Gar Skin for Sheath or Handle Material

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J.McDonald Knives

J.McDonald Knives

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If anyone is interested in some I have a good amount. All of mine is off of 4-5 foot long nose gar which is an aqua green or white or a fade of the two. I might have some spotted gar which is kinda yellowish with black spots or dark green. I think It would look really cool on a sheath. Use it like you would snake skin.
 
long%20nose%20gar%20record.jpg
its a weird looking fish thats long and narrow. Google is a wonderful thing btw.
 
Sam Salvati said:
What's gar?
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This is a gar.

Meand4footLongnose.jpg

Almost5foot.jpg

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Does that answer your question? Back in the old days they would use alligator gar scales as arrowheads because it could penetrate chainmail whereas the steel arrowheads would shatter on impact. The scales on the longnose gar aren't that big. If you really need to see more pics I can take a closeup of the skin with a ruler in the picture. I think gar skin would look great on a big bowie sheath as an accent piece or even making the whole sheath out of it for a smaller knife like a hunting knife or even a fillet knife but thats just me.
 
Jacob, I have seen it before, Sherry at Green River leather sells it.How did you tan it?Dave:)
 
DC KNIVES said:
Jacob, I have seen it before, Sherry at Green River leather sells it.How did you tan it?Dave:)
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I will tan it the way my grandpa taught me when I was a kid by rubbing it with salt. If you know of a better way for me to tan it please let me know. I'm only asking for the person to pay for shipping. I have way too much fun shooting these and eating them so getting rid of the skin is not a problem. That second pic is of a 5 foot gar and it weighed about 20lbs with a girth of about 14"-16" and the other 2 are 4 footers that were about 15lbs with a girth of about 12" or so. I never measured them but just did a rough guess. Its good eating but I just have no use for the skin as of yet. Heres a pic of a spotted gar but i don't know if you can see the pattern and colors very well. It's only 33 1/2" long.

33.5SpottedGar.jpg
 
Jacob, the method I use for snakes is to wash the skin thoroughly with dish washing liquid, then hang to dry.I then stretch the skin out on a piece of cardboard and tack it down.I then apply a mixture of 1/3 Denatured Alcohol, 1/3 Acetone, and 1/3 Glycerin liberally and let dry. Then flip over and repeat the process.After this I usually let them air out for a day or two then apply baby powder and roll up and store in a ziplock bag until time to use.Before use I cut a piece off and wipe lightly with a damp cloth before gluing.Dave:)
 
Where can I get the denatured alcohol? My grandpa also used to use borax. He used to do taxidermy work when my mom was a kid.
 
You can get denatured alcohol at home depot, wal mart or any hardware store..Look in the paint section..
 
You should see the teeth on these guys. I can't wait to sink and arrow into a big gator gar and get him cooked up. I'm sure I will have the head mounted.
 
Rep-tand from tandy does fish skin very well. It stays reasonably soft with a little work.
Stacy
 
Bruce, you interested in some of it? There is a tournament being held October 13th out here at the lake and I plan on getting a lot more full length gar skins if people are interested. I'm only asking for the buyer to pay for shipping costs. Tips are always welcome. :D
 
J.McDonald Knives said:
Bruce, you interested in some of it? There is a tournament being held October 13th out here at the lake and I plan on getting a lot more full length gar skins if people are interested. I'm only asking for the buyer to pay for shipping costs. Tips are always welcome. :D
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Great offer J. I dont want any if I have to tan it myself though. Money isnt the object, stinky fish skin is.
 
If you will use the Borax, it will preserve the skin. No need to tan it. Borax stops bacteria from growing. Glue the skin on the sheath when dry, and ready, then coat with Tandy Supersheen. Maybe 4,or 5 coats. It will last well. I have a rattlesnake sheath I did 15 years ago, and its still looks great. It saw some use for a good while. The Supersheen is easily touched up, if need be. I never had to though.
 
After You get some tanned take some pics of the finnished skin. The Idea may go over better then.
Will Crump
 
Syn, you will see those alligator gar in most of the lakes and streams in North America. You just don't have to worry about them attacking you unless they feel threatened. :D Only time I have ever heard of someone getting snapped at by one is when they were pulling it in the boat after getting a couple of arrows in it while bowfishing. But gator gars only eat fish so they don't generally attack humans. :D
 
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