Came accross a 3' copperhead road kill in awesome shape. Picked it up to skin my longbow. To those that have done your own, any suggestions were to start?
I currently have it in the freezer on hold. I have not have time to do anything to it yet.
(http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq149/mscampbell75/bowschool084.jpg) (http://s442.photobucket.com/user/mscampbell75/media/bowschool084.jpg.html)
Also... does the color of the bow change how the skins look? Would i be ok w/ putting them over this bow? I want to maintain the color of the copperhead as much as possible.
Most bowyers put a layer of color under the skins. The skins are very thin and need this color to maintain the color you are trying to keep. Bill put a tan color under my copperheads.
(http://i44.tinypic.com/212eufl.jpg)
You can either use the skin green, right off the snake or skin it and tack it to a board, flesh side out, and let it dry. Once dry you can store it in a ziplock bag until you are ready to install it. Tite-BondIII glue seems to be the glue of choice for glass backed bows.
You're gonna skin those beautiful limbs??? If it were me I'd have a set of brown or black glass limbs made then skin those. But that's just me. I'm sure it'll look great either way!
Just realized that's a Black Creek so no new limbs can be made :( the other guys are right a ground color would bring out the pattern best. Boy that BC is pretty, but if you're ready to do it well why not.
I like it as is!
Here's a write-up I did when I skinned one of my bows awhile back.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=104823;p=1#000000
Dont do it! That bow is gorgeous.
I agree those veneers might be to mice to skin. Dang they are purdy.
I would save that skins for another bow! This one is too pretty!
Your nuts to cover those ,those are gorgeous limbs.
Don't think I'd skin those limbs - way to pretty.
Copperhead skins look the most realistic when applied to white limbs. Think about it....when you skin one the flesh is snow white. I put some skins on a set of the White Knight Bear TD limbs and they really turned out nice.
Just remember once skinned it cant be undone. I tried once and had a massive fail.
Just remember once skinned it cant be undone. I tried once and had a massive fail.
For what it's worth, you will probably need two skins to do it, the pattern is usually centered on the limbs to give the best look.
I've decided against as I'm scared I will screw them up. May try putting them on my Iron Mountain...it has light colored limbs. Would be a much better fit.