Bark scrapers
Bark scrapers
PEELING IRON EXPERTISE
What is the peeling iron used for?
Peeling irons are used to manually remove the bark from freshly felled trees. In modern forestry, trunks are debarked directly by large harvesters, which is why peeling irons are almost only used in small operations, for log house construction and for traditional practices (maypole). The peeling iron is also known as a scraper or scooping iron. It usually has a straight blade (universal iron) or a slightly concave blade, which is attached to a length of wooden handle.
Why are tree trunks debarked?
The outer layers of a tree serve to transport nutrients and promote growth. The bark and cambium are softer than the sapwood and heartwood and are therefore ideal breeding grounds for pests, especially bark beetles. Coniferous wood (spruce, fir) in particular is infested. The beetle infestation and the larvae's feeding galleries cause the wood to lose considerable value. When debarked, the trunk dries faster, beetle larvae are removed or inhibited in their development and die. Debarked logs are also easier to score and finish for any timber joints in log house construction.
Tips for debarking
After felling, you should first limb the trunk flush with the surface. The peeling tool works in a similar way to a Planes. When peeling, the cutting edge is pushed along the direction of growth of the tree so that the bark falls off in long strips. To be able to do this effectively and safely, the handle or wooden grip should have a length of approx. 1.20 to 1.30 metres. Turn or rotate the peeling tool to adjust the cutting angle to your position. You have the best power transmission in the direction of impact directly on the trunk. The blade should not be too sharp so that it does not cut into the wood.
Differences between draw knives and paring irons?
Traditionally, the tool is pushed to peel the bark. Alternatively, Drawknives, bow scrapers and drawing irons are also used as bark peelers. Drawknives are pulled towards the body with both hands and have two handles (like a Spokeshave). They were originally used to work on curved furniture parts (carpenters/joiners) or beams (carpenters). The wood is usually clamped in a Planes or Shaving horses when working with the knife.
