Getting bark off Hazel (for walking stick)

[woodmunky]

Does anyone know the best way to remove bark from a Hazel stick? Have used a spoke shave before, but looking to see if there are any neat tricks that are potentially a little quicker.

Thanks,
Steve

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[MrEd]

Much easier when green, otherwise a spike shave or a good knife is about the best way I have found

 

[Ruud]

When green I keep the knife fixed and I pull the stick.

When dry I plant the stick in the ground and apply the technique for feathersticking.

I find a SAK gives better slicing action than a scandi for this kind of job.

 

[Macaroon]

Soak the stick for twenty four hours, or longer, and then use a heat gun whilst going at it gently with the knife or tool of your choice; the bark will mostly come of easily with this method. As a great side benefit of this way of doing it, the stick is also in the right condition to do any subtle bending or straightening that may be desirable.

This method has worked very well for me, and has the added plus of making it much easier to mitigate gouges and other damage to the wood underneath, giving a much more natural look to the finished stick and eliminating a good bit of sanding.

 

[woodmunky]

Soak the stick for twenty four hours, or longer, and then use a heat gun whilst going at it gently with the knife or tool of your choice; the bark will mostly come of easily with this method. As a great side benefit of this way of doing it, the stick is also in the right condition to do any subtle bending or straightening that may be desirable.

This method has worked very well for me, and has the added plus of making it much easier to mitigate gouges and other damage to the wood underneath, giving a much more natural look to the finished stick and eliminating a good bit of sanding.

Will give that a go, thank you!

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[Andy T]

Use a spoon knife, it will come off quickly and easily. Use an ordinary knife around any knots.

 

[Robson Valley]

When was the stick harvested?
The bark peels most easily from all sticks in the spring.
Just when woody growth begins again.
The newest very young wood is extremely soft so the bark pulls away most easily.
Any other time of the year or seasoned dry, removing bark is hard work with any tools.

 

[woodmunky]

When was the stick harvested?
The bark peels most easily from all sticks in the spring.
Just when woody growth begins again.
The newest very young wood is extremely soft so the bark pulls away most easily.
Any other time of the year or seasoned dry, removing bark is hard work with any tools.

Very good advice, hadn't thought of varying when harvesting them, so that's good to know indeed!

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[woodmunky]

Use a spoon knife, it will come off quickly and easily. Use an ordinary knife around any knots.

I do actually have a spoon knife, so will give that a go. On reflection, it would seem a better fit for the job! Thanks

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[woodmunky]

When was the stick harvested?
The bark peels most easily from all sticks in the spring.
Just when woody growth begins again.
The newest very young wood is extremely soft so the bark pulls away most easily.
Any other time of the year or seasoned dry, removing bark is hard work with any tools.

Haven't harvested them yet, still trying to locate a landowner who'll let me.

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[Robson Valley]

There is a rustic furniture shop down my street.
They make everything from staircase banisters and queen-size beds to walking sticks and canes.
They plan, to the day, when to harvest diamond willow in the spring. Should be soon, now here at 53N.
Then they work like hell to strip the bark from 5 cords (4' x 4' x 8') of willow which will be binned to dry for some years.
The bark comes off like banana peel! They use big screwdrivers to get under the bark to pull off long strips.

 

[woodmunky]

There is a rustic furniture shop down my street.
They make everything from staircase banisters and queen-size beds to walking sticks and canes.
They plan, to the day, when to harvest diamond willow in the spring. Should be soon, now here at 53N.
Then they work like hell to strip the bark from 5 cords (4' x 4' x 8') of willow which will be binned to dry for some years.
The bark comes off like banana peel! They use big screwdrivers to get under the bark to pull off long strips.

I'm certainly hoping I can get some over the coming weeks and try this; I'm really hoping I can get it to come off on strips, that would be ideal Thanks for the advice

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[Robson Valley]

I have never been out with the furniture shop guys.
I suspect that they go for a drive to their "plot" and test a stem or two.
Then they wait. They work in swamps so they use quads and trailers and chain saws.
5 full cords is a lot of sticks and a mountain of bark peelings.

FWIW, my advice is to try stripping a pencil-thick twig or three.
Not very invasive but you will get some idea of when the bark starts "slipping."
Then you cut maybe 8' sticks. Don't bother to seal the ends. Expect some end-cracking.
Don't cook the sticks in a shed, they will dry, about 1" thickness per year.

Lots of woods go from cheese to bone when they dry.
If you have a notion to do any carving, working green fresh wood is really fun.

 

[woodmunky]

I have never been out with the furniture shop guys.
I suspect that they go for a drive to their "plot" and test a stem or two.
Then they wait. They work in swamps so they use quads and trailers and chain saws.
5 full cords is a lot of sticks and a mountain of bark peelings.

FWIW, my advice is to try stripping a pencil-thick twig or three.
Not very invasive but you will get some idea of when the bark starts "slipping."
Then you cut maybe 8' sticks. Don't bother to seal the ends. Expect some end-cracking.
Don't cook the sticks in a shed, they will dry, about 1" thickness per year.

Lots of woods go from cheese to bone when they dry.
If you have a notion to do any carving, working green fresh wood is really fun.

So much good advice there! Much appreciated

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[Andy T]

I do actually have a spoon knife, so will give that a go. On reflection, it would seem a better fit for the job! Thanks

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Don't put the stick inside the spoon knife, keep it on the outside.
Looking from above it should be something like this.
O(
sorry best i could do ive made alot of staffs and this is the easiest way ive found.

 

[Robson Valley]

A used and worn down farrier's hoof trimming knife is an economical option, if you can find one.