Shark Skin Backing?

[monterey]

I'm wondering how shark skin would work out as a self bow backing?  I have one on the way and would like to put it to good use if possible.

[Pat B]

Depending on how big the shark is I'd say if it's not too thick it would make a good backing. probably very strong and maybe adding a bit of performance. I think even it's monochromatic color will look good.

[monterey]

The shark looks to be about five feet.  Not sure how thick the skin is.  

[Pat B]

Good eating!

[frank bullitt]

I have seen one Osage bow backed with shark skin. It was made by Norm Blaker of Michigan. Cool looking bow!

Nice catch! Love shark steak, too!

[fujimo]

i used to eat shark, but have since found out that scales on a fish- like our hair- helps rid the body of heavy metals- if a "fish" doesnt have scales there will be accumulated heavy metals( mercury, arsenic etc etc) in the flesh. which is  a pity- as dog shark and sand shark were some of my favourites   :(  

i think the skin would be very cool on a bow!!

[monterey]

Not my catch, I had already left for home when it occurred to me that a sharks skin might be an interesting backing so texted to save a skin.

We were fishing for tarpon and the sharks were in the mix.  We kept and ate one shark before I left and it was delicious.

Here is a tarpon my daughter caught.  Except for the two sharks, everything was released.

   

[LittleBen]

Originally posted by fujimo:
i used to eat shark, but have since found out that scales on a fish- like our hair- helps rid the body of heavy metals- if a "fish" doesnt have scales there will be accumulated heavy metals( mercury, arsenic etc etc) in the flesh. which is  a pity- as dog shark and sand shark were some of my favourites    :(  

i think the skin would be very cool on a bow!!

Maybe I'm getting off topic but when my wife got pregnant I was surprised to see how many fish they tell women not to eat because of the heavy metals .... Basically anything big or old that eats other fish. Sardines it is I guess ....

[PEARL DRUMS]

I cant believe any shark skin is thin enough to use in a positive manner. You can cover a bow limb with almost anything. The question is what is doing to the bow?

[monterey]

Pearl, that is something I'm going to have to watch for.  The shark we cooked was on the Q with the skin side down and it seemed pretty thick.

Am going to try scraping it down as thin as possible.  If it won't thin enough It won't go on.

[Msturm]

Never seen it as a bow backing. But I have a buddy here in Hawaii who makes drum heads, wallets, etc out of shark skin from by-catch.   He dries it really good and hits the flesh side with a belt sander to get it thin.

I don't know what type of shark ya got there, but here in Hawaii the skin thickness can vary species by species and even within the same species depending on the age of the shark.

Keep in mind that the shark skin has a texture a lot like sand paper and may cut up your bow string loops.

Also if you get one that was skinned immediately after being caught it is easier to work as it has not started bleeding through the skin (as most sharks do when they die).

Hope this helps!

Msturm

[monterey]

Thanks, Michael.  It does help.

[Ted Fry]

Actually it works very well, I have used shark , sturgeon and halibut with great success, lay it flat after skinning let dry and thin to desired thickness , I use a belt sander to get to the thickness I like.
Fish skin is a very tough durable backing that in my opinion is much tougher than rawhide.
Helps to rinse well with Dawn dish soap to remove any oils.
Yes on shark or any other rough skin make sure you sand the skin and coat several times to remove the roughness especially around the top limb where the string would rub when stringing and unstringing.

[Ted Fry]

Forgot to add , check your game laws as in Oregon it is not legal to use and sell or trade game fish such as Salmon and Sturgeon.

[fujimo]

wow Ted, thats bizarre- i can understand the sturgeon, but the salmon are caught and sold commercially, and certainly regular table fare- i live just a bit north of you. seems a pity. but a good point - check your regs.
 same as oz- illegal to use snake skins - guess thats why they have a ton of snakes!   :D

[monterey]

I can see how the trading in salmon could be.  The guys who fish commercially probably don't want citizens encroaching on the market.

The shark was a legal catch and I'm pretty sure there is no prohibition on using parts based on all the shark jaws and teeth for sale in the tourist traps.

[fujimo]

sure Mike. but anytime you catch the salmon for commercial use - you need a licence and a quota.
so if you were going to catch salmon just for the skins- the same system would apply. however i am referring to an abundance of salmon skins that are removed when salmon are canned or processed. and are turned into fertilizer- or as the case is here- simply taken to the end of the dock and jettisoned!

it seems a waste to make that illegal- but then i cant speak for Oregon, as i live in bc. maybe they just dont get the salmon numbers that we get here- and want to limit any trade in any part of them.the way of the future i am afraid!!

[monterey]

I better understand what you are saying now.

I was equating It with regulations pushed for by interest groups intended to give them exclusive use of or control of some aspect of their business.

Good example is Wyoming where a nonresident is not allowed to hunt in a designated wilderness area without a registered outfitter or guide.