08-20-2009, 09:32 AM
No drawknife needed. Cut two 1 1/2"dia. x 2' long sticks per person.
Lay the freshly cut pole on the ground or sawhorses and walk along pounding it like a drum all over with these sticks. Pound hard. The bark will peel like a banana. This also leaves a smooth cambrium layer exposed. Some turn out stringy. not sure why.
Place the skinned poles on "stickers" to keep them out of the dirt. Stack logs so air can freely circulate and cover from the sun. They will keep like this for several years, but will start to darken.
Borate should work well as a preservative. If you are going to apply a surface finish, I would let air dry a year.
Dan
Lay the freshly cut pole on the ground or sawhorses and walk along pounding it like a drum all over with these sticks. Pound hard. The bark will peel like a banana. This also leaves a smooth cambrium layer exposed. Some turn out stringy. not sure why.
Place the skinned poles on "stickers" to keep them out of the dirt. Stack logs so air can freely circulate and cover from the sun. They will keep like this for several years, but will start to darken.
Borate should work well as a preservative. If you are going to apply a surface finish, I would let air dry a year.
Dan