Which bow is best???

[lonestararcher]

thanks for the info...I might check it out but I just feel like I'm cheating on thearchersedge by going to other sites I don't even really go to bowsite any more, now that I've found this site. Can any one tell me how to attach snake skin to the back of your longbow, as a backer. My buddy has a 5 foot rattler he has kept in his freezer and told me I could have it to back my longbow with. The only problem is that I have no idea how to back attach the skin to the bow. Do I need to go over it with some kind of gloss??? Any input is appreciated.

[BT]

lonestararcher said:

thanks for the info...I might check it out but I just feel like I'm cheating on thearchersedge by going to other sites I don't even really go to bowsite any more, now that I've found this site. Can any one tell me how to attach snake skin to the back of your longbow, as a backer. My buddy has a 5 foot rattler he has kept in his freezer and told me I could have it to back my longbow with. The only problem is that I have no idea how to back attach the skin to the bow. Do I need to go over it with some kind of gloss??? Any input is appreciated.

SMJ or Eastern could offer a better explanation most likely but I have all of the stuff without the guts to do it ;D
Basically you have to destroy the bow

You sand the limbs on the side you are going to apply the skin to then apply fine superglue (available from wood supply) then apply the skin while working the air bubbles from center , out toward the edges of the limb.
Alot of people finish the skin with a coat of superfine while others dont like that procedure.
I have the entire directions for the procedure and if you dont get a first hand knowledge I will copy it here

[mtshooter]

I hate SNAKES, I don't think I could have my hands on it

It does look pretty cool though

[snoodslapper]

mtshooter said:

I hate SNAKES, I don't think I could have my hands on it

It does look pretty cool though

Just about the best camo you an put on a bow though, too!

[easternhunter]

admin said:

lonestararcher said:

thanks for the info...I might check it out but I just feel like I'm cheating on thearchersedge by going to other sites I don't even really go to bowsite any more, now that I've found this site. Can any one tell me how to attach snake skin to the back of your longbow, as a backer. My buddy has a 5 foot rattler he has kept in his freezer and told me I could have it to back my longbow with. The only problem is that I have no idea how to back attach the skin to the bow. Do I need to go over it with some kind of gloss??? Any input is appreciated.

SMJ or Eastern could offer a better explanation most likely but I have all of the stuff without the guts to do it ;D
Basically you have to destroy the bow
You sand the limbs on the side you are going to apply the skin to then apply fine superglue (available from wood supply) then apply the skin while working the air bubbles from center , out toward the edges of the limb.
Alot of people finish the skin with a coat of superfine while others dont like that procedure.
I have the entire directions for the procedure and if you dont get a first hand knowledge I will copy it here

BT, you got snake skins and don't use 'em? maybe we should talk for the fall
Lonestar, I wouldn't use superglue and you won't destroy the bow BT. If the bow has a good finish on it, sand out the back with 120-150grit. Clean with tack cloth.. Some use TBIII and some use hide glue. Either will work. Seize the back first with Hide glue or TBIII, meaning spread a thin coat of glue on the sanded back. let this dry. it preps the back to allow the skins to adhere well. WHen ready, if the skins are dried, soak in lukewarm water to soften. lay them out on paper towel or cloth to soak up excess water. BTW, if they are dry, you can carefully use packing tape pressed to the skins to remove alot of the scales first. It can also be done once the skins are applied.

Now, spread glue to the back of the bow and starting at the riser end, smooth the skins down the limb, positioning them as you go. If they hang over the edge fine, you can trim them later. Use a needle to pop any bubbles to remove air. Softly squeegee the skins running out toward the limb edges to squeeze out air.

I hear that a good 12 hours should allow the glue to cure well. Once dry, then you can use tape or even a fingernail to remove the leftover scales. After they dry, I have learned from experience that a thin coat of Shellac will seal most anything! Once sealed, then you can apply your final finish, such as Tru-Oil or Spar varnish. I'd apply a couple of coats , and then LIGHTLY sand the finish with 320 grit to smooth out the finish over the skins. BEWARE finish is thin and so are the skins(mostly) so it's easy to sand thru if you're not careful. A couple more coats should do it...if you don't want the shinier finish, finish sand with 600 grit to take offf the shine or use satin varish. This is only one method, and I admit I haven't worked with snake skins YET! But I've learned alot from others that have. If I'm off-base then SMJ or BT can correct me here. No worries. Would love to see your final project....Good Luck!

I'm finishing my latest longbow with 2 coats of shellac, and about 6 thin coats of Spar. Then sanding out the finish to get a more satiny luster.

[BT]

SEE! .... I was gonna destroy it!
My instructions dont say anything about hide glue and such.
Maybe you can apply a hide for me when you come down eastern

[smj]

Tightbond III - waterproof. Rough the limb surface, wet with glue, wet the hide side of the snake skin with glue, lay it on the limb and align it the way you want it. Yes you will need to work out the bubbles with your fingers and also any excess glue. You can mask the belly side of the limb with tape to keep it from getting all glue. Once dry, peel up the tape and sand off the edge until smooth. Or - when the glue is almost dry, use a razor blade to trim the skin to a perfect fit. Then go back and make sure the edge is well placed all along the limb. Oh, yeah, if the skins are hard, or dry, you must soften them by soaking them in water. No way around it. Also, take off the scales before glue up. Duct tape does a great job - apply it to the scale side of the skin and then peel it off, the scales should come off with the tape. This will leave the skin more flexible so it should go on better.

There is a great article on how to add snake skin to your arrows in the Dec/Jan 08 issue of Traditional Bowhunter. Well written and worth a read! Here is where you can get a copy if you like -

www.bowsite2.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=8&User_ID=154126&st=3983&st2=73728953&st3=-72054561&Product_ID=142&CATID=2

Or you can call them at 208-383-9019 - either way the cost is $5.

[easternhunter]

admin said:

SEE! .... I was gonna destroy it!
My instructions dont say anything about hide glue and such.
Maybe you can apply a hide for me when you come down eastern

On my bow or yours? Sure BT, I'd be honoured to do that for ya.

[BT]

I've got two hides.....I'll give you one if you do mine

[BT]

smj said:

Tightbond III quote]

Thats the stuff I got