Birch bark spacers

[Fiddleback]

I have four river birch trees in my yard. Beautiful, but messy. Anyway is it possible for me to harvest some of the bark for spacers? Do I take the stuff flaking off of the tree, or do I need to peel a section off of the trunk? How long does it need to dry? If I can't harvest it myself, where can I buy it?

 

[kronckew]

sounds like a bit of experimentation is in order, try some of each. i gather that birch bark handles are made of layers upon layers soaked in glue then compressed under pressure while curing, like this puukko now winging it's way to me. it'll be my 1st with a birch bark handle, so i have a reason for also being interested.

 

[Robert Mayo]

Andy if you go in the forest where there are birch trees there will be lots of dead trees on the forest floor. Birch will totaly rot and leave just the bark. If you take too much bark off your trees they will die.

Bob

 

[Fiddleback]

Andy if you go in the forest where there are birch trees there will be lots of dead trees on the forest floor. Birch will totaly rot and leave just the bark. If you take too much bark off your trees they will die.

Bob

Thanks Bob. Good to know.

 

[Howard Wallace]

I have four river birch trees in my yard. Beautiful, but messy. Anyway is it possible for me to harvest some of the bark for spacers? Do I take the stuff flaking off of the tree, or do I need to peel a section off of the trunk? How long does it need to dry? If I can't harvest it myself, where can I buy it?

Two books that go into this are Knifemaking by Bergman, (out of print) and antlerknife by Avander. Both say that you have to remove the flaky white outer portion of the bark prior to use. I don't think the flaky part coming off the tree will be of any use to you.

I googled "birch bark" and found vendors, if you want to buy it. For instance http://www.barkcanoe.com/materials.htm is one.

 

[Fiddleback]

I saw the vendors too. Thanks for the help Howard. Not the flaky part huh? I've just been eyeing those trees for months now. I think I'm going to order some instead.