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Started by: White Crow Sent: 09/02/2001 18:03 5 Replies
Hi there!

This is in all seriousness ... how do you strip bark off wood? Is there a specific technique or tool to use?

They are doing some tree management on the canal near me, so I've found some nice bits. I want to try and make an ornate wand. Have any of you made your own? What did you do?

All ideas gratefully recieved!

Mike

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From: Akasha Sent: 11/02/2001 01:00 1 of 5
i find my parrot is the best thing for stripping bark, with my flatmates rats coming a close second, or you coud use a chisel and sand it after, or if its thin, sand it, starting with a course paper and working down to a fine paper.
be careful with stuff othere people have cut though, if the wood is cut unsymathetically and with no replacement plant or offering made, it might carryu negative energies, just a thought.

From: Alan Sent: 11/02/2001 12:16 2 of 5
Depends what wood it is. Willow and various pine barks except Scots Pine/larch tend to strip off nice and easy whilst the wood is still wet/green. Just a nick near the top and it should strip off no bother. For other woods, (I'm presuming here that your looking for pieces which are already the right thickness you desire), then its often best to dry them out for a long time - DON'T apply heat, let them dry out naturally, that way your less likely to get splits or bends (if you get a bit which bends as it dries, e-mail me direct and I'll tell you how to sort it out). The bark will then come off failry easily. A few years ago I dried a nice piece of Rose Wood out (I was lucky enough to find a really straight piece of just the right thickness) over about 18 months in my shed, then just took off the little protrusions etc and polished it up with its "bark" still on. It looks very rustic and certainly nothing like a shop bought one, but I think its great (Probably just looks like a shiny "stick" to anyone else LOL!). I've always got my eyes open for that perfect piece which would need minimum or no altering. Are you looking for a particular type of wood? I suppose the wood type could be part of the choice - I just used Rose because it was a nice piece, but I suppose Oak would appeal to those with Druidic leanings and so on. If you have any probs finding a nice piece, let me know and I'll see if I can find something myself for you.

From: White Crow Sent: 11/02/2001 16:33 3 of 5
Ooops ...

Well I've done what both of you told me not to ...

I used pre-cut and disgarded wood. As the wood was pre-cut, I just gathered it. As it was the tree was managed, it was cut for the good of the tree, and that way I didnt cause the tree further harm.

I made my wand yesterday. I put the wood in an oven on a low setting for about 1/2 hour and the wood easily peeled off. It did not crack fortunately.

Once cooled, I cut and sanded it to the right shape, then painted it with silver acrylic paint. I painted the top and handle gold, and glued a glass bead to a suitable knot.

On the top I painted the rune for god and the bottom for man. Beneath the glass bead I painted runes for protection, wisdom and knowledge.

All in all I am very pleased with it. It has a nice balance ... I like to twirl my wand like a piss-poor majorette to go into a semi-trance and build up energy!

Thanks for your ideas,

Blessed Be

White Crow

From: Alan Sent: 11/02/2001 18:44 4 of 5
If the wood is already fairly dry you should be OK (the splitting can occur weeks later) - either way, I'm sure it will be all the more potent for you having made it yourself to your own design.

Best wishes.

From: seabhac Sent: 12/02/2001 13:43 5 of 5
be careful with the things you adorn your wand with. If you are using it as a tool to direct energy, the use of acrylic paint may cause too much insulation and prevent the flow of the energy. try to use natural products.
Seabhac