Snake skins from pine hollow

[StoneAK]

I just wanted to thank everyone for letting me know about Mike Yancy and Pine hollow longbows. He sent me the most beautiful rattlesnake skins today.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I got a pair of 37" Diamondbacks on a trade that I'm just dying to use! I'm going to make sure the bow will stand the test of about 500 shots before I put these awesome skins on it. I'll shoot it for a solid month everyday if I have to, then it will get skinned.

I do love those snake skinned bows!  

[StoneAK]

I am going to put these on a sinew backed maple recurve I am working on right now. I have been steaming and bending and steaming and bending. I just sinewed it earlier today so hopefully in a few days those skins will be sitting pretty on that bow.

[ranger 3]

I think I would let the sinew dry longer.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Sweet combo Les! I agree with ranger3. Let that sinew dry at least a few weeks before you seal her up with skins and finish. If that wood has too much moisture in it when you skin it, it will take set on you. I just finished a hickory bow like yours, I waited 3 weeks before I even strung it. So far so good! Be sure to post pics of that beauty when your done.

[StoneAK]

Will do thanks

[Art B]

I've not had any luck sinewing maple. Wishing you luck on yours......Art

[Walt Francis]

Mike has always provided me with great snake skins.  I highly recommend him to my bow students for supplies.

[Beanbag]

Well, You guys got me going.I have a set of limbs coming in for my Heartstopper. Black glass, couldn't resist putting some prarie rattler on them.Talked with Mike, today great guy, very helpful.We'll see how it goes , my first try at it.Already picked up the Tru-oil. Jim G

[StoneAK]

Art B,
    What kind of troubles did you have out of your maple when you sinewed it?

[Art B]

I tried two sinew backed maple and the sinew crushed their bellies right now. First one I figured I applied to much sinew, so on the second one I trapped the sides real heavy, using much less sinew, but that didn't work either. My buddy tried one and he had the same result.

I've also seen on these boards where maple isn't reccommeded for sinewing. Results vary so you may get lucky. Please let us know how yours turns out........Art

[AkDan]

I am curious In Jacks book he mentions using tanned skins for bow backing, when everyone else uses dried...why is this?

[StoneAK]

Tanned skins have a leather like inside that makes a decent backing where dried skins are brittle and are used more for decoration than a backing.