i piece hickory character selfbow..1st try

[bubba pharris]

whats the best way to remove bark or can you leave it own ? also how much wood should be left around knots ? any replies appreciated

[Dano]

Bubba, I would use a draw knife. or a machete with two hands. You need to remove the bark, but just the bark. The next layer is called the cambium, it will be a thin brown layer, use a scraper of some kind to clean that off down to the first growth ring of the hickory. I like to leave as much as as possible around the knot depending on it's size, it proportional really.

[PeteC]

Bubba,you may already have your tree cut,and if so ,do just like Dano said.But,if you can cut your trees in spring ,right after the sap has risen good,the bark,and a lot of the cambium will strip right off ,then ,what you see is the back of your new stave. I cut all my whitewoods in the spring of the year because it's so much easier. God Bless

[bubba pharris]

thanks for your help