Ash Bark Container Making (lots of Pics)

[markwood]

I attended a Bushcraft Course here in the UK a couple of weeks ago where I got the opportunity to make a container / basket from Ash bark. We don't usually get good birch bark over here and Ash bark makes a good alternative. It proved easy to remove at this time of year as the sap was flowing merrily.

I used my Chris Reeve Shadow IV extensively along with a Fiskars hatchet, cheap folding saw and Leatherman Core. I also used a borrowed Bahco Laplander saw.

The first job was to fell an ash tree about 4-5 inches in diameter (with permission of course!) which was achieved using the saw. Next a wooden 'spud' or chisel was carved to hep remove the bark. This picture shows Steve Charlton the instructor using his Bernie Garland knife to carve the spud (I used my CR):

The spud was then used to remove the bark, along with the fingers!

Here's the tree I was using and the slit bark:

Here's all the bark we removed from my piece of tree:

We then made digging sticks and 'brakes' (sticks with 'V' shaped notches) to dig up and strip spruce roots:

Here's Steve using a digging stick and antler pick to loosen the soil above the spruce roots:

Here are some exposed roots:

Here are the roots I dug up (a bit thick) with gratuitous CR pic:

The thick roots need splitting which is slow going if you are not used to it. The trick of bending one side back more sharply to correct run offs does work but it is hard on the fingers! I ended up sticking with overly thick roots due to time limitations.

The Bark is then spread flat and an oval scored on the outside. The bark is then folded and stiched at the sides. I used my LM Core's awl for the scoring and piercing:

continued below.

 

[markwood]

The top is trimmed and some strips of bark are sewn over the rim. The roots were really too thick but the concept is proved! A propper awl is better than the LM Core as well but it will do the job:

Better picture:

I finished off by stitching the sides (sorry no photo - I've not got round to taking one of the finished basket but will do so).

All in all an excellent day considering the basket was made without any prepared materials.

 

[siguy]

very cool basket there, even considering your limitations (time, thick roots, etc)

 

[mete]

Nice project ! Here in the USA we have an increasing problem of the Emerald Ash Borer , an oriental import that is destroying ash trees. We still have birch.

 

[markwood]

I've not heard of any problems with Ash in the UK. The lack of cold winters apparently means that the Birch Bark isn't usually thick enough to work with.

 

[psy-ops]

Awesome. Those are the kind of projects I love to do. Really hones your skills and creative problem solving.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

I've not heard of any problems with Ash in the UK. The lack of cold winters apparently means that the Birch Bark isn't usually thick enough to work with.

Good job, markwood. It is refreshing to see threads which are bushcrafty (?) in nature. In a wilderness survival forum, there should be more emphasis on threads like this and less on knives (he says while putting on his flame suit )

Is the problem with the Birch the lack of cold winters or because Europe (and Asia) has a native white Birch (Betula pendula) that is a different species than our native white Birch (B. papyrifera) and whose bark peels differently?

Doc

 

[riddleofsteel]

Here in the southeastern US we are plagued with Chinese wisteria vines choking large areas of wood lots. The vines are EXTREMELY strong and will seldom break even after multiple turns and bends. We use them to lash shelter poles and do woven fish traps. I bet the smaller vines, peeled of bark would make nice basket lashings as well. I have used wisteria vines with the bark still on them to make regular baskets and fish traps with great results.

Warning; most parts of the wisteria vine are toxic to ingest and show not be used for containers or baskets that are used to gather or store foods that humans directly consume. To my knowledge skin contact with vines causes no problems. Contact with fish or shellfish does not transmit toxic substances to the animals or their flesh.

 

[markwood]

I believe its mostly silver birch (Betula pendula ) round here but the difference between that and white birch is beyond my knowledge!

I'm glad people like the pictures - I've got some more photo's of a leaf debris shelter from an earlier course that I'll post in another thread.

Mark

 

[3wolves]

Really nice pics. I like the debris shelter but I would rather not spend the night in one unless I absolutely had to. Too many creepy crawlies in the leaves and on the ground. I would much rather make a swamp bed with fresh cut pine boughs as bedding and insulation. IMO, I agree with DOC, too much emphises is placed on gear and knives instead of skill and technique. I would really like to see more threads like this.

 

[Fiddleback]

Very nice! Did he teach any way to seal it so it'd hold water??

 

[Mikel_24]

...Really nice pics. I like the debris shelter but I would rather not spend the night in one unless I absolutely had to. Too many creepy crawlies in the leaves and on the ground....

Agreed. I am not to fond on having creatures crawling over me at night. If you really need to... then anything goes! I guess that in winter and subzero conditions there won't be many creepe crwlies there though.
Mikel

 

[Blue Sky]

The Bark is then spread flat and an oval scored on the outside.

Thanks markwood, nice job. Looks like a very handy and durable container. How long did it take, or maybe better yet how long would it take to make another, now that you know what you're doing? And would you please explain about "scoring the oval", I don't see what the purpose of that was?

 

[jawilder]

Wonderful pics and great job especially using the tools you had available. Keep em coming.

 

[Yadeadman]

Great job it's nice to see someone using their Reeve knife for something other than a paper weight.

 

[Diamond Dog]

That basket is cool, and something I can keep in my mind when I go back out to the woods to try. Those Reeves knives seem very capable, definately a cool thread thanks for the pics and tutorial!

 

[pitdog]

It's nice to get a bit of banter from a canny toon army lad, especially when ya give us a deeky at such cool stuff !!!

Ok well that's my poor attempt at Geordie talk !!! Being an ex-brit it's always good to see another on here. The UK may be small but they sure know their Bushcraft !!!:thumbup:

Ps. I work with a geordie over here and nobody except me can understand him !!!!

 

[markwood]

Why-aye Pitdog - I'm originally from Bradford (so that should be ey-up) but I've been in 'the toon' for about 18 years now so I'm just getting the hang of the lingo.

Blue sky:
The oval is scored from one side to the other of the sheet either side of the centre line. As the sides are brought together and overlapped the bark assumes a kind of 'thunderbirds' hat shape. I'll take a picture of the bottom so you can see.

It didn't take that long to make the container - reckon with the materials to hand it could easily be done in an hour or so, quicker with practice. The bugger is getting the bark and the roots!

here's the finished version with stitched sides and a handle:

Ms3902:
The Reeve was excellent - I know Moras are the in thing but it did everything I needed it to, was comforable and held its edge.

Regarding the shelter - beech leeves are pretty inedible even for insects so there are very few in the covering. A good thickness - a foot or so, including a lot of the gunky rotten stuff, should keep out the rain.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

The purpose of the 'oval' is to increase the inside area of the bottom of the basket as compared to a simple folded bottom. It also gives it a concave profile (as you can see in Mark's bottom picture), so if you're gathering berries, for example, and the basket is fastened diagonally around you, Baldric style, the concave base of the basket will rest on your bent knee allowing you to gather berries with both hands!

Doc

 

[Blue Sky]

The oval, it's clear now. Thanks for the explanations and pics.:thumbup: