Great tutorial. Thanks.

Having had the pleasure to be at Noelanders and see Bjorn I knew that it would be good. It was, I wet raffia when I use it, I think it makes it more supple and helps to adhere to the bark. As for burning the dead wood, when I do it it is to remove the little bits that are left from carving. I did not whilst I was watching see all the branches that were going to be removed but I got a few. Then when I watched the next time, it became much clearer what needed to be done. I did get the front right first time. Great video and I will share it with our members who will find it very useful,
Geoff.

this might be helpful for some inregards to rafia. it was for me at least.

one thing i wonder about rafia is with wire i understand can dig into branches when growing causing scares. does rafia affect the branch from growing (girth) in anyway. does it reduce the grow rate? does it scare? or is it bad for the tree in anyway?

No it does not effect the tree or branch, it protects the bark from damage but also if it is a severe bend protects from cracking

m5eaygeoff wrote: Having had the pleasure to be at Noelanders and see Bjorn I knew that it would be good. It was

This year I also paid a visit to the Noelanders Trophy and I must agree... Seeing Bjorn live, together with other demonstrators (i.e. Kunio Kobayashi) was great.

Oh... And Geoff... Had I known you were going to attend that would have been probably a nice opportunity to meet. Next time maybe

Alain