How to make an oak bath broom?

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Do you love steaming in a banya at your dacha? We'll tell you how to make a bath whisk from oak! A childhood memory echoes with the chant: "Brooms, brooms... Water in the washstand..." Since ancient times, both washstands and goliks—as bundles of branches were called in the old days—were the most active attributes of bathing in a banya. But washstands are a thing of the past, replaced by modern plumbing. And the whisks and goliks—the song of a steamed soul—cannot be replaced by anything other than real branches of a young tree. We choose oak.

DIY oak bath broom

A bundle of oak branches brings a person the strength that nature has bestowed upon mighty and powerful trees, growing through generations, hiding the secrets of centuries in their rings. It will bring pleasure from the sauna; a master knows how to make an oak bath whisk, the right time to cut the branches, and how to protect the tree so that strong young shoots continue to grow, from which the master will knit another gift for steam bath lovers.

Excellent oak bundles are made from the branches of old trees, hardened by wind and frost. Bundlers preserve young trees, less than five years old. Branches are taken at two times: when the meadow grasses are in full bloom, and at the first frosts of winter, when the oaks have not yet lost their leaves. The winter oak is considered the most beneficial to humans, as it gains strength and resilience in the steam room.

Interesting! High-quality brooms are made from different types of oak: winter oak, pedunculate oak, and mountain oak. These are the main oak species found in Russia. Dense forests are home to three-hundred-year-old trees, and the branches of these oaks will bring the greatest strength and health.

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Types of tying brooms

Fans of fresh oak steam usually prepare their own bundles. They know that there are two types of brooms: round and flat, fan-shaped. This also determines the method of tying them—in a circle or with a twist, called a "shovel" tying.

The branches are arranged in a circle, like a bouquet. The strongest branch is placed in the center, and branches with wide leaves are placed around it, branch after branch, tightly stem to stem. Care must be taken to ensure that the leaves face outward from the "bouquet" being folded, and the back of the leaf faces the center of the bundle. The handle thickness is determined by a comfortable palm grip, or, on average, no more than 5 cm in diameter. This handle thickness ensures proper drying of all the branches tied together.

Any materials can be used for the sling, depending on the knitter's preference—wire, plastic-wrapped cable, or hemp cord. There's a secret here, too: after the branches have completely dried, tighten the sling slightly, as the twigs shrink and the handle of the bundle becomes somewhat thinner.

Each craftsman can choose how to make an oak bathhouse whisk according to their taste and abilities. The "shovel" method is a special technique for making the whisk flat and easy to use. The craftsman first assembles one side of the bundle, then turns the piece over and completes the other side.

The same principles apply:

branches should be free of knots and thorns, flexible and juicy;
the leaves must be very large, which can only be found deep in the forest, or high in the mountains;
a thicker branch is placed in the depths, and thinner branches are tied to the edges;
the leaves should be facing outwards from the broom;
The binding is tight enough for the broom to hold its shape, and loose enough for air to penetrate to each branch and each leaf as it dries.

Finished products are dried the old-fashioned way: tied in pairs, making them easier to hang on a line. The pairs are hung loosely to allow maximum airflow. Drying under a double roof, like the attics of old village houses, is desirable. Today, similar roofs are making a comeback in wooden housing construction.

Some knitters immediately press their round-knitted items to flatten them. However, experienced knitters press only well-dried brooms. They check the degree of dryness by their sense of touch. To do this, touch the center with your hand, gently pushing the branches apart. The partially dried leaves and stems exude a refreshing coolness.