Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: shackleton on April 05, 2018, 03:40:43 pm

Title: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: shackleton on April 05, 2018, 03:40:43 pm

 Another handle wrap question.Another option which there is little info on is bark as a handle wrap.If I go this route it would be cherry bark.How do I go about doing this?Those who have done it could you post picks.
Thanks,
Scott

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: Pat B on April 05, 2018, 04:02:13 pm

Scott, there are only a few cherry barks that will work, choke cherry being one. You could lather the handle area with glue(TB will work), wrap a strip of bark around and secure until the glue dries. You could also use contact cement.

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: shackleton on April 05, 2018, 04:11:50 pm

Thanks..I have extra wood to experiment on.
Scott

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: Springbuck on April 05, 2018, 04:15:47 pm

Pat, does chokecherry still need to be cut in strips circumferentially?  Chokecherry in my area rarely exceeds 4" diameter.

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: Pat B on April 05, 2018, 10:58:43 pm

Yes. That is where it's strength is. You might be able to cut the bark from a tree a similar diameter as the handle. Cut a 4" longitudinal piece, remove it from the tree and wrap it around the handle. For a handle, strength isn't necessarily your main concern like it would be for a backing.

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: Mark Russell on April 06, 2018, 08:17:03 am

I'd like to see a picture of that - even if it's just a practice piece.  We've go choke cherry growing all over up here.  I'm just now working on my first ever bow from a stave (from my property to boot).  It would be kind of neat to to have all the materials come from my property - if I make it that far (I'm just now to the floor tillering stage).

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: DC on April 06, 2018, 10:04:11 am

I used Bitter Cherry cut in strips about 1/2" wide and applied like planks on a boat. Labor intensive but I thought it turned out OK.

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: Mark Russell on April 06, 2018, 05:35:17 pm

That’s pretty slick. Is that the full thickness of the bark? Or was the “inside” of the bark shaved to make it thinner?

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: DC on April 06, 2018, 07:06:03 pm

Cherry bark has the thin outer layer and then the thick corky stuff underneath. This is just the thin outer layer. It's 1/32" or less but it's not in papery layers like birch. I cut the "planks" so to avoid the cracks, pores and woodpecker holes. After it was all glued I scraped it lightly to bring up the purple.

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: PatM on April 06, 2018, 07:13:17 pm

Elm inner bark makes an excellent wrap. It's very leathery when dampened.  Bushboy has posted a few bows with an Elm bark wrap.

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: TacticalFate on April 06, 2018, 08:26:33 pm

Here's one of mine with a chokecherry handle wrap. Usually have to scrape it down somewhat to get it flexible enough to wrap around the handle. Soaking it helps too.
(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1469862_747587225256171_530502103_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=84d789317fdd3b32a3b5d3643ae2930d&oe=5B313A2E)

Title: Re: Bark as a primitive handle wrap
Post by: shackleton on April 07, 2018, 02:58:31 am

Thanks alot for showing your work.Very nice.Helps with ideas.
Scott