To snake skin or not to snake skin?

[SirRobin77]

I would like to put a snake skin back on my Bear recurve.Would i be ruining my vintage (1962) Bear Kodiak Magnum by doing this? Ive seen that most of the how tos on this you have to scuff up the glass and glue the skin on. opinions?
Matt

[TRAP]

It will definately decrease the collectible value of the bow.  The 62 KMag is about the best selling and most sought after KMag out there.  It may look great but would probably cut value in half.  Of course it depends on what the bow looks like now.

Trap

[SirRobin77]

Its in real good shape very few minor scratches. It shoots like a dream. Why is the 62 the most desirable of the KMags?

[geno]

What is it worth ?? If you are going to keep it and want it done.. do it!

[SirRobin77]

I dont know what its worth really. I paid $200 for it so its worth $200 to me.

[Jedimaster]

If I was going to have a snake skinned bow it would not be one of classic vintage.  I personally like a little nostalgia sometimes and I think that effect would be diminished if not ruined.  There are plenty of bows that are amenable to skins without altering an antique.  But hey, in the end it is your bow and my opinion is not really important.

[Orion]

You do not have to skuff into the glass.  First clean any oil (from your hands, etc) off the limbs.  Denatured alcohol will work.  Then take 220 grit sandpaper on a block and run it up and down each limb several times.  Just enough to take the edge off the finish and smooth out any little varnish bumps that may already exist.  Certainly not enough to deface any decals.  Then clean again with denatured alcohol and size with Titebond II or III, i.e., put on a light coat of watered down glue with a foam brush or your fingers and let it dry.  Wet the snake skin until its soft and apply glue to the non scale side.  Place it on the limb(s), align it properly and work out any air bubbles with your fingers.  After it's dry, use the 22o sandpaper on a block again to knock off/sand the skin from the edge of the limbs.  Check for any areas that may have lifted, particularly along the limb edges.  Then remove the scales and varnish.  Good luck.  If you need to remove the skins after a few years, slide a razor blade under the skin and slide along the limb.  A light sanding with 22o will make it ready for spray or hand rubbed finish.  Good luck.

[Curveman]

Originally posted by Jedimaster:
If I was going to have a snake skinned bow it would not be one of classic vintage.  I personally like a little nostalgia sometimes and I think that effect would be diminished if not ruined.  There are plenty of bows that are amenable to skins without altering an antique.  But hey, in the end it is your bow and my opinion is not really important.

Ditto

[TRAP]

The Brazilian Rosewood and Bark gray glass just set it apart from many of the rest.  The grip was also different than many of the newer model KMags.  

62 Magnums commonly sell for $225.00 to as high as $400.00 for the really nice specimens with exceptional wood.  

As Geno said if you want it done and plan to keep it, go for it.  When I take a look at the classifieds it drives home the point to me that most folks dont "keep" them  forever.  Once alterred the bow will most often decrease substantially in value, unless one of the few well known refinnishers do the altercation.  

Recently a 59 Kodiak of hunting weight with a snakeskin back could not get a $400.00 starting bid on the big auction site.  That bow would typically sell for nearly twice that much.

It's all about expectations, if you snakeskin back it and decide to sell it 3 years from now, dont expect it to bring top-dollar.  You bought it at a fair price though and may recoup your investment.

Trap

[Little John]

Here are a few pictures of my first try at snake skins. I just finished it this morning. I think they look great on my Widow. JOHN        

[**DONOTDELETE**]

nice job

[SirRobin77]

WOW!! That looks great!!!

[Little John]

Thank you! It's not as hard as I thougth it would be. I totally refinished the limbs once I got the skins on. I have a cabinet shop and spraying the limbs was no problem.

[horatio1226]

This is my V- Archery longbow. If I didn't love it and plan on keeping it, I would have never skinned it. Brian

 
 
 
 

[SirRobin77]

wow nice!!!

[Brian Krebs]

Every step I take I am looking for that pattern; having been bitten ( single fang no or little venom) and many attempted bites on my snake boots.

 I guess they are nice looking - but to me carrying one all the time would be like carrying nitroglycerin in my pocket.

 I can shoot you an email of a perfect snake for using for a bow; if you want- send me your email address.....perfect!

[Autumnarcher]

I have my first Thunderstick MOAB I am considering putting skins on. It is my hunting bow, plain and simple. The question I have is this- how well do snakeskins hold up, from stringing/unstringing, shooting and the day to day rigors of hunting.

Can they be removed and replaced without trashing the bow? I currently have bamboo limbs.

[Autumnarcher]

I have my first Thunderstick MOAB I am considering putting skins on. It is my hunting bow, plain and simple. The question I have is this- how well do snakeskins hold up, from stringing/unstringing, shooting and the day to day rigors of hunting.

Can they be removed and replaced without trashing the bow? I currently have bamboo limbs.

[horatio1226]

Here's how I see it. The snake skins are protecting the limbs. If you are putting scratches in your limbs, then the skins are protecting your limbs. Instead of having to sand the scratches out of the glass or wood, you can take the skins and glue off down to the glass or wood. The skins aren't going to scratch anyway. I view the skins as protection of the limbs, great camo, look great and maybe add a little mojo. Again, just my opinion. Some people like it, and some don't.
Brian