Tanning snake skins for bow backings

[Fox]

I’m wondering what the common method for prepping fresh snake skins and other reptiles like iguanas for bow backings and other project is? I’ve done lots of buckskin and bark tanning and brain tanning for furs but I’m not finding a lot of information on tanning reptiles. What’s the best natural way to do it?

[bentstick54]

I don’t tan my snake skins. After skinning I tack the fresh skin to a board, flesh side up, and flesh off any residue left, then set off somewhere to air dry slowly. When dry, I trim off the sides ( belly scales), the roll up and leave until ready to use. I’ve saved them for several years before using with no issues.

[superdav95]

generally we dont use tanned skins for backing on a bow.  Im sure it can be done and where there is a will there is a way but any ive done have just been air dried on a board or cardboard pinned flat with fleshy side out.  tanning cna interfere with adhesion to the bow.  if using an already tanned snake skin or other reptile im sure there is a way to treat them to get them to adhere well but the best is to just air dry them.  when ready to apply them hide glue would work but lots of guys use tb3 glue.

[Fox]

Oh sweet well that’s nice and simple then. Thanks!

[Bob Barnes]

I think I have the original snakeskin application from Paul Brunner... I'll try to attach it.  The skin can even be applied fresh, but I air dry them first.

[Eric Krewson]

Some skins need to be fleshed, a timber rattler is one of them, copperheads and western diamondbacks do not have to be in my experience. I tack the skin flesh side up on a board wet and use a spoon to flesh it. After I have the skin fleshed I dry it on the board I have it stapled to, cut off the belly scale portion, roll it up and store it in a zip lock bag away from any sunny spot in my house. I have kept skins for years this way with no damage.

I soak the skin in water and blot it dry before I apply any glue and put it on the bow. I don't remove the scales until the skin in on the bow and the glue has dried.

While we are talking applying skins to bows, don't wrap the skin to attach it to the bow like you read. Use your thumbs to roll over the skin side to side and move the air bubbles and excess glue off to the side. You can also continually tweak the skins pattern to be perfectly aligned with the centerline of the bow as well. I usually spend about 15 minutes per limb with my thumbs or until the glue starts to set and and I can't shift it anymore. 

 

[Eric Krewson]

My method makes for a very neat skin job that isn't coming loose like some wrapped skins.

[Fox]

Thanks guys! Hopping to get some big pythons! Heading down to Florida today to find some

[bjrogg]

I do just like Eric.

One tip the smaller skins have nicer patterns on bows. Big skins patterns are sometimes too big to look good on bow. At least that’s my personal opinion.

Bjrogg

[Pappy]

I just skin /flesh a bit and tack to dry as the others have said, but a big python will require more fleshing and is worked more like raw hide , the hide is really thick, I have a couple of 12/14 footers and as I said more like rawhide that smaller snake skin. 
 Pappy

[Eric Krewson]

A friend sent me some eastern diamond back skins that were well over 6' long, the patterns were much to big to fit and look good on a bow, I thanked him but sent them back.

Another thing; check with your state laws, it is illegal to use snake skins in a state where killing them is banned. The fines are huge and the game wardens can confiscate your bow.

I gave a impromptu selfbow shooting demonstration at Davy Crockett park in Lawrenceburg Tn once, my bow was backed with copperhead skins that I bought from a guy in Texas. Turns out killing any snake is illegal in Tennessee, two game wardens were in the audience. A guy near them said they had an issue with the snake skins but decided to let it drop and didn't approach me. I got lucky that day, I quit taking any snake backed bows into Tennessee, I hunted on various leases there for at least 20 years and did get checked by a game warden once.

[bentstick54]

I would definitely think for python skins smaller would definitely be better for bow backing. Smaller pattern would look better, and thinner skin would be better from performance efficiency.