Stephen
Member
Is it a good idea to make fish skin blanks? If so how do you prepare the skin to get the fishy smell off? And what else...
Thanks
Stephen
Thanks
Stephen
Is it a good idea to make fish skin blanks? If so how do you prepare the skin to get the fishy smell off? And what else...
Thanks
Stephen
Stephen,
You don't need a tanning kit. Sking the fish and pin the skin to a board stretched tight. Scrape off any meat still left on and then thoroughly cover it with 20 Mule Team borax available at any grocery store. Let it dry for a week or so and then scrape off the borax and you skin will be dry and cured. It will be a little stiff but that is not a problem. I usually then wash it in alcohol since it dried fast. Now it is ready to use. If it is too stiff, simply soak in alcohol a little while and then wrap on the tube.
I have done the gar pen I posted, plecostomos, and channel catfish. The catfish was very boring and not worth the trouble. The plecostomos was ok but not great. Of course the gar turned out great.
Like Jeff said, the color is mostly in the scales and it is nearly impossible to use the skin without knocking off the scales. I tried an orange Koi and there was no real color left without the scales.
Hi, Do you have any pics of Pleco skin pen?
Cheers
I got some from Glimmerz 'N Things. It was perch dyed scarlet. Very striking, sold that pen right quick, a Cigar. Don't know if they are still around. Nice folks and good blanks but kinda sloppy on the business part.