Where is the best place to buy snake skins? I am really wanting to try some snake inlays on my next rod and would like to get the best deal and skins that I can. I also have never done anything like this before so I could use some pointers as well!


Thanks
Mike Nash

How wide were the pieces? I was just searching and found this page (http://www.genuineostrichhides.com/rattle-snake-hides.html) (please delete link if this is against fourm rules!!). If this is the same product it would be one heck of a lot cheaper that getting the $2.50 per inch mudhole stuff. Snake skin is snake skin right?

Ther is a lady from Texas that specializes is snake skin. To the question is it snake skin. of course it is snake skin . Where do you think the snakes got it from a chicken LOL You do know snake tast like chicken LOL
Good Wrap Bob

The "best" place to get snake skins = ICRBE in a few weeks ... High Point, NC. There will be a nice booth there FULL of wiggly things.

The second best place IMO would be Mud Hole (vendor list to left). They get their skins from a very good source that does a great job with the tanning.

IF you were planning to buy at least $100-150 worth of skins, you could go direct ... otherwise, it wouldn't be worth the trouble. You might save $0.50/inch, but you will end up paying separate freight. When ordering from Mud Hole, it rides with the rest of the order.

There is another issue with trying to "save" money ... you might get burned. Unless you know what you are buying and from whom, stick with known entities. If you aren't happy with a product from a vendor to the left, you are MUCH more likely to have recourse than from some anonymous company you find on the internet.

BTW, you will only need 6-8" to do a very nice inlay on a rod.

First off, let me say I haven't worked w/ snakeskins, but I did sit in on a local seminar by Mary Lou last year. From what I remember, it's important to know what preservatives were used on the skins, as some aren't compatible for our purposes, and may have to be "de-oiled" before application. May be another reason to stick w/ a rodbuilding source, at least until you've done a few.
Jerry

Jerry and Jim make very good points. The best place I have found is The Skin Shop. I don't think they have a web address, but they are the folks who have the booth at the ICRBE in High Point. Mary Lou VanDeriot is also a good supplier. She is the the lady talked about above in Texas. You can contact her by doing a search on her name in the search function above. Also look at Ray Adams site to get Pat VanZandt's tutorial on using snake skins on rods>>>----------->[rodbuilding_tutorials.webs.com]

Bill in WV

For Snake Skins and Instructions follow the link below:
[www.mudhole.com]

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Just called in the order and got rod supplies and snake skin! I would just like to say that it was another great shopping experiance with mudhole. The guy I talked with was very nice and had just done a snake wrap. I could tell that he was into the hobby and really gave a crap about what he was selling. That kind of thing is not too common these days. Thanks also to everyone for the advice on the skin. I will go wholesale for skins if I really get into the skin inlay thing and do well at it.





Mike

I bought three skins at the ICRBE in High Point last year at what I thought were very fair prices. The folks in the both were extremely helpful pointing me in the right direction to get started. I've made 5-6 rods with the snake skin over the past year and was thrilled with the results. I consider it very easy to work with and it looks amazing under epoxy. If you are going to the show talk to the people selling the skin. They had rods on display that will make you very excited to try it. I posted a couple pictures of a fly rod I recently built with snake skin if anyone wants to see what a total novice can do with the stuff. Check it out under Brandan Martin.