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How to create birchbark or dugout canoes
Contributed by: Kay
  • 1. What is the primary material used for the outer hull of a birchbark canoe?
A) Animal hides
B) Birch bark
C) Cedar planks
D) Canvas
  • 2. What material is traditionally used to sew the birchbark panels together?
A) Cotton thread
B) Spruce root
C) Wire
D) Pine needles
  • 3. What is used to seal the seams of a birchbark canoe to make it waterproof?
A) Mud
B) Pine pitch
C) Rubber sealant
D) Beeswax
  • 4. What wood is commonly used for the ribs and gunwales of a birchbark canoe?
A) Cedar
B) Pine
C) Maple
D) Oak
  • 5. What is the first step in building a dugout canoe?
A) Adding seats
B) Selecting a suitable log
C) Shaping the exterior
D) Carving the interior
  • 6. What tool is traditionally used for hollowing out a dugout canoe?
A) Chisel
B) Axe
C) Saw
D) Adze
  • 7. What is done to a dugout canoe after initial hollowing to refine its shape?
A) Controlled burning
B) Varnishing
C) Sanding
D) Painting
  • 8. Which tree is most commonly used for dugout canoes in the Pacific Northwest?
A) Ponderosa Pine
B) Sitka Spruce
C) Western Red Cedar
D) Douglas Fir
  • 9. What is the purpose of 'soaking' the birch bark before using it?
A) To remove insects
B) To make it pliable
C) To make it waterproof
D) To add color
  • 10. How is the birch bark typically harvested?
A) Burning the bark off
B) Carefully peeling it in the spring
C) Stripping it randomly
D) Cutting down the tree
  • 11. What is the role of the 'gunwales' in a canoe?
A) To decorate the canoe
B) To provide seating
C) To act as a rudder
D) To provide structural support along the top edge
  • 12. What is 'sheathing' in a birchbark canoe?
A) The paddle
B) The layer inside the bark for support.
C) The outer layer of bark
D) The pitch sealant
  • 13. What is the benefit of burning during dugout canoe construction?
A) It weakens the wood for easier removal.
B) It protects the canoe from insects
C) It makes the canoe lighter
D) It hardens the wood
  • 14. How are dugout canoes typically propelled?
A) Oars
B) Motors
C) Sails
D) Paddles
  • 15. What is a 'crooked knife' used for in canoe building?
A) Detailed carving and shaping of wood
B) Cutting birch bark
C) Sewing seams
D) Applying pitch
  • 16. What is the primary function of the 'ribs' in a birchbark canoe?
A) To provide seating
B) To give the bark its shape and strength
C) To decorate the canoe
D) To hold the gunwales
  • 17. Why is cedar preferred for canoe ribs?
A) It is very hard and durable
B) It is resistant to fire
C) It is readily available
D) It is lightweight and flexible
  • 18. What helps keep the bark on a birchbark canoe from cracking?
A) Exposure to sunlight
B) Regular painting
C) Frequent waxing
D) Proper curing and sealant
  • 19. What is an awl used for when making a birchbark canoe?
A) Smoothing surfaces
B) Cutting bark
C) Applying pitch
D) Making holes for sewing
  • 20. What is the role of the keel in canoe construction?
A) Aids in steering
B) Provides stability and strengthens the bottom
C) Holds the seats
D) Acts as a rudder
  • 21. Which of these is NOT a traditional material for birchbark canoe construction?
A) Metal fasteners
B) Birch bark
C) Cedar
D) Spruce root
  • 22. Why are paddles often shaped to be asymmetrical?
A) Easier storage
B) Improved efficiency
C) Reduced weight
D) Better aesthetics
  • 23. What is the purpose of steaming wood in canoe building?
A) To make it more pliable for bending
B) To add color to the wood
C) To waterproof the wood
D) To kill insects in the wood
  • 24. What is 'hogging' in relation to dugout canoes?
A) A method of steering
B) The process of applying pitch
C) A specific type of paddle
D) Warpage or deformation of the hull
  • 25. Which direction should the grain run in birch bark when layering?
A) Parallel to the ribs
B) Perpendicular to the ribs
C) It doesn't matter
D) Diagonally across the ribs
  • 26. Why is the inside of a dugout canoe often charred?
A) To make it lighter
B) To make it stronger
C) To protect it from rot
D) To add color
  • 27. What type of pitch is preferred for sealing birchbark canoes?
A) A blend of pine resin, charcoal, and fat
B) Asphalt-based pitch
C) Petroleum-based pitch
D) Coal tar pitch
  • 28. What is the primary advantage of a birchbark canoe?
A) Light weight
B) Capacity
C) Speed
D) Durability
  • 29. What is the main disadvantage of a dugout canoe?
A) Easily damaged
B) Expensive to build
C) Prone to leaks
D) Heavy and difficult to transport
  • 30. What should be done with a dugout canoe during storage to prevent cracking?
A) Store it in direct sunlight
B) Keep it partially filled with water.
C) Wrap it tightly in plastic
D) Coat it with oil
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