Mechanical properties of paper mulberry bast fiber handsheets were investigated to study the characteristics of bast fiber in terms of being suitable for modern paper making process. Tensile, tear and burst strength of handsheets made from bast fiber of paper mulberry were better than those of NBKP handsheets. Smoothness of bast fiber was higher but stiffness was lower than NBKP. Sizing performance of bast fiber were worse. 3D image analysis showed that handsheets of bast fiber had inferior formation and more pores comparing to NBKP.