Amigos, I'm going to attempt my 1st snake-skin install on a recurve. Does it matter if I use a tanned or dried skin? Any suggestions where I should acquire good skins?

Well i got some really nice 40" tanned copperheads. They caused problems b/c of the oil in the tanning process. Do a dried skin.

Dried.

Without a doubt..DRIED SKINS.

Dried skins or fresh.  Don't forget to  remove the scales before finishing.
Moscow hide and fur.  Three rivers.

Thanks Guys!..... I just LOVE this Forum !

Armourbearer,

Dried is the way to go! The tanning oil in the tanned skins is what causes the problems. Glue and finish won't bond. Like was said before, you definitely have to remove all of the scales!

I just finished my first attempt at "snake skin install" on my recurve and I'm really happy with the results.

I got my skins off ***y from a particular seller. I think I paid $45 shipped for a pair of western diamondbacks that were both aobut 42 1/2" long. Best quality I found. Let me know if you want the sellers name, you can just do a search on ***y and find him. He always seems to have skins for sale. Hope this helps.

www.pinehollowlongbows.com

It depends on how the skin was tanned. I ran into the same thing last year when I bought a nice set of tanned skins at a Hunters Extravaganza for 15 bucks each. Did a little research and found that a skin tanned with glycerin(sp) may be washed out in warm water and common dish soap. Just wash it out really good and let it dry and presto- you have air dried skins to work with....Terry

make sure when you take the scales off dont go against the scales at all it will raise the points up and they wont lay back down so go with the scales . dried skins tan wont work .