Snakeskin sheath and hatband

[Mary-Margaret]

I tanned a rattlesnake skin with glycerin and denatured alcohol. I made a hatband and want to make a knife sheath. The skin still has the scales on it. Can anyone advise me what product to use on both to keep the scales from popping off and give both items a nice, waterproof, flexible coating? My hat looks like it has dandruff.

 

[Big Ol’ Hauger]

I did a timber rattler a couple of years ago, same method. You should remove the scales. They’ll fall off eventually, anyway. The skin underneath the scales will still have the same pattern, and will be more pliable. The colors of the skin actually are a bit more vibrant afterwards, too.

 

[Big Ol’ Hauger]

Without scales:

 

[Big Ol’ Hauger]

To keep it nice and pliable, you can use some glycerin on occasion. There’s some other stuff on the web if you search. I think regular skin cream even works. As far as waterproofing goes, I’d guess you would need something oil or wax based.

 

[Mary-Margaret]

I did a timber rattler a couple of years ago, same method. You should remove the scales. They’ll fall off eventually, anyway. The skin underneath the scales will still have the same pattern, and will be more pliable. The colors of the skin actually are a bit more vibrant afterwards, too.

How should I do this, since the hatband already has been glued and sewn?

 

[Billy The Blade]

Without scales:

Very Nice...