Author Topic: leather tanned snake backing (Read 2039 times)

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.

Pat B · « **Reply #1 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.

Pappy · « **Reply #2 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

Arrowbuster · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2016, 06:12:51 am »

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

Pappy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2016, 06:16:44 am »

Much better choice .

Pappy

PEARL DRUMS · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:19:17 am »

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

Bryce · « **Reply #6 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.

Pat B · « **Reply #7 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.

Bryce · « **Reply #8 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

Primitive Archer