Got my snake skins from the ranch.. Advice needed!

[Capt]

Edded up tut ranch an picked mi up mi skins this aft..... (i can spell thats just typing in Yorkshire Speak)

I traded with a ranch buddy of mine a 2 gallons of Gas for his konked out truck and 500 pesos ($40) for 9 rattlesnake skins a Mountain Cat skin and a Badger....

Dont know what to do with the badger and the cat?....maybe string silencers? i'm sticking the rattlers on my newly finished bow.....

What a pain trying to keep the air from under the skins... they were a bit crusty so i soaked em in water for about an hour before i started but they kept wanting to raise in certain spots because of the contour of the back of the bow... i devised a method that got me through but would love some advice from ya-all....?

Advice on what to do with a Cat and a Badger wouldn't be bad either? :embarassed:

Here are some Pics, i'll post finished pics tomorrow...

[bubby]

I wrap my skins with an ace bandage, are the skins dry, if not fold them flesh side together wrap them up and put them in the freezer till you figure it out or stretch them and get them dry

[Capt]

What do you all think is best to finish the skin? another coat of TB III over the top or just wipe it down with oil?

[adb]

Rub the scales off first with your thumb, or use your fingernail GENTLY. Rub towards the tail (tip). I use a wipe on polyurethane to give them just a hint of gloss, so they look 'alive.'

[4dog]

 Cat and badger,, Make a quiver or two.

[Dances with squirrels]

I made a Lakota style side quiver with a badger skin... feet and claws still on it... leather and rattlesnake skin strap... deer antler buttons..... turkey feathers, etc.

[JonW]

For future reference, tack the snake skins down to a board with thumb tacks while drying. They will lay flat that way when you rehydrate them before gluing down.
Definitely try a quiver with the badger and a bow sock with the cat.

[danny f]

looks like some nice stuff you got. where abouts in yorkshire you from im from lancashire. i take it you dont live there now?

[Capt]

It seems to have come out pretty we'll but definitely some good advice for next time... i'm thinking of the quiver idea for the other skins... i have some raw hide too.....

Probably going to save the badger or cat for making string silencers... Thaks adb for the polyurethane advice... wouldn't TB III work in the same way?

[Mad Max]

NO GLUE on top of the skins

[Capt]

So what's the verdict on a finish to put on my snake skins?

I have had a few suggestions so far:

#1, nothing, leave them bare.

#2, oil - I have hemp oil

#3, polyurethane, I have TB polyurethane adhesive.

#4, yacht varnish.

Votes on these or any other suggestions much appreciated...

[TRACY]

Tru oil. Rub on 3-4 coats and call it good.  Quivers! Use beaver,muskrat or mink for string silencers. Those hides would make better quivers than silencers.

Tracy

[H Rhodes]

Tru oil. Rub on 3-4 coats and call it good.  Quivers! Use beaver,muskrat or mink for string silencers. Those hides would make better quivers than silencers.

Tracy

X2!  polyurethane has worked well for me too.

[Capt]

i couldn't find tru oil so i went for the polyurethane.......

about to apply a second coat..... it's looking real good.... will post when its done!!

[chamookman]

I'd be making a Hat out that Badger hide for sure ! Bob