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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Harmless on March 02, 2008, 01:37:00 PM

Title: Tanning Snake Skins
Post by: Harmless on March 02, 2008, 01:37:00 PM
I'm looking for some snake skin's for a couple quivers I'm building. I'v found a few sources for "air dryed" skins, but none for tanned skins. Is there a way to Tan air dryed skins ? Thanks...Dave
Title: Re: Tanning Snake Skins
Post by: doug77 on March 02, 2008, 01:41:00 PM
yes just rehydrate them in salt water. I did one this way got a snake tanning kit from Van Dyke's taxidermery turned out fine.

doug77
Title: Re: Tanning Snake Skins
Post by: Harmless on March 03, 2008, 07:02:00 AM
tt
Title: Re: Tanning Snake Skins
Post by: OconeeDan on March 03, 2008, 07:54:00 AM
I have used Rittels tanning kit with good success.  But never a dried skin, always fresh.  Inexpensive and easy to do.
Doug77 is probably correct, just rehydrate it and then tan it.
Dan
Title: Re: Tanning Snake Skins
Post by: ALW on March 03, 2008, 12:20:00 PM
I read somewhere about using a solution of denatured alcohol and glycerin to "tan" them.  I think it said that you can get glycerin at the local pharmacy.  It says to use a 50/50 mixture.  Flesh and degrease them first.  Tack the skin down with the scales down and spray on the solution twice a day.  In about a week it says the skin will be supple and plyable.  Never tried it myself but I saved the document about it.

Aaron
Title: Re: Tanning Snake Skins
Post by: LKH on March 03, 2008, 06:09:00 PM
Jack Harrison says the best skins are those done in glycerin, but that's for bows.  They sure have worked on my bows.