Birch bark ???

[DanaM]

Anyone know how to seperate birch bark into thinner layers? I cut some this summer and dried it flat,
the layers don't want to seperate. Also how thin does it need to be for bow backing?

[Marc St Louis]

Just peel the layers apart. The bark I backed some bows with was less 1/16" thick, this was just a decorative backing.

[adb]

Hi,
Birchbark makes excellent backing! Lots where I live. It's better if you seperate it right away, rather than letting it dry first. It seems easier to seperate the layers when it's still a bit "green." I've used it both thick and thin, glued on with TB2 or TB3. I think a thick enough layer would resist a splinter lifting on the back. The trick for me is getting pieces long enough and of good enough quality to back a limb.

[DanaM]

I may have messed up by not doing it while still green, now tha it is dry it don't want to separate
guess I could try soaking it some.

[Marc St Louis]

I've seen the bark on dead trees bond together like that. You may have to soak the bark for a long time before it separates, it's waterproof

[DanaM]

Oh well live and learn eh.

[Brokestick]

I have to agree with Marc.  I've seen dry birch bark resist soaking for a long time.  That's why it's one of the best tinders to keep on hand

[Hartung]

Diana, I’m working with birch bark from time to time and am right now on a project involving birch bark. Birch bark can be quite tricky. To my experience you would need very thin bark right from the start from young trees. Remove the bark by cutting it in spirals around the tree if you know what I mean. Separating the bark into layers (without tearing the different layers apart) is not easy and is best achieved when the bark is very dry. But then you have to be careful not to break it. Soaking the bark will not help I guess. Soaking the bark for a long time is useful if one wants to make it pliable again but won’t help you to separate the different layers.

[DanaM]

Thanks guys.