Bark on self bow

[Pine]

I have a Bitter nut Hickory stave that I cut last winter to make a self bow . The bark is still on it and I have roughed it out . Found on line that the bark will separate when you flex the wood but I am within a half inch now and I can hardly bend it . Does anybody on here have a trick to get it off or do I just have to carve it away trying not to violate a growth ring ?

[twitchstick]

You should be able steam it off in a shower. You might want to post this question on the Bowyer Bench on here. There are a bunch of good bowyers on there.

[Sharpend60]

Use a sharp scraper, ie a dull pocket knife. My most hated part of bow building.