I just finished up applying some copperhead skins to a snakey Osage bow and they weren't long enough to reach the tips. How do you guys finish out the ends? Could you guys post some pics of some? Right now mine are just squared off. I'm thinking of just wrapping with thread like I've seen PatB do before, but I'm not sure I want the thread to show on the underside of the bow.

Here's some I've done John. I don't care for the wrap myself.

Thanks Dano, I like the top one the best. That's what I'm thinking of doing. These were some copperheads I harvested this year and they were exactly the same length and exactly 2 inches too short.     I think it really gives it a good effect though.

I have an osage bow Dano gave me and he cut out along the outlined the scales on the end to make a very cool termination without a wrap.

Pat, I forgot about that, I should have taken pictures.   :rolleyes:   I think that will only work on a bigger snake, like the timber rattler.

I'll try to get a pic or two today and post them later.

I have done that exact same thing with some of mine.  I had some skins laying around for a long time, which gave opportunity for the bugs and mice to get a hold of it and destroy.  I took the bug eaten skin and cut geometric shapes like lightning bolt pattern, diamond, etc. and used it for decoration up and down the limb symetrically.  This wouldn't work too well if you was trying to hide sinew or some other backing, but that looks really cool if you don't have enough skin to finish one out.

Here re pics of the top and bottom limb tips with the skin(timber rattler)termination cut out around the scale pattern instead of straight across or into a point.

Bottom limb


top limb

If you have a snake skin from another snake, say a blacksnake you can put this on the end.  I saw one Dean Torges did this way. Dark skin would look better with Copperhead I think.

Dan

Thanks Guys. Pat I may have to try that with a timber I have in the freezer. I got 'em finished up today and ended up doin' 'em like Dano's first pic. Soon as I get the next 6-8coats of Tru-Oil on it I'll get some pics posted.