Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Boofus on January 31, 2013, 08:12:20 pm

Title: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: Boofus on January 31, 2013, 08:12:20 pm
So just wondering... has anyone tried out the fake "snake"skin backing available now? I got the copperhead one, and I'm curious as to some tips in applying it to the back and as to how well it turned out. To me it really doesn't look all that great, but the appeal was that it may hold down some wood fibers as well. I have this HBI that I got from ebay and it has some grain run-off on the back.
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: Weylin on January 31, 2013, 08:15:37 pm
I've never used it but I've seen several bows posted on here with it and I thought they looked great. I think once you finish the bow it will look a lot snazzier. good luck
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: JonW on January 31, 2013, 08:23:11 pm
The only issue I had with it was trimming the edges. It kept wanting to fray badly. I used a VERY fine metal file and that did the trick. The fabric looks much better with a finish over it.
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: Boofus on January 31, 2013, 08:39:39 pm
Thanks JonW! pics to follow this weekend...
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: JW_Halverson on January 31, 2013, 08:43:59 pm
From the 6 or so bows I have seen posted it looks pretty good.  But then it will also depend on the level of skill in applying the fabric backing, too.  I have two sets of the copperheads and will be laying them on a bow some day!
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: Boofus on January 31, 2013, 11:01:11 pm
Thanks JW_Halverson, How's those Black hills right now BTW? I sure do miss it there, got my first primitive deer out off of Nemo road too!
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: kid bow on January 31, 2013, 11:30:08 pm
arnt they made of like linen  or canvas the fake skins???
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: Youngboyer2(billyf) on February 01, 2013, 12:13:04 am
Just not the same, there is no snake like texture, I don't think it does a nice bow justice
-Billy
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: Boofus on February 01, 2013, 12:38:20 am
KidBow: I dunno what they are made of, but they are really strong!!!

YoungBowyer2: You're right, there is NO snake like texture! And the color seems off to me too, but I'm stationed up in North Dakota and I've had experience with cold... and broken bows! lol! The idea is to kill two birds with one stone, make the hickory backing a bit safer and add some camo for hunting purposes. Real snakeskin will not help with holding splinters down...
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: dmc on February 01, 2013, 01:16:09 am
Someone mentioned on one of the posts that they glued fiberglass sheet rock tape on first before they  added the fake skins in order to give them a slight texture. I thought that it sounded like a good idea.
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: autologus on February 01, 2013, 09:57:46 am
Here is my first bow, its not that great but you can see what they look like.  They are printed on what appears to be to be a poly/cotton blend of fabric.  They are not bad and look OK, but they do not have any texture and I would not put them on a top end bow.

(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/autologus/20120904_184758.jpg)

Grady
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: JonW on February 01, 2013, 10:00:44 am
That's easy enough for me. I don't make top end bows!! :-\
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: Boofus on February 01, 2013, 02:28:05 pm
JonW: you beat me to saying that! none of my bows are top end either! :laugh:
Autologus: WOW that sure turned out well!
DMC: nice idea, I may just have to test that out and see how I like it...
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: tattoo dave on February 01, 2013, 03:02:20 pm
I've had good success with them. I use expoy to glue them down instead of titebond, or any other wood glue. That seemed to fix the fraying problem.

Tattoo Dave
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: John D on February 01, 2013, 04:07:33 pm
I've had good success with them. I use expoy to glue them down instead of titebond, or any other wood glue. That seemed to fix the fraying problem.

Tattoo Dave

Hey Dave, Which epoxy did you use? did you thin? 

Thank you,

John

Boise
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: vinemaplebows on February 01, 2013, 08:40:04 pm
That looks great to me, and you don't have to worry about getting bit!
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: toomanyknots on February 01, 2013, 09:00:52 pm
You know what yall should check out, is this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2d_z2OWEs4

This guy does a really nice snake skin paint job on his pvc bow. I think I would go with this before the fabric, even though the fabric does look nice, IMO, it is pretty darn expensive considering it is a very small fraction of fabric. If it is not real anyway, why not embrace the fact it is not real, and get artistic with it?  :)
Title: Re: Fake-skin backing?
Post by: tattoo dave on February 01, 2013, 09:40:49 pm
I use system three epoxy for everything. It's pretty expensive, but It's awesome for any laminate bows, and I have plenty of it. So put some on the back, lay down the fabric, apply a little extra on top of the fabric, and work it in and smooth it out with your fingers ( wear gloves). Wrap the fabric around the sides just a little, when it's dry you can just sand the edges smooth. That's what works for me anyway.

Tattoo Dave