Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Arrowbuster on February 04, 2016, 08:50:58 pm

Title: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: Arrowbuster on February 04, 2016, 08:50:58 pm

I would like to know if anybody has backed a bow with a tanned snakeskin? I have one that is at least 3 to 4 times the thickness of an air dried skin. Im just curious what you guys think.

Title: Re: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: Pat B on February 04, 2016, 11:40:28 pm

I've done it but won't again. The sponge-like consistency of a tanned skin can absorb too much glue, slowing limb recovery. Use the tanned skin in a quiver or other leatherwork and stick with dried skins for bow backing.

Title: Re: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: Pappy on February 05, 2016, 04:14:30 am

Depending on what it was tanned with you will probably have trouble with gluing it down also, I with Pat B ,air dried only for me on a bow back.  ;)
 Pappy

Title: Re: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: Arrowbuster on February 05, 2016, 06:12:51 am

That's the kind of info I need to know. I will just rawhide back it.

Title: Re: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: Pappy on February 05, 2016, 06:16:44 am

Much better choice . ;)
 Pappy

Title: Re: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: PEARL DRUMS on February 05, 2016, 09:19:17 am

I tried once and didn't care for it. I'm sure somebody loves them tanned.

Title: Re: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: Bryce on February 05, 2016, 12:38:55 pm

I've done it and actually didn't mind it. I used dawn and warm water to wash out the oils that preserve the skin and glued it down like regular snake rawhide.

Title: Re: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: Pat B on February 05, 2016, 02:10:51 pm

Bryce, what kind of tanning was done on the skins you were talking about. If it was with glycol(antifreeze) then it isn't actually tanned but just a curing. Those skins come out more like dried skins but they do have to be cleaned well to remove the glycerin. Tanned skins are thicker and very absorbent.

Title: Re: leather tanned snake backing
Post by: Bryce on February 05, 2016, 06:06:15 pm

I'm not sure how it was tanned but it was labeled 'tanned python'  I washed it and treated it like it was just regular snake rawhide. Came out good


(http://i1346.photobucket.com/albums/p696/Bryce_Ott/4E05FF30-66D0-413C-9ED2-8A916D5421EC_zpsqsf375jg.jpg) (http://s1346.photobucket.com/user/Bryce_Ott/media/4E05FF30-66D0-413C-9ED2-8A916D5421EC_zpsqsf375jg.jpg.html)