question about birchbark

[Two Socks]

If I want to use birchbark as a spacer in a knifehandle, do I have to do anything special with it first? Or do I just cut it to size, make a hole for the tang, and glue it like I would do normally? I can imagine shrinking/deforming can be a problem, so I figured I should ask before doing things horribly wrong

I have a piece of birch here with bark approximately 2 mm thick.

Thanks!

 

[Puchal]

Cheers!

I'm not sure, if this one will help. In below project, the sheath was made from the birch bark, but spacer from thick hide.
Besides the cleaning, sanding with fine sandpaper, and de-greasing (I started with glueing, than sew with leather cord) I had not treated the birch bark with anything else..
I did however waxed the whole sheath at the end.
Sheath is strong and solid. No cracks, or splits found.
Remember to avoid drilling in birch bark. Instead make holes with awl. This prevents spiting according to R. Maers

 

[Two Socks]

Thanks! I will clean up a piece of bark, and get this project going.

You`ve just convinced me that I need to try and make a sheath out of bark too soon. That is really cool!

 

[Puchal]

Good Luck Two Socks!
Here is another photo, showing seams:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TBf0KrLeScY/TObTOUMgOFI/AAAAAAAAKLE/BqmoaBg881c/s912/DSC04009.JPG

And on this one, you can see the spacer:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4hU3JifxBKo/TObT2yVBHAI/AAAAAAAAKLE/y_Q108lbLU8/s912/DSC04015.JPG
Well! I have this one laying in my storage (pilled off from the fallen tree). You have just encouraged me to think of a good use for this peace :
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJMhFoGvSyQ/TOlS5kr_QUI/AAAAAAAAKPM/oHm2mXgEhRQ/s912/DSC04044.JPG

 

[Two Socks]

I am afraid that my bark/log is too dry to be of use in this case. It is nice and thick bark, but it doesn`t come off in proper pieces. It just chips of in tiny flakes and is very brittle. I guess it is time to find a fallen birchtree somewhere...

 

[maethor]

This link shows how to make a whole handle out of birch bark. I hope it is of use to you. I've seen a thread about a knife with a stacked birch bark handle recently, on bladeforums.com. I'll try to dig it up tonight.

Edit: From the research I have done, the bark should be harvested fresh from the tree and then left to dry in a cool, dark, dry area. Apply some pressure to the bark using a press or just two pieces of plywood with some weight on top.

Cutting a ring of bark off a birch will probably kill it, so you should wait until a birch is cut down or blown down by a storm to harvest the bark. For your project, a branch that was cut from the tree (I'm thinking something like 3-4" in diameter) should provide more than enough bark and some great firewood!

 

[Two Socks]

Thanks Maethor! That also explains why my seasoned birch is giving me a hard time. For the project I wanted to use it in I ended up using leather squares from an old belt, but I will keep on the lookout for birch that is (about to be) felled. If only it would be to make me one of the sheaths shown above for the knife I wanted it in

 

[brancho]

Soak it in some water and it may still be OK

 

[Puchal]

I am afraid that my bark/log is too dry to be of use in this case. It is nice and thick bark, but it doesn`t come off in proper pieces. It just chips of in tiny flakes and is very brittle. I guess it is time to find a fallen birchtree somewhere...

Hi Two Socks
Some time ago, I made few photos during harvesting birch bark from the fallen trunk. I hope this will help.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IDb0oBWT0oI/TOlSI3bJRkI/AAAAAAAAKPM/QQHULNkbEes/s912/DSC04039.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ewD_Yhwk_k8/TOlSSYkBMYI/AAAAAAAAKPM/Tl3DttzWuDs/s912/DSC04040.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TP9a4HgFYTQ/TOlScEH2h7I/AAAAAAAAKPM/v3LIsQBZsX0/s912/DSC04041.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-apr-RV3PI94/TOlSlrM3SXI/AAAAAAAAKPM/kcsNZRTqlvo/s912/DSC04042.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n8se2TZq258/TOlSv1iTxDI/AAAAAAAAKPM/osxe7IFzvWA/s912/DSC04043.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJMhFoGvSyQ/TOlS5kr_QUI/AAAAAAAAKPM/oHm2mXgEhRQ/s912/DSC04044.JPG

I have collected two sheets this way. They will be used for two smoking pipes carrying container I already made on in the tube shape. This time it will resemble a small case.

brancho is right. Soke it, but apply pressure, by putting a stone on the top of the sheet. Otherwise they ti will roll.

 

[Two Socks]

I think I`d rather look for fresh birch then to soak the seasoned stuff I have here so I can use the wood without having to wait ages till it is dry again. Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it!

 

[Martti]

According to various Finnish guides it is best to let the bark dry a little before use. Sheets should be piled up with inner side facing inner side etc. You do not need to even use a glue if you would like to a handle to your knife; just pile up as much of sheets as you can to the tang. Two millimeters is quite thick if from a young tree; is it just an outside bark or does it include some of the inner (softer) bark?

 

[Two Socks]

I guess this would be the time to start taking pictures. I`ll get some up tonight.

 

[Two Socks]

And the piece with my knife for size.