Birch bark Coverings?
I've seen pics and some posts mentioning using birchbark as coveriings on horn bows. Is this used instead of thin leather or under it?
I assume it would be lighter than leather for sure. Is it used on the belly as well? I ask cuz in Adam's book, he talks about covering the entire bow except siyahs with thin leather covering. Is bark used the same way?
Here we have lots of white birch or paper birch some call it. which part of the bark is used? the white outter bark or the thin papery yellow-orange stuff underneath that.
Thanks for the help guys..
Archer
I assume it would be lighter than leather for sure. Is it used on the belly as well? I ask cuz in Adam's book, he talks about covering the entire bow except siyahs with thin leather covering. Is bark used the same way?
Here we have lots of white birch or paper birch some call it. which part of the bark is used? the white outter bark or the thin papery yellow-orange stuff underneath that.
Thanks for the help guys..
Archer
Some bows were completely covered, others just the back.
Leather (with a thin lacquer coating) was a West and South Asian solution to waterproofing bows. Birch bark was an East Asian solution.
Birch bark and leather were not used together. You could either glue birch bark over the sinew alone, leaving the horn side uncovered; or you could cover the whole bow with bark. The latter method was used in Saka, Xiongnu and Imperial Mongol bows. Birch bark on one side is most common for Manchu, Korean and Central Asian bows. Snake skin seems to have been used on some Chinese bows used in circus performances; but not elsewhere.
Birch bark and leather were not used together. You could either glue birch bark over the sinew alone, leaving the horn side uncovered; or you could cover the whole bow with bark. The latter method was used in Saka, Xiongnu and Imperial Mongol bows. Birch bark on one side is most common for Manchu, Korean and Central Asian bows. Snake skin seems to have been used on some Chinese bows used in circus performances; but not elsewhere.
That's very useful information Mr. Selby. Thank You...Stephen Selby wrote:
Leather (with a thin lacquer coating) was a West and South Asian solution to waterproofing bows. Birch bark was an East Asian solution.
Birch bark and leather were not used together. You could either glue birch bark over the sinew alone, leaving the horn side uncovered; or you could cover the whole bow with bark. The latter method was used in Saka, Xiongnu and Imperial Mongol bows. Birch bark on one side is most common for Manchu, Korean and Central Asian bows. Snake skin seems to have been used on some Chinese bows used in circus performances; but not elsewhere.
Right now I plan on two Turkish bows as per Adam's book, and there he speaks of leather covering the whole bow. I assume this was the practice in this style of bow?
At some point, I would like to make a Mongolian style bow, or perhaps a Korean bow, so this info is very welcome.... and again I assume the bark used was the thinner inner bark from thwe birch, correct?
Thanks again.
Archer