Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: yazoo on February 03, 2009, 03:52:22 pm

Title: birch bark question
Post by: yazoo on February 03, 2009, 03:52:22 pm

I have some birch bark , and its rolled up , how can I flatten it with out cracking it?

Title: Re: birch bark question
Post by: JackCrafty on February 03, 2009, 04:00:27 pm

How do you know it will crack?  Did you try bending a piece of it?

Birch bark is pretty pliable, but if it's really dry then you might want to dunk the whole thing in water (and soak it for an hour or so) before you flatten it out.  If you want it to stay flat, then put some rocks on top of it while it is drying on a flat surface.

Title: Re: birch bark question
Post by: yazoo on February 03, 2009, 04:41:09 pm

Its rolled up and very dry,

Title: Re: birch bark question
Post by: DanaM on February 03, 2009, 05:03:13 pm

You can try soaking it but I don't think its going to work as BB is water proof, thats why they used it for canoes.
If your going to back a bow with it you need to peel off a paper thin layer to use. Best to dry it flat when its fresh

Title: Re: birch bark question
Post by: Marc St Louis on February 03, 2009, 05:17:25 pm

Put it in hot water, the hotter the better

Title: Re: birch bark question
Post by: yazoo on February 03, 2009, 10:44:31 pm

thanks i will try the hot water, I think I got it from Marc st louis a few years ago on paleo planet,