Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: sleek on October 22, 2016, 05:08:14 pm

Title: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 22, 2016, 05:08:14 pm
So i got some bark and it is pretty thick. Does it need to be thinned down? How thick is it when applied typically?
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: mullet on October 22, 2016, 06:37:45 pm
Paper thin, at least it is on my Horn Bow.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Pat B on October 22, 2016, 07:15:08 pm
You should be able to peel thin layers off of what you have. Is it paper(canoe) birch?
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 22, 2016, 08:37:09 pm
I got plenty of river Burch in the yard and they r peeling like crazy since hurricane Mathew!  Can you piece it or does it have to be one continous sheet? I have decided to make a red oak board bow and this would look better than fiberglass drywall tape me thinks!!!
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: mullet on October 22, 2016, 09:53:41 pm
My bow has thin 1/2" strips layered continously down the limb.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Pat B on October 22, 2016, 09:54:35 pm
Paper birch is the only birch bark I've heard of using as backing and it can be use decoratively or as a moisture barrier. I don't thing river birch bark would be more than decorative.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 22, 2016, 10:09:22 pm
Tight bond III should make it a moisture barrier, right?
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 23, 2016, 10:20:49 am
I can work with this!  So let's say I back my red oak board bow with the fiberglass tape. After its cleaned up can I put birch bark on top for looks. This is sounding better looking.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 23, 2016, 10:21:55 am
Could somebody put a pic of s birch bark bow?
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Pat B on October 23, 2016, 11:22:17 am
Why  are you using FG tape  as a backing? There are lots of backing materials better than FG tape. IMO.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: PatM on October 23, 2016, 11:25:58 am
Could somebody put a pic of s birch bark bow?
(http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp78/pat_05/IMG_0884.jpg)
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 23, 2016, 11:34:03 am
Wow that's great Patm!!!    Do you glue the paper thin bark and coat it with Tightbond II and sand it again?  It's a beautiful bow for sure!!!
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: BowEd on October 23, 2016, 11:34:59 am
sleek...It comes off in layers like Pat said.I had to get mine from a canoe maker in Oregon since there's not much birch growing here.Thickness wise I get it around typing paper thin ten/one thousands thick and 1.5" wide or as wide as the bow.A little thicker does'n hurt I guess but below 1/32" thick anyway.I'd soak it in water then to make it a little more pliable for the characterish places on a bow.Usually around 2' long for my use.You can get it longer if you want.TB 3 works good for applying it on.Sizng both surfaces.Put it on just like a snake skin.I've seen people wrap it on too in thinner strips, but I don't prefer to do it that way.Each to his own.It does seem to be a very good vapor barrier.I use it on sinew backed bows.Just as good as snake skin.
Orrum...Here's a pic
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad41/Beadman1/DSCN0998_zps0u28fbax.jpg) (http://s920.photobucket.com/user/Beadman1/media/DSCN0998_zps0u28fbax.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 23, 2016, 11:37:41 am
Patb that's what is on a how to site I found. What else can be used. I don't like the idea of silk or linen or paper and have no sinew. I am toying with maybe a one eight strip of wood but that sounds hard for a newbie. I figured fiberglass would help me with strength the easiest. I am going to put a cedar handle on it.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: PatM on October 23, 2016, 12:08:16 pm
Wow that's great Patm!!!    Do you glue the paper thin bark and coat it with Tightbond II and sand it again?  It's a beautiful bow for sure!!!
   
   It's just glued on over the sinew and coated with tru-oil and wax. No point in sanding it.

  BTW why are you against silk/linen and OK with glass tape, especially on a primitive site? Won't get any support for that.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Badly Bent on October 23, 2016, 12:44:10 pm
Heres one I did a few years ago. Paper birch bark with assorted colors of leather dye for drama. ;)
Did another on osage a few months ago but no longer have a functioning camera for pics, this ones on buckthorn.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 23, 2016, 07:02:40 pm
The fiberglass thing sounds really strong and I thought as s first bow it would be hedging my bet on breaking my bow. Now I am leaning more to what will look natural. I only have a cell phone to look stuff up and a terrible signal so searching isn't easy. What options do yall use? I really don't want my first bow to break!  Gonna peel birch tomoro and try it on some knife handles for decoration.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 23, 2016, 07:04:34 pm
Another nice one badly bent!#!
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Chris3kilo on October 24, 2016, 12:35:12 am
Use the fiberglass tape then. Who cares if it isn't primitive. Neither is titebond III or laminated bows :laugh: ;D
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 12:45:16 am
(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/20161023_180048_zpssukfke5u.jpg) (http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/rocketernally/media/20161023_180048_zpssukfke5u.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 12:46:56 am
I decided to use some bits for a wrap. Feels like a combo of cork and leather. I love it. So my hunting bow slightly ticked got a handle upgrade....
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 12:47:30 am
(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/20161023_182710_zpsfj5exwil.jpg) (http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/rocketernally/media/20161023_182710_zpsfj5exwil.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: bubby on October 24, 2016, 02:25:26 am
Patb that's what is on a how to site I found. What else can be used. I don't like the idea of silk or linen or paper and have no sinew. I am toying with maybe a one eight strip of wood but that sounds hard for a newbie. I figured fiberglass would help me with strength the easiest. I am going to put a cedar handle on it.

That fg tape won't add any strength and silk linen or paper will all look better than the fg tape. Why do you have to back it anyway?
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: loon on October 24, 2016, 05:46:05 am
That bow looks sleek!

...

Full draw & unbraced please
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 07:55:58 am
That bow looks sleek!

...

Full draw & unbraced please

Just do a search for slightly ticked. I made a big thread on it.

Here you go loon

http://www.primitivearcher.com/smf/index.php/topic,53940.0.html
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: maatus on October 24, 2016, 07:58:45 am
I've birch bark wrapped 2 sinew backed bows, this one is the latest. I know, it could've been done better, but I'm happy with this, works as it should and holds fine. I used a small amount of gelatine added to the hot water.

Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 24, 2016, 08:05:08 am
Wow great pics and thanks so much!!!   Birch bark certainly has a unique look. The handle sounds very comfortable. I like your bows curve Sleek!!!   So if fiberglass doesn't add strength then what does?
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 08:25:50 am
Wood. Wood adds strength. Best thing ro make a bow of ironically. Rawhide helps reduce breakage, probably better than fg tape. Also looks good. Rawhide comes in the form of dog bone chews. Soak it, unrwavel it, flatten it while it dries, sand it thin as you dare, glue it on. Done.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 08:26:41 am
I've birch bark wrapped 2 sinew backed bows, this one is the latest. I know, it could've been done better, but I'm happy with this, works as it should and holds fine. I used a small amount of gelatine added to the hot water.

I like this bow, got a link on it?
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 24, 2016, 10:09:10 am
Ahhh dog bone chews!!!!   Brilliant absout genius!!!
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 10:36:26 am
All these beautiful exapmles. Here is how mine turned out. The bark I had was this thin pieces glued on to a burlap ribbon. I couldnt find a solid piece, so I did it in patches. Came out neat looking I think, like a natural camouflage.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 10:36:55 am
(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/20161023_163508_zpsmjmkk56h.jpg) (http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/rocketernally/media/20161023_163508_zpsmjmkk56h.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 10:37:26 am
(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/20161023_163455_zpsvjr5dehs.jpg) (http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/rocketernally/media/20161023_163455_zpsvjr5dehs.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 10:37:45 am
What do yall think?
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 24, 2016, 11:43:13 am
Way cool I think burlap and birch will be the trick for me! Thanx Sleek!
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: GlisGlis on October 24, 2016, 11:47:10 am
it'll look great once oiled.
The bow it's really nice !!
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 11:57:32 am
Way cool I think burlap and birch will be the trick for me! Thanx Sleek!

Dont misunderstand, i took the burlap off by soaking in water to release the glue. Bought it at Michael's.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Urufu_Shinjiro on October 24, 2016, 04:01:23 pm
In the historical recreation society I'm in we have a lot of safety rules etc, probably more than most groups as we're a large international 403c, so before each person shoots at the archery range at our weekend events they need to have their bow and arrows inspected by the archery marshal. I can just imagine someone bringing that bow to an inexperienced marshal and them having a fit over what looks like a limb that's patchworked together, lol.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 24, 2016, 04:14:51 pm
Oh I see you removed the burlap.  Hmmm, back to the drawing board.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: BowEd on October 24, 2016, 06:42:31 pm
Good way to make use of scrap pieces of birch bark but you could of accomplished the same thing using a brown paper shopping bag.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Badly Bent on October 24, 2016, 07:14:47 pm
I like it Sleek, as GlisGlis said some oil finish would likely really give it some pop.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 07:21:36 pm
But it wouldnt be natural, or birch bark, or water proof.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 24, 2016, 07:22:15 pm
I like it Sleek, as GlisGlis said some oil finish would likely really give it some pop.

Got some tru oil, going on it tonight.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: BowEd on October 24, 2016, 07:35:08 pm
lol...OK.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: BowEd on October 24, 2016, 07:47:58 pm
It's a mozaic painting sleek.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Orrum on October 24, 2016, 10:07:21 pm
I put Tru Oil on Muscatine grape tomahawk handles. It keeps it from flaking.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 25, 2016, 04:25:15 pm
(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/20161025_134918_zps9vvep6ti.jpg) (http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/rocketernally/media/20161025_134918_zps9vvep6ti.jpg.html)

One coat tru oil.
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: sleek on October 25, 2016, 04:26:01 pm
(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/20161025_134945_zpsmvjbmpno.jpg) (http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/rocketernally/media/20161025_134945_zpsmvjbmpno.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Birch bark backing
Post by: Marc St Louis on October 25, 2016, 05:27:36 pm
Looks good.

I haven't used Birch bark for several years but when I did harvest some bark I took it from large trees that would do 1 entire limb from handle to tip, I think at least a 12" tree is what you need.  I have cut many Paper Birch trees and I can tell you that they don't all have bark suitable for backings or canoes.  Some trees have thin bark that is brittle and some trees with thick bark that is flexible, the thick bark can be more than 1/8" thick.  The brittle bark you can actually tear fairly easily across the grain but the thick flexible bark refuses to tear even when it's thin, it just stretches.