Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Primitive Skills => Topic started by: JacksonCash on April 27, 2016, 01:10:45 pm

Title: Question for basket makers
Post by: JacksonCash on April 27, 2016, 01:10:45 pm

I live in central/eastern Michigan, anyone know some good basket making materials in the area? I was cleaning up some hydrandeas in the front yard and got thinking they might work, but I was having trouble getting them to split straight.

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: Zuma on April 27, 2016, 08:50:02 pm

Have you considered Hemlock bark baskets?
It's the right time of the year. How about honeysuckle?
White oak less than 8 inch diameter?
Zuma

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: chamookman on April 28, 2016, 03:22:02 am

I'm wondering about Phragmites - no shortage of that here in Michigan. Bob

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: JacksonCash on April 28, 2016, 08:38:02 am

Yeah, All the phragmities I can find is way too thin walled for arrows, so maybe baskets. Thanks for the suggestions Zuma, I'm heading up north in a week or so and I'll be one some land I can harvest stuff at, so I'm excited for that.

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: Zuma on April 28, 2016, 12:36:05 pm

Hoping Jeb will chime in. I think he is right in your neighborhood.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Zuma

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: bjrogg on April 29, 2016, 05:23:19 pm

I'm not a basket maker but don't they use split ash strips? Probably a fare amount of work involved. Sure lots of it free for the taking around here.

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: Olanigw (Pekane) on May 05, 2016, 08:39:40 am

Brown ash, but it's a lot of work to get.
White ash can work, but it's a lot more work to process.
Willow, split oak, cattails.

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: JacksonCash on May 05, 2016, 08:51:12 am

Cattails I can get- been wanting to try some of the edibles from them anyway.

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: stickbender on May 06, 2016, 04:17:05 am

     I watched a film a long time ago, and the guy was making a white oak back pack basket.  He would take a small white oak billet, and smack it with another one, and then peel off strips.  He made a really neat back pack.
 
                                    Wayne

Title: Re: Question for basket makers
Post by: freke on May 10, 2016, 09:49:34 am

Betula pubescens or similar