Hi Gnu,
Thanks for that, I will try again. It terms of the O'Kane I have never owned one of the tensioning band types as I have always thought that would lead to always playing the drum in the same position with the tensioning block at 6 o'clock so to speak. Also if you get any wear and tear on the "normal" O'Kanes you can get a replacement delrin block or whatever at a local hardware store. Having said that the one in the vid is eight years or so old and I've never had to replace or renew anything. I hope that's not the kiss of death on it now!
In terms of any treatment on the skin I have never used anything on there (not even holy water!), and have never had a need to. You know, Seamus is a bit of an alchemist in treating the lambeg skins he gets and no one can really match him. If Anyone doubts that look no further than the fact that Metloef Bodhráns and Chris Hedwitschak (despite all the clever Dragonskin and kangaroo heads etc. they use) still get their lambeg skins via Seamus.
I hope if you do decide to shell out for one you are happy with it, as otherwise I will feel like you do when you recommend a restaurant to a friend and they hate it!