Have some time to do a few handles. Went to the backyard shed and found my stash of Birchbark had curled up pretty badly. Have any of you got some quick, slick method for straightening the bark in a fairly short period of time? Should have stored it on a flat surface with some significant weight on it. Live and learn. Thanks

You could try a steam iron on a piece & see how that worked out. I think it might since heat/steam will straighten out bamboo & wood

Steve,

You might try spraying a solution of ammonia and water, say 25% ammonia & 75% water, on the bark before steaming it. I am not a chemist, (barely passed the subject), but I know it will make wood more pliable.

Don Campbell
don@sensorfishingrods.com

I will give it try. Thanks guys

I've got the same problem.
I was going to take some to work and toss it in a big pot and boil it until it was soft and then flatten it and weigh it down until it's dry.

I had some rings that were curled. Don't soak them in water and bolt them under pressure between fender washers on a piece of all thread. You'd think I used Rod Bond!

_________________________________________
"Angling is extremely time consuming.
That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane

What I do is soak the bark in hot water for at least 1/2 hour (keep the water hot) then put between to pieces of ply wood and park the car on top of the wood over-night or longer. Works for me..........LOL

I have stored sheets between boards and just clamped them together with bolts. I also prepped some pieces and keep them on allthread rod clamped with fender washers. This allows me to use a measurable amount when designing handles. I like Phil's method if you don't have to go anywhere

I have used allthread, and clamped betweed boards as stacked between boards and parked the 4wheeler on top. Sometimes it seems as though the bark takes on a darker hue after its been soaked. If thats the case you can lighten up the color with some bleach.