Author Topic: Gar skin  (Read 3598 times)

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Offline Morgan

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Gar skin
« on: June 13, 2018, 06:04:26 pm »
Ok, I’ve done a search of the site and can find nothing definitive. Can gar skin be used as bow backing? Paddled a creek yesterday to sight fish for carp but they wouldn’t bite. The longnose gar were in thick many over 5’. I’ve cleaned hundreds of these fish that I’ve shot for the table. The skin is hard and stiff. Can’t imagine the outside “scales” coming off, so I’m wondering if it can be put in a bow back with no ill consequence? Would love to hear from someone who has tried.

Offline upstatenybowyer

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2018, 08:03:58 pm »
Never tried them myself, but there's no reason you shouldn't. Let us know how they work.  (-P
"Even as the archer loves the arrow that flies, so too he loves the bow that remains constant in his hands."

Nigerian Proverb

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2018, 08:06:58 pm »
I've never held a gar in person but I would think that the tough skin and the thick scales would add weight to the limbs and hurt performance. 
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline GlisGlis

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2018, 02:33:19 am »
Looks like it's tough stuff
googled gar skins and the results show nice knife sheats and boots
for bow it's maybe on the heavy side but i'd try it

Offline Morgan

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2018, 07:35:05 am »
Does anyone know if you can remove the hard exterior scales from the skin? I’ve never tried, but the ones I’ve cleaned it sure seems to be connected to stay.

Offline Springbuck

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2018, 08:18:31 pm »
Morgan, I don't know anybody who has done this, but I remember discussion about this from years ago on the "stickbow.com" forum.

  The general idea I remember was just that......the skin is tough and stiff enough, but gar scales are large, thick, and bony, and are partially imbedded in the skin itself making them very hard to remove.   I'm sure there is a way, but how to, without damaging the skin itself, I don't know.

Offline Ryan Jacob

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2018, 08:48:50 am »
Morgan, I don't know anybody who has done this, but I remember discussion about this from years ago on the "stickbow.com" forum.

  The general idea I remember was just that......the skin is tough and stiff enough, but gar scales are large, thick, and bony, and are partially imbedded in the skin itself making them very hard to remove.   I'm sure there is a way, but how to, without damaging the skin itself, I don't know.
You’re gonna need a surgeon at this rate >:D

Offline Morgan

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2018, 11:50:57 am »
Everything I can find about prepping them for leather goods is with the scales on. I’m going to try it and see what comes. I’d like to get a spotted gar long enough as they have a pretty pattern, but I’m probably going to be stuck with the more plain longnose as I’ve never seen a spotted gar long enough. I’ll take tater to a little creek close to the house that’s loaded with spotted and shortnose gar. If he can catch one, I’ll put it on a bow back for him as an experiment.

Offline Springbuck

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2018, 06:05:57 pm »
  You know what would be badder than bad?  Find a nice big fish, skin it whole from the head back, including some fins, and make a QUIVER with the scales on!  An armored quiver!

  Maybe a cool scaled handle wrap? 

Offline Morgan

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2018, 07:37:06 pm »
  You know what would be badder than bad?  Find a nice big fish, skin it whole from the head back, including some fins, and make a QUIVER with the scales on!  An armored quiver!

  Maybe a cool scaled handle wrap?

Already had the quiver in mind bud. The gar that are usually in the little creek down the road weren’t there today. I’ll take a trip to pryor creek Wednesday and get em for sure.

Offline ajooter

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #10 on: June 17, 2018, 06:35:55 am »
You could always accent the non working parts of the bow with the skin.  I think fish skins are really cool on a bow.

Offline osage outlaw

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #11 on: June 17, 2018, 07:10:19 am »
A gar quiver would be cool.  Especially if you could incorporate the skull somehow.
I started out with nothin' and I still got most of it left

Offline Mounter

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #12 on: June 17, 2018, 10:23:51 am »
IM Not sure about post links to other sites, but there was a build along on another archery site

Offline M2A

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #13 on: June 17, 2018, 08:49:46 pm »
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.  (-P 

Offline GlisGlis

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Re: Gar skin
« Reply #14 on: June 18, 2018, 11:56:09 am »
take pictures
many piuctures  :OK

 )F(