A Little Roadkill

[bjrogg]

Been awhile since I posted any bows. Been working on a Hop Hornbeam and I think I’m finished with it for now. Might airbrush some designs on the belly yet but not until the owner shoots it and sees if the weight is good.

It’s 55lbs @ 28”
67” ntn

Hop Hornbeam, water buffalo horn tips, black leather handle wrap laced with blue and red d-97. Same as the bow string.

I had a couple roadkill garner skins . I have tried this combination before and really liked it. Since then I pick up every roadkill I find.

The roadkill is a bit tricky to work with as it had chunks missing, holes and tears. I just had to get a little creative applying them. I went for the distressed look.

Bjrogg

[bjrogg]

Profiles

[tattoo dave]

Great looking bow, Nice work!

[bentstick54]

Great job. That bow came out very nice.

[superdav95]

Awesome lookin bow.  Very nice tiller.  I’ve also collected road kill too.  I’m waiting on a matching garder snake road kill for a complete set of skins for a bow.   It’s interesting how the Color changes on those snake s. 

[bjrogg]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the kind words.

I have been having trouble replying to post both on this site and leatherwall. I have wanted to reply many times to others threads and not been able to. I couldn’t even reply to this thread at first. I think I might have figured something out so hopefully I can fix that problem now.

Thanks Dave. I do really like the markings on the garners. They really pop on the white wood.

I have my eyes open for an eastern milk snake to match another roadkill I have.

Bjrogg

[Pappy]

Nice job BJ, tiller looks great and love the skins.
 Pappy

[Eric Krewson]

I love that tiller!

Like you I have had to get creative with damaged snake skins. If I have a hole or tear, I cut a piece of scrap from the trimmings with the same size scales as the hole, orient the patch direction to be exactly like the surrounding scales, put a small drop of superglue in the opening and press the patch into place. I use a small roller to go over the patched area to make the patch and the skin look like one. After the finish is applied to the bow the patch becomes invisible.

[Selfbowman]

Great bow BJ and no set on the 55# er as usual!

[Muskyman]

That’s a great looking bow. Whoever you made that for will love it, I’m sure.
Are the skins on that just one snake skin on each limb, plus any patches?  The garder snakes around here don’t seem like they’re that big. Maybe they’re bigger in MI.

[Pat B]

Very nice HHB bow with beautiful tiller, Brian. Like Muskyman, our garder snakes around here rarely get bigger than about 15 or so.

[bjrogg]

Thanks everyone. So glad you like the tiller.

Yes I’m not sure how long they get, but I’m thinking around 24”maybe a little longer occasionally.

It seems like for about one week they will be very active. I see them on the road slithering into the ditch. Whenever I see a roadkill I pick them up.

They aren’t very big around but they have a nice pattern on sides and even belly.

Bjrogg

[Will B]

Awesome bow!  Love the snakeskins and the resting profile. Great job!

[bjrogg]

Thank you Will

Bjrogg

[bjrogg]

I love that tiller!

Like you I have had to get creative with damaged snake skins. If I have a hole or tear, I cut a piece of scrap from the trimmings with the same size scales as the hole, orient the patch direction to be exactly like the surrounding scales, put a small drop of superglue in the opening and press the patch into place. I use a small roller to go over the patched area to make the patch and the skin look like one. After the finish is applied to the bow the patch becomes invisible.

I thought about going this route. I had a really nice tail. I like using tail. And some really nice color too.

I ended up doing a 180 and went the worn and torn look.

I’m not sure about finish yet. It’s about seven coats of Tung oil. Kinda shiny. I prefer it scoffed up a little.

Bjrogg

PS we got our snow back Bob. Was 70 degrees Monday at 4:00pm
24 hours later it was 21 with a thirty mph wind