tanned snake skins

[Sam Harper]

Have any of you ever tried a tanned snake skin for a bow backing?  I'm asking because a friend gave me a couple of snake skins he tanned.  They're a little bit crispy, but softer than untanned snake skins.  He tanned them himself.  Just curious if it's worth it to try.

[Mad Max]

I have one two
On PA they said soak it in water and glue it on with TB3

[Pat B]

Sam, what was the snake skin tanned with. If antifreeze(glycerin/alcohol) they will be hard to stick to the bow because of the glycerin. With chrome tanning you can use them for bow backing but the tanned skin is like a sponge and will absorb moisture if it gets wet.
Green or dry skins work better for bow backings.

[Sam Harper]

He used glycerin.  Thanks.

[Pat B]

I backed  bow with glycerin tanned snake skin but the skin was tanned about 20 years before. Getting a relatively fresh glycerin tanned skin to stick might be a problem especially on a flexing bow.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Sam I had a heck of a time keeping mine stuck down. I ended up sealing the entire edge on both sides with Loc Tite super glue. Still don't have a fuzzy warm feeling about them. Id suggest not using them.

[bubby]

I actually tan some of mine in glycerin, not anti freeze, I just soak'em in soapy water and then wash them clean and have had no problems at all, I think they hold color better

[Bob at Work]

I've used them , like bubby, by washing with dish soap and rinsing before using.  I have started using more garment/leather tanned skins with no problem at all just soaking and using titebond.  The cool thing about these skins is they are easy to find, cheap, and you can get cool skins like cobra.