Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Andrea S on April 09, 2008, 01:31:38 pm

Title: Snakeskin question
Post by: Andrea S on April 09, 2008, 01:31:38 pm
I was considering purchasing a snakeskin from eBay (since I can't seem to find anyone willing to trade me for what I'm looking for, which would preferably be garter snake or some other type of brightly or uniquely colored snake in a similar fashion) but it's a back cut snake skin, meaning the interesting pattern you're looking at is actually the belly scales of the snake. Does this present a problem when using it as a backing over sinew, or does it lay down just like a normal skin?

Thanks,
Andrea
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: artcher1 on April 09, 2008, 02:03:28 pm
I done a few with that type of skin you mention and it works fine. Only sinewed bow I put one on I left the sinew uncovered and used the skin on the belly of the bow. Named it "Slider" ;D.-ART B
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: Aries on April 09, 2008, 06:01:47 pm
I am going to be going on a snake hunt here pretty soon to dig up some cotton mouths ;D I here their skins are Greecer than other skins, what processes should i go about while prepairing and applying these Black skins to an Osage bow?  Ty
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: Pat B on April 09, 2008, 06:32:51 pm
Ty, scrape the flesh and fat off of the inside and tack them up, scale side down, and let them dry. You can degrease the skins with acetone or alcohol before gluing them down.     Pat
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: kayakfisher on April 09, 2008, 11:29:24 pm
Andrea lets us know how it turns out my wife wants me too build her a bow Osage with a green back snake skin of some sort
                                       Dennis
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: El Destructo on April 10, 2008, 12:26:29 am
Andrea...the bigger Belly Scales don't like to lay down as nice as the Back an Side Scales do....what kind of Snake is it??? Is it a raw Hide....or is it tanned?? If tanned...how was it tanned....these are all necessary Questions...because a Glycerin Tanned Skin will not stick...unless properly deoiled....and Chemical Tanned Skins ...only add looks ...no strength....they are too thin and have no stretch to them.... I would help you out...but all I have right now is 20 Rattler and 2 Black Cobras....the Snakes are still underground here....will be another Month before they are out and about.....good luck......Yankee
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: hawkbow on April 10, 2008, 01:35:55 am
I know where a winter nest of garter snakes is but will be a month before it thaws enough to get you some .. Hawk a/ho
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: Lost Arra on April 10, 2008, 08:02:42 pm
I think Aries is the first person I've heard of that was actually looking for cottonmouths!  YIKES!

I only kill copperheads because they are so dangerous due to their terrific camo and their tendency to hang around the house.
I'd probably kill mocs too if we had some around here.
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: El Destructo on April 10, 2008, 10:50:39 pm
Cottonmouths will Chase you back....so be ready....I have never seen anything as Mean as an Oklahoma Water Moccasin.....they will climb in the Boat with you...for the Fish you bring in....I have beat them to death with a Boat Oar before!!
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: Andrea S on April 10, 2008, 10:58:12 pm
My goodness!! Almost makes you feel bad for goin' after garter snakes, they don't harm anybody!
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: El Destructo on April 10, 2008, 11:02:36 pm
My goodness!! Almost makes you feel bad for goin' after garter snakes, they don't harm anybody!

Yeah...but a Garter Snake is soo much nicer to look at than a  Moccasin is.....
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: huntertrapper on April 10, 2008, 11:36:03 pm
how bout black snakes. we see them in summer usually hit by cars and i bet they would make a cool lookin backing.
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: El Destructo on April 10, 2008, 11:36:50 pm
how bout black snakes. we see them in summer usually hit by cars and i bet they would make a cool lookin backing.

What is a Black Snake??? Moc's are Black....so are Pine Snakes ....
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: sailordad on April 10, 2008, 11:37:49 pm
sounds like it could be a tar snake.lol ;D :D
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: Hickoryswitch on April 10, 2008, 11:43:35 pm
Yankee i'm not sure what they're real name is but we call them Black snakes here too.  They're a nonpoisonous snake that is usually between 3 or 4 feet. Solid black in color with a lighter belly.

Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: Hillbilly on April 10, 2008, 11:49:48 pm
They're a black rat snake, known in other color phases as chicken snakes or yellow rat snakes. They just come in standard black with a white belly here. I've seen a few 7-8' long and nearly big around as your wrist back in the day, but you don't see any of the really big ones anymore. Everybody around here used to keep them in their barns to eat rats. I've got a salvaged roadkill one that'll wind up on a bow at some point.
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: huntertrapper on April 12, 2008, 12:35:32 am
yeah sounds like the one im talkin about. hickry, yep non poisinos and get really big some times. could back a English longbow. :D
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: Aries on April 14, 2008, 05:41:45 pm
Dang! 7-8' :o   That sounds like that would be a better bet than goin after those mean ol,(and poisoness) mocs.  I don't know of any around here though :-[  Ty
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: Justin Snyder on April 14, 2008, 07:57:49 pm


I only kill copperheads because they are so dangerous due to their terrific camo and their tendency to hang around the house.
I'd probably kill mocs too if we had some around here.
I'm sure glad nothing is hunting people just because we are dangerous. We are the most deadly species on the planet and probably serve less purpose than most.  I never kill snakes unless they are in real close proximity to kids, and I plan to eat them.  Justin
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: DanaM on April 14, 2008, 09:28:30 pm
Yooper Pine snakes aren't balck ??? sounds like ya been in texas too long :o ;) ;D
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: welch2 on April 14, 2008, 09:31:37 pm
Here's a black snake on one of my bows.

(http://www.freebirdarchery.com/images/bow02.jpg)

Ralph
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: kayakfisher on April 14, 2008, 09:39:56 pm
Well dang Justin it would take a mighty big bow to put us on , I want the upper limp it doesn't get  nicked, or drug in the dirt as much
                                                        Dennis



I'm sure glad nothing is hunting people just because we are dangerous. We are the most deadly species on the planet and probably serve less purpose than most.  I never kill snakes unless they are in real close proximity to kids, and I plan to eat them.  Justin
Title: Re: Snakeskin question
Post by: El Destructo on April 14, 2008, 11:11:24 pm
Yooper Pine snakes aren't balck ??? sounds like ya been in texas too long :o ;) ;D

Wa'll  I didn't say Yooper Pine Snakes....and I didn't mean solid Black either....Black like a Black Cobra....