A LIVING HISTORY BLOG.

18TH CENTURY LIVING HISTORY IN AUSTRALIA.

Thursday 20 September 2012

Reshaped Knife & Its Bark Sheath.

I have been wanting to make a bark sheath for a long time now, and I finally got round to making one. This one is made out of Australian Stringybark.
 The outer fibres of the bark have been removed, and I soaked the bark in water for 24 hours or until the bark sinks to the bottom.
 The bark is shaped and I have made a leather welt (above and below).

 Here I have stitched the bark sheath edges with linen thread. The holes are made with an awl wide apart so as not to split the bark.
 Covered with leather (above and below.

The finished product with the knife it was made for. Beading is #7 French white glass beads.
 This is the knife reshaped (above and below).
I did also experiment making a bark sheath from green bark of the Stringybark, but after it dried it curled and distorted. I found the best way is to use dried bark, soak it in water for roughly 24 hours or until it sinks, heat it over a hot fire, bend it and add weights. Then whilst it is still damp, cut it to shape with a tomahawk and knife. Before adding the outer leather sheath I also thinned the bark with my jack knife to reduce bulk and weight.
I have made a video, and will post it later.

10 comments:

Blackthorn said...

Nice very nice.

Keith said...

Thank you Blackthorn, though I wish I could have done some neater stitching at the bottom of the sheath. Still, it works.
Keith.

Gorges Smythe said...

Good shape on the blade!

docfire said...

If you ever want some birchbark, (and its allowed), let me know Keith.

Keith said...

Thank you Gorges, yes I am happy with it.
Keith.

Keith said...

Thanks for the offer docfire, but I think it would have to go through a lot of treatment before custome would allow it in.
Regards, Keith.

Jenny said...

Hunh - I'd not heard of that. Cool!
When/where were these used? I take it birch was used in New England?

Keith said...

Jenny,good to hear from you again.
I read about these a long time ago. I wanted to get some more info for you but my internet time has run out & I can't access some sites.
Keith.

Ranger6409 said...

Awesome Work as Always Keith!!! Looking forward to part two of the video also! Best Always, TJ

Keith said...

Thanks T.J. I was originally not going to publish part 2 & 3, because I am putting these on DVD. But I am not selling many DVDs anyway, not enough to pay the rates!!! So I might just as well make them public.
Regards, Keith.