brich bark backing

[aklongbow]

I am out at my cabin enjoying four days of remote winter camping here in Alaska surrounded by birch, 32 degrees and snowing.  

This is truly Gods country!

I have been working on finishing two hickory bows and started thinking.  Can you back bows with birch bark?  Could anyone point me to old threads or websites?  

Ok then my next question can you make birch selfbows?

[Pat B]

Yes and yes!   I have added birch bark over sinew as a moisture proofing and it worked well. Looks cool too. I believe I peeled off a paper thin layer for the backing and glued it down with TBIII. Sorry, no pics. That might be the mulberry bow I sent to Dakotan a few years ago.
   Birch will make a self bow. Make it long and wide.

[aklongbow]

Pat B. thanks since the bark grows circular do you just peel it off and match the best you can?  I can peel bark all day long right know it is paper thin.  You got to love technology I am sitting under candle light no power and still have internet.

[Pat B]

It doesn't grow here. Someone sent me some. I got pretty good strips but they will all have holes in them. You just deal with that.

[Roy Steele]

I've did two hickory bows.PAT is right they look great.I sanded bow and the bark and used white wood glue. Mine were well seasoned.As far as I know there still on.
  Winter is the time to to get it.

[aklongbow]

Are you taking short strips and glueing on the bow?  or were you able to find long strips that covered the limbs?

[Pat B]

It will work either way but of course longer strips would be better. You could probably find a large diameter tree and just peel a few thin strips off and not harm the tree.