Bark Removal Methods

[rossinvrland]

Hi all,
First off, I am proud to be part of a forum where positive comments and the sharing of information and knowledge is in every post. To that end, I have some information that I'd like to share. But I would first like to get other's opinions/know-how on it... how do you remove bark from a log? I've seen LOTS of references to the steps to take to build a self bow that remark: "remove the bark carefully". But I have not seen people talk about HOW they remove the bark.
I understand that the wood species will determine different methods to remove bark. So, to start things off, how would you remove bark from a maple log?
I made a little video showing what I recently discovered. Can an administrator or moderator please tell me the best way to post this for others to see?
Cheers,
Ross

[ChristopherO]

I use a drawknife and scraper.  If the wood is wet it isn't so bad but if dry a lot of elbow grease is involved.

[Pat B]

For whitewood like maple, if you wait until the growing season you can peel the bark off easily and the wood under it is your bow's back. Just slice it lengthwise with a sharp blade taking care not to go into the wood below. Take a large screw driver and pry it up and peel it off.
   With wood like osage, mulberry and locust, use a drawknife and hog the bark off. If the sapwood is thick hog most of it too bet go slow near the ring you want for your bow's back. You can do this any time of the year but winter is best because you don't sweat as much then.

[rossinvrland]

I'm still hoping that an administrator will see my request for info on posting a video clip. If I don't see anything by later today, I'll get it onto another public site and post a link to it here.
I promise that you'll be amazed!!!

[Pat B]

Ross, PM one of the Admins or Mods and ask them personally. You will get a quicker reply than waiting for an answer here. I'm sure you will get all the help you need.

[rossinvrland]

Thanks Pat. I have sent a request off to the webmaster. I hope that I can get this little flick posted soon. Thanks for hanging in there.

[scrub-buster]

I just found a new method for bark removal on osage.  A machete.  I stand the stave up outside and hack if off.  There was plenty of sapwood so I didn't worry about going to deep.  I liked this method better than the drawknife.