A Birch bark pot

[Tengu]

As simple as it sounds. Im told it comes from Poland.

 

[huntersforge]

Now I like that. Top job

 

[Fraxinus]

A very tidy looking vessel, something to aspire to when I get around to trying to make one.

Rob.

 

[Monikieman]

A very tidy looking vessel, something to aspire to when I get around to trying to make one.

Rob.

Ditto!!!!!!

 

[Goatboy]

Oooh nice Tengu,
Quite a big one too, usually see much smaller ones. Looks nicely done.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[richardhomer]

Looks stunning.
I want one !

 

[SGL70]

Very nice!
Would live to see a WIP on this

 

[DocG]

Agreed. The birch type instructions in some books take large steps between stages. My last effort began well then hit a snag as I tried to move from a flat outline to a linked tube. As birch isn't very forgiving . . .

 

[cranmere]

Nice. I'm still looking for good birch bark that I can harvest.

 

[tsitenha]

Excellent use of birch bark, good application of craft

 

[Ruud]

Interesting, I bought this one, which looks a lot like yours on a Viking fair in Belgium. The maker was German or Polish indeed. Does yours have a makersmark like mine? (Two R's) Perhaps we can find his details on the web...

 

[Robson Valley]

Please bear in mind that no two birch trees are the same. Species and bark quality must be learned.
Same species, growing side-by-side, does not mean equal bark quality.
If you begin with inferior material, success is nearly impossible.

For example, I know a native woman who is rare in that she is very skilled at the art of birch bark
biting. She travels close to 4,000 miles round trip in northern Canada for source material.

 

[Tengu]

I have no idea Ruud, I didnt think to check it for that.

The lid fits only one way so its well made.

An ingenious material, and rather specialised...any real need for it? (Dugout canoes last longer than bark ones.)

 

[Robson Valley]

Native peoples in eastern North America have been described as "birch building people" who made effective use of a knife design called
"Mocotaugan." Birch is a multipurpose tree. They make all sorts of cups and storage containers from birch bark.

 

[Fraxinus]

For example, I know a native woman who is rare in that she is very skilled at the art of birch bark
biting. She travels close to 4,000 miles round trip in northern Canada for source material.

Is this the same lady that Ray Mears had a lesson with in one of his programmes? Very interesting craft.

An ingenious material, and rather specialised...any real need for it? (Dugout canoes last longer than bark ones.)

Birch bark canoes are easier to repair, lighter to carry and prettier than dug outs though. One could argue that a Birch bark canoe is like Trigger's broom.

https://youtu.be/BUl6PooveJE



Rob.

 

[Tengu]

Lighter, yes, very much so.

But harder to find the right tree

Dugout canoes have been used in this country from Neolithic (And presumably before, though our oldest found are Neolithic.) to Medieval...I think they are pretty durable.

Birchbark has other uses, like notepaper (as in Novrogod.) and tinder.