Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 09:09:22 -0800
From: Robert Spano <rspano@ibm.net>
To: baidarka@lists.intelenet.net
Subject: Re: baidarka Baidarka Rib Question: What kind of sapling should I use?
ethan-
if the pith diameter is small compared to the wood diameter of the
sapling i'd give it a try. skip snaith suggested that i try orange tree
branches for ribs, which seemed like a good idea. maple should work. try
taking a spring sapling about 1/2" in dia and bending it into
approximatly the shape of the rib. if it breaks don't use it. the bark
of the spring growth should come off easier than the winter bark. willow
bark peels off very easily but occasionally you need to scrape some off
anyway. i like to use a scraper made of a piece of tapered oak with a
curve a little larger than the diameter of the rib cut into it.
for splitting ash try a froe. but the people who make baskets may have a
better idea.
good luck
robert