This is the common birch polypore, fomitopsis betulina, also known as birch bracket or razor strop.
For a bushcrafter, it is a treasure trove. Not only useful, as the latter term suggests, a valuable asset, if you want to strop your razor or knife, it is of high medicinal value. Rich with polysaccharides, Betulin acid, triterpenes and potassium, it is reputed to be anti-inflammatory, immunestimulant, beneficial for the cardiovadcular system, reputed to be anticarcinogenous. It is also antiseptic and antiviral. You can use it for wound treatment if you cut plaster strips from it. It can also be used to transport a spark and as a fire starter.
And, as it turns out, if you cut a suitable piece from it, as a great leather substitute. Cut off the brown skin and the pores. Your material to start with should be quite thick, about 3-5 mm. Gently whack it with a clean and relatively smooth stick or your knife handle, then work it with your hands, gently stretching it.
This is how it looks after the process.
You can then use it to make small pouches and knife sheaths with it. Apologies for the lousy stitching, it was getting dark and I am abit clumsy, as you guys know ;-). I used some strong sewing twine, but you could also use bramble or nettle cordage in a pinch. I put a wooden model of the Mora inside and let it dry around the model to get it to the desired shape.
