Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: WhistlingBadger on June 02, 2024, 11:40:47 pm

Title: How do you finish the edge of a snake skin?
Post by: WhistlingBadger on June 02, 2024, 11:40:47 pm
Title says it, I guess.  I've got a few bows in the pipeline that are or will be backed with snake skin.  How to you get a nice, clean looking edge?  I've tried cutting a straight edge with an exacto knife, and painting over the edge with a black stripe.  Neither looks terrible, but neither is completely satisfying either.  What do you do?
Title: Re: How do you finish the edge of a snake skin?
Post by: Pat B on June 03, 2024, 01:48:34 am
I use a flat bastard file and go along the edge filing from back to belly, starting at the handle and out the limb to the tips. This gives you a tapered edge that blends to the wood smoothly unlike an abrupt cut edge.
Title: Re: How do you finish the edge of a snake skin?
Post by: Eric Krewson on June 03, 2024, 09:50:55 am
I only put my snake skins on the back of the bow, some wrap them around the sides a bit. I leave the top limb edge sharper and cut the excess skin off with a small fine cut file pushing the file toward the belly only, this cuts a very clean line. I sand the side of the bow lightly to get rid of the file marks.

I use the painters tape to keep the glue off the rest of the bow so I have less to clean up after the skin is applied.

Title: Re: How do you finish the edge of a snake skin?
Post by: bentstick54 on June 03, 2024, 10:16:17 am
I do the same as Eric.
Title: Re: How do you finish the edge of a snake skin?
Post by: superdav95 on June 03, 2024, 11:29:25 am
Same here.  I like to use thin ca glue on the tapered edge itself ones I sand it a bit to seal up the edge.   Tb3 would likley work too. 
Title: Re: How do you finish the edge of a snake skin?
Post by: WhistlingBadger on June 03, 2024, 12:40:06 pm
Ah, OK.  See, stuff like this is why I need you guys...how long would it have taken me to figure that out myself?  Thanks for the tips.  Much appreciated.
Thomas