Snakeskin durability???

[Hunterdad]

For those of you who hunt with snake skinned limbs, do you take any precautions? Does hunting in the rain affect the skins? Do they tear easily if a branch rubs against it? If you get blood on the skins, would it clean up or stain?
I would love to send my limbs to Bob Morison for a set of Diamondback skins but am concerned about the durability.

Thank you

[hunt it]

If your going to do it Bob is your man. I hunt hard and skins were not for me. Great for your 3d bow but in the bush I beat them up too bad and was forever paying Bob to re skin em $$$.If your bow does not ever get scratched then go for it.

[Whip]

Skins themselves are pretty fragile.  But they are protected by the finish on top. No worries about blood stains or moisture as long as the finish remains in good shape.  If you regularly nick your limbs through the finish skins might not be for you.  Most guys though are pretty careful with their high dollar bows, so should be ok.  
I agree, if you are going to do it, Bob will do it right!

[Eric Krewson]

I have a bunch of skinned bows out there. I put 5 coats of tru-oil followed by a couple coats of spar urethane over them and they have all been through the mill with no problems over the years.

Some bows are approaching the ten year mark now, most 6 to 8. The only thing I see is the skins may lift a little 1/64" flap right on the edge of the limb, about 1" long, occasionally. A tiny drop of super glue on a toothpick wiped on the underside of this flap so it can be pressed down will permanently fix the problem.

Originally posted by hunt it:
If your going to do it Bob is your man. I hunt hard and skins were not for me. Great for your 3d bow but in the bush I beat them up too bad and was forever paying Bob to re skin em $$$.If your bow does not ever get scratched then go for it.

As beautiful as they are, they are not for me! I'm just too rough on a bow. I owned one "fancy" bow and it had skins on the limbs. I could not keep them from getting dinged up. Now I just usually go with something plain, like black glass.

Bisch

[Hunterdad]

Good stuff guys. Thanks. I am thinking I may want to give Bob a call and give it a try =)

[Gdpolk]

Another option might be limbskins from onestringer if your hard on your bows.  Those are less costly, can protect your bow somewhat, and still give you the look and camouflaging of skins.

[Sixby]

I do all my skins like Eric and have never had any problems .Ever. I usually put on a few more coats of tru oil , shoot it with hi gloss a few coats and finish with satin. Both tru oil and spar var stretch with the back tension and they perfectly seal the skin.One thing. allow the skin to thorougly dry.; For me that means 24 hours minimum dry time befor I start finishing.

God bless you all, Steve

[Lee Robinson .]

We have never had a problem on any of them...not even here in Mississippi briars and thickets. That said, I have only done about a dozen or so snake skin backed bows. We use a modified epoxy finish on our bows...which offers excellent durability, and may add to the skin's durability.