Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: bowkee on June 02, 2010, 02:02:12 pm

Title: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 02, 2010, 02:02:12 pm
I recently acquired one of my Osage bows back and was thinking of putting an artificial snake skin pattern on it, any Ideas?
I was thinking of using some fine linen cloth I have and making a roller with a carved skin pattern so I can emboss the backing.
I was thinking of the California king snake pattern.


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Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Bevan R. on June 02, 2010, 04:33:55 pm
Just a thought for an alternative to making your own, I got a couple of yards of snake skin print material off of ebay. worked out to about $3 a bow. I am to lazy to try to print my own (unless I use the puter and iron on transfers).
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Frode on June 02, 2010, 11:39:46 pm
I'd be very interested in seeing how this works out, bowkee!  Are you thinking of making a wooden roller, or some kind of rubber/linoleum sort?  I know some people who have expressed some interest in decorative backings, and this would open up some very interesting possibilities, I think.
Please keep us apprised!
Frode
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Justin Snyder on June 02, 2010, 11:46:36 pm
Some guys have stretched onion sacks over the back of the bow and sprayed it to get the scale pattern of snakeskins.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: robtattoo on June 03, 2010, 12:37:10 am
A fishnet stocking stretched over the bow & used as a template pruduces great scale patterns!
I don't have any pics, but I sprayed up a couple of bike gas tanks like this over the years. What works especially well is to spray flat black first, then stretch over the stocking & topcoat with gloss black. It's a very subtle, but surprisinly natural & realistic look!
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 03, 2010, 01:41:38 am
Hugh! Thats cool , I'll try all of them ideas.
I did buy some rubber stamp padding and put it on a wood dowel but carving the pattern is going to take some time.
I think the sack and fishnet idea are cool and easier.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: agd68 on June 03, 2010, 08:28:20 am
Unless your really bent on making your own pattern rudderbows.com sells a fabric snake skin print backings for about 10.00. Thee different patterns of snake skin.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 03, 2010, 01:46:26 pm
after figuring on how I would have to carve all those grooves on an embosser I think I will choose the easier path with this project.
I did find something that will work But I would have to tear it apart, It's one of those bug zappers.

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Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Justin Snyder on June 03, 2010, 07:52:41 pm
Unless your really bent on making your own pattern rudderbows.com sells a fabric snake skin print backings for about 10.00. Thee different patterns of snake skin.
I don't care for the fabric at all.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: okiecountryboy on June 03, 2010, 09:01:57 pm
A fishnet stocking stretched over the bow & used as a template pruduces great scale patterns!
I don't have any pics, but I sprayed up a couple of bike gas tanks like this over the years. What works especially well is to spray flat black first, then stretch over the stocking & topcoat with gloss black. It's a very subtle, but surprisinly natural & realistic look!

Cool idea!
I'm gonna try that one...unless you have some kind of fishnet stocking rights on this. ;D
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: mullet on June 03, 2010, 09:09:23 pm
 Phillip, you can buy that size screen at most Hardware stores.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 04, 2010, 02:26:00 pm
Thanks Eddie, sure is complicated figuring how to do a california king snake, meaning the scale colors are black /white or yellow brown but inbetween that is a tan hue,Whew!
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 04, 2010, 03:15:38 pm
Well I think I have a solution, I found some mesh material on a basket and cut a piece. I then use a couple stenciling brushes.
For the backing material I will be using a double layer of Fine linen. The rest is self explanatory, looks good enough for me. The sample is not linen.  The finished project should look Better, I hope. Phillip

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Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Bevan R. on June 04, 2010, 03:38:38 pm
Looking good so far. Looking foward to a pic of the finished item!!
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 05, 2010, 06:40:59 pm
Gotter done as far as I could.
after the 2 layers of linen were applied with TB2 and dried I put an under coat of a Tan Hue, dried then stenciled the black, let it dry and applied the white. Kinda over lapped a little but I think it's ok ???
Don't know why we can't use snake skins here.

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Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: osage outlaw on June 05, 2010, 07:59:15 pm
Wow, that looks nice! 
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: NTD on June 05, 2010, 09:56:59 pm
Looks great!  You said "don't know why we can't use snake skins here".  What did you mean by that?
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: El Destructo on June 05, 2010, 10:01:10 pm
I think PK is talking about California not allowing real snake skins being used....could be wrong..... :-\
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Lombard on June 05, 2010, 10:24:44 pm
That ended up being a nice effect. Does the bow shoot well?
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: NTD on June 05, 2010, 11:03:49 pm
Thanks Mike, didn't know that....What a state....
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 05, 2010, 11:29:31 pm
thanks :) I just found out its can't import snake skins into cali.
The bow shot good before I backed it gonna give it a few days to cure.
The bow is an Osage I made a year or so ago I'll post it again soon as I get a grip on it.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Bevan R. on June 05, 2010, 11:49:48 pm
Turned out looking GREAT!!! :o
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: ohma on June 06, 2010, 10:30:56 am
very nicely done, looking forward to the finish line.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Shadow Walker on June 06, 2010, 10:59:46 pm
tHE ONION SKIN BAG works really well in conjuction with an airbrush. The effect of adding color with the airbrush makes it extremely realistic.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Postman on June 07, 2010, 11:00:33 am
What a great looking "Kingsnake" bow! Careful it doesn't eat rattler or copperhead backed bows if you're at a shoot ;D

You named it "B. B." right?
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Hillbilly on June 07, 2010, 05:10:05 pm
That looks great, Philip.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Josh on June 07, 2010, 05:11:15 pm
that's pretty awesome.  Cant wait to see it drawn!   :)
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 07, 2010, 11:56:30 pm
I finished it again, here yar Thanks for the compliments.
50#@28 64NTN

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Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: DirtyDan on June 08, 2010, 05:06:31 pm
That is really nice.  I have been using the onion sack for a template on several bows and then hand painting the scales.  Here is one.(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/mark%20copperhead/DSC_0249.jpg)(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/mark%20copperhead/DSC_0257.jpg)(http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/mark%20copperhead/DSC_0240.jpg)
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 09, 2010, 01:18:54 am
Hey Dan That's Sharp :)
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Pappy on June 09, 2010, 07:03:06 am
Looks good Phillip,turned out great.The rest of the bow looks good also. :)
   Pappy
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 09, 2010, 02:28:21 pm
Thanks Pappy,Much appreciated :)
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: Josh on June 09, 2010, 02:36:45 pm
Really nice bow there Phillip!  Tiller looks great on it.  I think I am gonna have to try that too. I love the look of California Kingsnakes.. It is my favorite snake.. Wouldn't ever think of killing one to back a bow with so this is the perfect solution... Awesome work man, I love it..  :)
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 10, 2010, 04:13:47 am
Thanks Josh, Yep I got that general rule "if ya killit ya gotta eatit" Rattler isn't to bad!
This Bow does shoot well but not as fast as the short bows Ive made,still tryin to figure that one out.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: cracker on June 10, 2010, 08:57:41 am
Wow that is cool as the dickens.
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: BearG on June 10, 2010, 10:16:47 am
Man that sweet!!!!
Title: Re: Artificial Snake skin
Post by: bowkee on June 11, 2010, 10:50:21 pm
 :)