Snake Headed Sgian

[JS Sanders]

I recently completed this functional snake-headed sgian. It was cast in polyurethane resin from a mold made from a roadkilled ratsnake.

The bolster was a scrap of marble-finish Corian. If I'd thought ahead, a section of its skin would've been saved & tanned to be a complimentary sheath. Too soon old, too late smart.

An accomplished photographer I ain't, so photos don't illustrate the details clearly as I'd like.



Next is the same dead snake, but different proto-prototype casts. I cast it in clear resin and did a few trials with powdered copper, and then black, using soot as a colorant.

These would make an interesting kilt pin, cap badge, ad nauseum. A green casting as either a snake- handled sgian or kilt pin would be very apropos for the St Paddy Season.

This poor old snake had a tough life and an ignominious ending. He had a smaller left eyeball, and there's scarring around it as well. I cannot determine if it was from a previous injury, or was congenital. A cut suffered during his final exposure to tire poisoning can be seen on the left.









Last week, I found a fresh road-killed black racer and created these castings…



This was a young adult snake and he was slender in build (as racers are) so a sgian from it would be a bit more stiletto-like.

As terribly warm as it is currently, finding road-killed snakes is difficult at best. Hopefully as temps moderate, I’ll find more deceased subjects. I’d gladly trade completed sgians for specimens…

Slainte yall,
steve

[hospitaller]

ooh ooh ooh!

I HAVE to get ME one of THESE!

Im going out to look for specimens to send you. (not really, it is too hawt out)

[JS Sanders]

Should receive several sgian blanks early this week, so more can be fashioned PDQ. PM me if you'd like one reserved.

NOTA BENE: to whom it concerns, no live specimens please. The first eight inches of the animals' business end should be plenty. And... don't forget to ship on ice. Carriers really get PO'd when their parcels include decaying flesh.

Slainte,
steve

[RedBeard]

Hats off man thats awesome.

[Arlen]

That is really, really cool and a very interesting idea. Well done to you!

[Carolina Kiltman]

Cool Have you thought about setting some red stones for eyes?

[JS Sanders]

<< Have you thought about setting some red stones for eyes? >>

I'd need sufficient demand to warrant purchasing the inventory. Good idea & worth consideration.

Slainte,
steve

[McFarkus]

very cool

[Bugbear]

That is a cool idea... You might even make molds of animal tracks and use them as pins or that type of thing. I have a key chain with one of my cat's paw prints on it.

[JS Sanders]

<< You might even make molds of animal tracks and use them as pins or that type of thing. >>

Outstanding idea. Just gotta find the tracks....

Slainte,
steve