snakeskin backing? dried or tanned?

[RedBear1313]

Hi all.

Who has experience and advice on backing with snakeskins?  specific question about tanned/air dried.

the next bow I will be completing I will be backing with snakeskin.

I hear some people say they prefer air dried over tanned because the tanning process can cause problems.

the skins I have acquired are from snake meat factory so I'm assuming they are tanned, they're quite like leather.

any advice/tips on how to approach a tanned skin?

[Pat B]

Dried skins work better but tanned will do. Ask at the factory about getting green or raw skins. You don't have to get dries. If you are ready to use them they can go on green or you can dry them for using later.

[bjrogg]

Redbear1313 I've only used air dried skins. I believe guys do use tanned skins but I think the oils used for tanning can effect the glue. I really can't say though. I'm sure someone will give you some more information. Do you know what type of snakes they are? Most types are very thin and cosmetic backing only. I may be wrong but I've heard Boa is thicker and could possibly even help protect your back.
Bjrogg

[Pat B]

From my experience, tanned skins are spongy and can absorb excess finish and possibly moisture later.
BJ, some folks tan snakes skins with car antifreeze(not really tanning, more like curing) and the glycerin can prevent the glue from working well.

[RedBear1313]

it's viper skin and I tried posting a pic but didn't work.

what if you size the skin with glue first?

also is there any way of cleaning/degreasing to remove glycerin?

and also I planned on giving my wax finish after it's all said and done.

I'm pretty sure this is from a snake meat factory so I'm guessing they use something better than antifreeze.

[Pat B]

They probably use a commercial tanning solution. With these commercial tanning solutions the skin becomes leather which is very porous, sponge like. Like I said, you can use tanned skins but I prefer not to.
If you remove the glycerin you remove the curing material. Antifreeze is glycerin and alcohol. Once the alcohol dissipates the glycerin remains as a cure for the skin.
With any skin or rawhide backing you want a good sealing agent for a finish. Shellac, varnish or similar. I use Tru-Oil, a gun stock finish. You can wax over any of these though.

[RedBear1313]

my bow finish--beeswax and pine pitch.

??

[Pat B]

Probably not good for attaching a snake skin unless you put the skin down first. You'd be better off with a more modern finish for your bow with snake skin backing.
FYI...I like to use 2 skins, one for each limb and put them down separately. With some skins the pattern is so you could cut it in half lengthwise and add a half to each limb with then meeting at the center of the handle.

[RedBear1313]

oh that's not what I intend to use to glue the skin to the bow lol----I'm going to use actual glue, just haven't decided which.

suggestions?
 this is also going to be sinew backed.

that's the finish I have used on my bare wood bow and thought it would work well for this one too, after it's all completed.

the skin I have is large enough for my bow with extra.
my plan is to cut the skin in half with a joint in the handle's center, because the pattern closer to the ends is smaller and will fit the narrow limbs better.
that will also leave me some skin for other uses.
then I have some cowhide that is stamped with a snakeskin pattern, I'm going to use the belly portion to cover the handle, which will cover the seam in the actual skins glued down.

[Pat B]

If you have already added the bees wax and pine pitch to the bow the glue probably will not adhere.
What glues do you have available? Hide glue should work well but other synthetic glues should work well also.

[ohma2]

Absolutely ,air dried

[ntvbowyer1969]

I prefer air dried skins for backing bows. To me they seemed a lot easier after glue up to remove the scales. Also as someone has mentioned they will stick better to bow. I use titebond 3 for glue.

[RedBear1313]

If you have already added the bees wax and pine pitch to the bow the glue probably will not adhere.
What glues do you have available? Hide glue should work well but other synthetic glues should work well also.

no no no. beeswax AFTER I finish the bow.

I have hide glue I made for the sinew but I figured I should use a commercial glue for the skin.

also, what kind of glue would you recommend for glue on nock tips?
I am adding some wenge nock tips.

Is there anything I can do to the skin to help it stick?

[Pat B]

It will depend on whether the skin is dried(green) or tanned. For rawhide and dried snake skins I prefer hide glue but carpenters white or yellow glue works well and that's what most folks use.

[RedBear1313]

if you use natural hide glue is there a possibility that the skin could absorb some moisture and begin to peel off?