Good Morning Gentlemen.....
Had a request for a rod, that has crocodile skin on the handle and foregrip....I have worked with rattlesnakes skins...but not croc skin.....
Just wanted to know,if there is anything special I need to do.....it is much thicker than snakeskins...and I have sanded it down some......
Appreciate any input.........
Thank You......
MaryLou

MaryLou Van de Riet
Weatherford,Texas USA

Watch out for the teeth

Can't help you but I sure hope that you post pix of it!!!!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

If it is anything like some leather that I've been playing with, it isn't going to give you much room for error since there isn't much stretch. Measure several times before cutting, and when you do cut, because of the thickness, it helps to cut at a slight angle (so the visible side is "longer" than the bottom) for a better seam.

Looking forward to what you do with it cuz I have an idea for gator skin that I want to try sometime.

MaryLou, I have found that the more leathery skins like ostrich leg, frog, lizard and alligator tend to absorb some finish before it sets up, especially along the cut edges. This can result in a splotchy look. Where the finish soaks in a little, the skin is darker. I saturate the underside of the skin first to evenly wet it. The skin will be a lot darker but it will be an even color. I should have mentioned I use flexible CA to wet the skins, but color preserver may work as well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/2007 12:08PM by Joe Emig.

MaryLou Hi:
Don't know for sure but in that case maybe a thread color sealer may work before the clear ?

Hi MaryLou,

Pat Vinzant sent me a tutorial on how he does his Snake Skins. He uses U-40 ColorLock as the glue. You may want to contact him to see if he has any suggestions. Then again he may see this and chime in.

Bill in WV

Snake Skins will normally have more stretch than reptile skins that are heavier. Joe is correct about the discoloration of the skins and having a bloc hey appearance. This problem can be lessened if you use a color preserver similar to U40 color loc and really saturate the skin and apply multiple coats. The color preserver generally allows the skins to stretch. Please let us know the results.

Take care
Pat

Pat Vinzant, Wetumpka AL

Many Thanks Everyone.....
I am looking forward to building this rod.....and will take all your advice into consideration......I will post the results when it is finished !!!
Thank you all for the input !!

MaryLou

MaryLou Van de Riet
Weatherford,Texas USA