Anyone ever tried backing with a tanned snakeskin, rather than just dried?

[Taxus brevifolia]

If so, how'd it go

[Pat B]

Bows can be backed with tanned skins but IMO, the tanned skin can act like a sponge and absorb moisture. I've done 1 or 2 over the years but greatly prefer dried skins.

[upstatenybowyer]

What Pat said. 

[Taxus brevifolia]

Thanks guys

[gutpile]

only way to do it is soak in dawn hot water for a few hours ring out well.....rinse well then let air dry like regular skin... tanning does bring out the color on some ... my prettiest skin is a tan timberback..looks awesome.. gut

[Pat B]

Depends on the tanning solution. If antifreeze is used, yes what gutpile said, basically that is just a cure and not tanning. But if chrome tanned or other commercial tanning solutions is used what I said applies.

[vinemaplebows]

Soak in acetone, strips them well.

[Taxus brevifolia]

This time of year they're harder to find, so I ended up buying a couple dried ones. Quite nice.

The reason I asked is, snakeskins of all types are readily available online, but they're all tanned.