Help with snake skin

[WINDTALKER]

So my exspensive breeder python died last night and I don't want to waste the skin, my problem is that along the belly and side area there is a bit of meat left, whats the best way to scrape that off? The skin is about 1/16th thick and I tried last night but that stuff is like scraping tire rubber, is there something to help loosen it from the skin.

[Eric Krewson]

Staple the skin to a board with a staple gun, stretched as tightly as you can. Use a spoon to deflesh the skin, scrape from the center of the back to the outside edge.

When you finish, let the skin dry on your board and use a pair of scissors to neatly trim it. I cut away the belly scale portion leaving only the nicely patterned back.

[WINDTALKER]

Eric,Should the spoon be dull? I tried with a knife and the flesh was stuck, very similar to trying to flesh the tread off a sears all season radial tire. All the native snakes I've done the skin peeled off clean and were simply tacked to a board. First time trying a adult python and he was really thick skinned. Thanks Art

[Ted Fry]

Art , if its just the belly of the skin , cut and remove the sides with scissors then tack on to a board and do as Eric said , spoon does not have to be sharp , I prefer a dull knife to flesh but no need to flesh what you are going to cut off .
That skin would look nice on your osage bow.

[fireball31]

That must be the difference between snakes and dogs.  I sure as hell wouldn't be able to make a quiver our of my Lab. LOL

[Blacksmith]

Does the skin have to be dried or can they be glued on green.  I'm getting ready to do a hickory backed osage bow and have a couple of rattlesnake skins in the freezer.

Sorry about your python.

[E. Texas HillBilly]

Hey Windtalker,
              I feel for you man, what kind was he? I have a Albino burmese that is 13ft and around 85 pounds, he is only 5yrs old. You could make a whole suit from him. I hope that he has around 20 years left though. When I've dealt with snake skins I pretty much did what Eric mentioned. Sorry about your snake.
                           -Hillbilly

[WINDTALKER]

Ted: Good to hear from ya. It's actually on the sides I've already cut off the belly scales cause thats where most of the meat was and i'd like to preserve the sides because of the pattern. I was hopeing that there was something that would help in seperating meat from skin.   Fireball31: To quote a great movie " Dog makes a mighty fine meal" and probably a nice quiver LOL  Hillbilly: He was my main breeder pied ball python. Cost me 3000.00 about a year ago and died overnight for no apperent reason. Now I have to go buy another and even though the prices are coming down its still gonna be spendy and sets my breeding projects back a year.

[Deadbolt]

Originally posted by fireball31:
That must be the difference between snakes and dogs.  I sure as hell wouldn't be able to make a quiver our of my Lab. LOL

LOL now thats funny!

At the rate my new black lab is eating through my garage door he may be my new back quiver LOL

Sorry to hear about the snake bud thats a pretty penny to just up and die!

[WINDTALKER]

Deadbolt: Yeah it was pretty painful penny also ,Momma doesn't let me spend that kinda money without getting what she wants.(read cruise). I'm guessing the next snake means a trip to maui for her, she's dropping hints already. But hey if I can scrape this stubborn flesh off I'll have a very unique bow backing or maybe some arrow crests.

[Deadbolt]

glad to see your a "cup half full" kinda guy!

should be some awsome backing!!!