Love the look you guys get on your bows with all the cool snake skins but due to our punitive regulations and not Having a spare $20,000 laying around to risk on being prosecuted, I was wondering about the artificial ones I just saw on 3 Rivers site.Anyone here used them and if so what are the thoughts on them.easy to apply, any tricks to applying etc?

I ordered a set not knowing what to expect. They are snake print on thin cloth. I threw mine away.

Just my opinion.

You can get quality real rattlers (and others)from Gary Davis or Mike Yancy.

They are dull looking when you get them. After you put them on it brings out the color. I use titebond III. I spread the glue with my finger and lay the cloth out, wipe with a damp cloth till I like what I see. Let dry for a couple days them spray a clear coat over them.
I would give them a try.

Keith

I used them on my trade bow last year. put them on with titebond 3 then trimmed with a razor knife. put on several coats of teak oil let dry well trimmed and sanded sides. finished with 3 coats of sand and seal. they looked good the teak oil makes the color pop and brings some life to them. Don't work them much before the oil they will fray. I will use again on a bow for myself.

I wet them first while put a  light smooth coat of titlebond 3 on the bow - let it set a while you put another light coat on the "skins" then apply. Smooth with your finger and push out any excess glue....let dry - trim with a sharp razor blade....4 light coats of tru-oil and you have a hard time telling the difference between real and the cloth version from across the room....

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Glenn

Sounds like it might be worth a try.. Very similar process to when I  backed a board bow I made with jute too so all good. Thanks to all.

Just curious, could you posess snake skins from a species that does not occur in Australia ? If you had a statement of origin showing they were legally taken ?

Plenty of chinese made bows on Fleaybay with 'snake skins' as backing on the site over here.I am not sure of the legal process with regards to your question snakewood [ how appropriate for the subject!] but I know of others who have imported bows with skins on without any apparent problems.

I saw a bow with tigerlook- just printed on usual paper and laminated under clear glass. Shall do same as thin cloth and there is not any border on your desired design.
I haven`t tested it myself so far but it could be a very cheap and easy substitute even for finest wood veneers....

Took a quick pic with my phone this morning....so appologies for that but this will give you an idea of the look....Bear Tigercat that needed some attention.....

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Glenn

Personally having used several snakeskins over the years, I'm curious.  They look great!  I'm wondering how colorfast they are after some time in the sun?

mark....I don't know about fading...just did the cloth thing couple of weeks ago...I'm still working tru-oil into the riser back of the limbs

for comparison ....here is a pic of the real deal that I recently skinned a bruin with...

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Glenn

Do these slow down arrow speed?

Could a person lay these on a backed bow and then glue Tip overlays afterwards and if so what glue to use ?  TB3?? The reason being to avoid an abrupt ledge at the tips. Thanks.