Harvesting Hickory Bark by Hand: A Grueling Craft I’ll Never Forget

The last time I harvested hickory bark was in 2011—and I’m at peace with that chapter being behind me. ⁠ This was some of the most physically intense work I’ve ever done. In my 20s and 30s, I could strip enough bark for 20 seats in a single day—all by hand, all ready to weave. Very few people harvested bark this way. Of the two others I knew who did, one died in a logging accident and the other was fatally injured in a wild boar attack during a harvest. ⁠ Their stories—and the risks—stay with me. So does the love I had for the work. It was hard, beautiful, and raw. ⁠ This video offers a glimpse into that world, and the legacy woven into every seat that came from it. ⁠Join this channel to get access to more videos / @boggsbench Sign up for our free newsletter to be notified of a new video or other cool stuff happening at Boggs Bench! https://www.lessons.boggsbench.com/ For more information, plans, and more: https://boggsbench.com See our furniture: https://brianboggschairmakers.com/ Click here to order one of our Bandsaw Love t-shirts https://boggsbench.com/product/bandsaw-love-t-shirts-blue/ Click here to order one of our Deep in the Woods t-shirts https://boggsbench.com/product/deep-in-the-woods-t-shirts-grey/