Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: backwoodsguy on June 11, 2020, 02:02:50 pm

Title: I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???
Post by: backwoodsguy on June 11, 2020, 02:02:50 pm
Twenty or thirty years ago my hobby was snakes, not primitive bows. Someone gave me a live python (like the ones now taking over the Everglades in Florida). As near as I can remember, it was around nine feet long and had become a real liability so I dispatched it instead of letting it loose to mess up the environment. I salted it down and put it in the refrigerator until today. I've made up a salt solution to rehydrate it, then plan on rinsing the salt out after it gets soft. The question is "will it still be usable as a backing for a bow?". Any ideas???
Title: Re: I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???
Post by: Hamish on June 11, 2020, 09:35:29 pm
Don't see why it wouldn't work. I guess you'll have to thaw it out and try it.
Title: Re: I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???
Post by: PatM on June 11, 2020, 11:23:26 pm
I think you need to clean your fridge more often.
Title: Re: I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???
Post by: Hamish on June 12, 2020, 12:10:01 am
Check the use by date on the snake:)
Title: Re: I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???
Post by: DC on June 12, 2020, 09:36:08 am
You don't really say if it's just the skin or if the whole snake has been in there for twenty years ;D ;D
Title: Re: I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???
Post by: bradsmith2010 on June 12, 2020, 09:48:35 am
it wont be a backing,, it will only serve as decoration,, you could put it over sinew or rawhide backing,, it should be enough for several bows,,
Title: Re: I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???
Post by: Pat B on June 12, 2020, 10:02:57 am
I would thaw it out, remove the salt with repeated soaking and rinsing then evaluate what you have. It may be just fine if not too freezer burnt.
Title: Re: I'm fix'in to dry a twenty year old snake skin. QUESTION???
Post by: Hawkdancer on June 12, 2020, 11:37:21 am
Only 20 years!  Shucks, I got a cow hide been in the freezer, at least 25 years!  I hope to make rawhide with it after we get moved!  Good luck with the snake skin!
Hawkdancer