Snake skins! Bow finished!!!

[Apex Predator]

I'm aware that most use dried skins on a bow, after re-hydrating of course.  I also seem to recall that you can use green snake skins.  I have two snakes in the freezer that I haven't skinned yet, and was thinking I could glue them on my bow fresh without drying, as long as all the flesh has been removed.  What do you pros say?  

[John Scifres]

Yes, you can.

[Pat B]

Yes you can.   I would wash the skins with Dawn dish soap to remove any oils that might be on them. I do this with all snake skins and rawhide.

[Roy Steele]

I also like to use freash skins.If I can.

[Apex Predator]

Thanks guys!

[Apex Predator]

Not sure what I did wrong, but these skins aren't dry enough to trim the edges after 12 hours.

[broketooth]

ive been skinning snakes for three seasons now and ive learned that in this humid environment that we live in ,in the south east atlantic states, that it takes about five to seven days for the skins to dry  before you can handle them without ill effects. hope this helps marty. good luck with the skins, ruddy

[Apex Predator]

Thanks Ruddy, that's kinda what I'm thinking too.  I used TB II, and they are drying, but slowly.  These skins are thick, which probably isn't helping anything.  Maybe they'll be dry enough tonight for me to trim the edges.

[stickhead]

Don't worry about trimming let them dry and sand the edges with 220 sandpaper and you will have a nice clean edge.

[Apex Predator]

At the 24 hour point last nite, my skins were dry on the edges.  Everything but the edges was still wet!  You could move the skin with your finger, feeling the slippery, wet Tight Bond II beneath.  I put my heat lamps to the limbs!  This morning they were drying much faster.  This is crazy!  I've heard folks talk like they are suppose to dry much faster than this.  You guys think it's because these skins were green?

[broketooth]

no marty its not.it just takes a while for the skins to dry. you would be surprised on how long it takes for them things to dry. be patient. when i skinned my first snake and pinned it to a board to dry i would come back every hour or so to check. thats when i figured out just set it aside and forget it for a few days. you'll see

[walkabout]

ive had skins take a week to dry before completely, it just depends on the environment. fans and a little heat will certainly help.

[fish n chicks]

It sounds like the skins prohibit the glue from releasing it's moisture at a rate we're used to. Great post Apex, I've been wanting to back a bow too and this helps. Well, so does having skins! Good luck bro. Looking forward to the final.

[Apex Predator]

I think they are finally dry, but I've been putting them under my heat lamps every morning and every night for 4-5 hours.  Five and one half days!  I think the green skins contributed to the excessive drying time.

[Dmaxshawn]

Get that bow skinned Marty.  I need to see them.  

Shawn

[Apex Predator]

I'll take you a photo.  All that's left is final sanding the bow and I'll spray her out.

[broketooth]

very cool marty , i knew it would take about 5-7 days i guess the heat lamps helped some. cant wait to see the finished product, ruddy

[Apex Predator]

The snake skins are dry and this one is ready for final sanding/finish spraying.  I'm thinking this might be the final solution for this model, cause I really like her.

[SteveD]

Nice Marty. Looks great

[fish n chicks]

That bow is wicked awesome. I love how the skins turned out. I bet she'll finish REAL nice. Good work Apex.