Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: tattoo dave on August 09, 2012, 09:51:33 pm
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So I don't normally mess with real skins, but my nephew got a hold of a good size blue racer snake and asked me if we could put it on a bow for him. I got it skinned and dried out. I'm just wondering what's the best way to apply it? Thanks for any and all info.
Tattoo Dave
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TBIII and lightly scuff the back of the bow. Trim it with a sharp razor knife and clean it up with a sanding block lighty on the edges. I use duct tape to get my scales off. Piece of cake!
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Thanks Chris! I was wondering how to get scales off. This will be the coolest kids bows I've made to date.
Dave
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I have had a hard time getting the scales off of racer skins. They seem to be smaller and don't like to come off as easy as rattler or black snakes. They have a nice look to them, especially on an osage bow with a yellow and black string.
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If they dont want to come off, make them stay on. Do a small test first.
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once the glue starts to set up and the skin is still moist take the back part of a knife and scrape lightly from the head to the tail and alot of the scales will come off at that point then when it is dry use the tape method as pearl drum said.
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I think I ended up using an air compressor to blow them off.
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I brush them off with my toothbursh >:D
Cipriano
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I brush them off with my toothbursh >:D
Cipriano
With or without toothpaste? 8)
Tracy
Cip, do you find the scales getting in between your teeth after that?
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I've wanted to put blue racer skins on my purple (yes purple) bow for years, but getting my hands on a good pair isn't easy.
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hey bro come on pic s pic s i always wanted to see one of them blue racers post some pic s i wanna see this lol brock
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Yes, please post pictures!
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I would love to see pics of the blue racer skin. I used to see them around here but was always to small. Hardly ever see a snake anymore. Dean
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check out Gordon's winter build along for excellent how to on snake skins.
http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,30667.255.html
Gabe
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Thanks for all the input fellas. Here is a couple pics. The snake was road kill, so it's a little beat up. But I'll make it work, it's going on a kids bow. I was thinking about using the belly side of the snake as well as the back, for the sake of the color. It's about 34" long, and I was not able to use about 6" of the snake due to the damage of getting squished on the pavement. He was a good size racer. I dont see them very often, thats why I thought we would take advantage of this road kill.
Tattoo Dave
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Hi,
Now after seeing the pictures I gotta go see what an indigo looks like as compared to the blue racer.
This summer I have had to harvest a water moccasin and a cane brake...now have to wait for another of either to complete the other side of a bow!
Hope you post a picture of the finished bow.
Rand