Tanned snake skin

[Mad Max]

I have a tanned snake skin, is there anything i need to do to it before i glue it on my bow?
it's thicker and leathery 

[Josh B]

They'll work fine Mark.  They are a little more difficult to get bent around the really tight curves, but it can be done.  It just takes a lot more patience.  Be careful of wrinkles on the tight bends.  Josh

[Mad Max]

Thanks Doc
can i soak them and scrape them?

[Josh B]

You can soak em.  There's no need to scrape em.  They're only thicker because  the tanning fluffs the skin. Once your glue dries they'll be no thicker than green skins.  Josh

[Mad Max]

You can soak em.  There's no need to scrape em.  They're only thicker because  the tanning fluffs the skin. Once your glue dries they'll be no thicker than green skins.  Josh

Thanks
 

[Josh B]

Any time Sir!  Josh

[bubby]

I soak some of mine in glycerin it will darken the really light skins and makes the pattern pop, wash'em in dawn and rinse and their good to go

[Mad Max]

I soak some of mine in glycerin it will darken the really light skins and makes the pattern pop, wash'em in dawn and rinse and their good to go

Like for your hands???
i was going to darken under them with something?
it's going on a molly on the working part of the limbs, so darkening the skin would be better.

[warpath]

Mad Max- I do all of the above and then wrap them in shrink wrap. It helps with those tough curves and rounded backs that some self-bows have. Then set it in the sun for about 3 hours, unwrap, and let sit for another 24 hours or however long it takes whatever glue you're using to cure.

  G