Snake skin backing question

[ricktrojanowski]

I'm about to back an osage bow with some skins and was wondering if it is a good idea to black out the back of the bow with permanent marker first.  I've read that some do this to make the colors of the skin more vibrant.  The idea seems a little scary to me as far as glue adhesion not to mention using permanent marker on a wooden bow.  What do you guys think?  I was planning on using Titebond liquid hide glue as Gordons most awesome buildalong showed.


Thanks
Rick

[Lost Arra]

I would not color the osage with anything.

Here is an osage I backed with bull snake. I like the way the osage shows thru :





This is a beauty made by Dano that I was fortunate to acquire (crappy photo by me):

[Justin Snyder]

If you don't black out the back on lighter woods you risk the snakeskins fading out. I guess its your decision as to if it is dark enough already.  I don't know about perminant marker though. If you go through Gordon's buildalong on the top of the build along page, you can see how he does it and more importantly, he explains why.  Justin

[ricktrojanowski]

Those are both beautiful bows.  I hope mine comes out half as nice.  I see what you mean about the osage coming thru. 

[Pat B]

I have never blackened a bow back before skinning it. Like Lost Arra said I like the looks without blacking.     Pat

[Lost Arra]

Gordon's bows are works of art. I would check out his build along too.

There's more than one way to skin a bow.   

[Gordon]

Thank you for the compliment LA. But those bows of yours are really something - wow!!

[bootboy]

whats the hendle wrapped with on that Osage bull snake bow? It looks really great
Man!! I love coming Here!

[Lost Arra]

bootboy: that's 2mm (~1/8") leather lace wrapped exactly like a string serving.
I build up some areas with leather if needed before wrapping.
I then cover it with the same paste wax I periodically use on the bow.

My stitched leather grips or skivved leather grips usually look like a failed kindergarten crafts project so I went to this.
It's easy to do, easy to remove and hides my poor leatherworking skills.