well and seemed to have thicker skin in general. Also I found that fish with medium sized scales tend to have the coolest scale pocket pattern once the scales are removed.
Hope this helps, I will put some photos up of some fish skins I've done so you can get an idea of how varied the end product can be, I reckon it will make an awesome looking backing! (what would I know, I've only made one bow)
also does anyone have photos of bows that have been backed by fish skins?
Zach
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Thanks Zach and welcome to PA. I know there are some very nice looking bows backed with fish skins. I seen some stunning Sturgeon and charp. Most are just air dried skins washed in dawn dishwashing detergent to remove oils. If tanned it I believe it needs to be with something that doesn't effect the glue. Thinking urine probably wouldn't as long as rest of oil were washed off good. Like I previously said though I've never done fish skins just snake. I'd love to see more pictures to. I do remember a thread a year or two Back titled something like your favorite backings. Was a pretty interesting thread.
Bjrogg