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Tonkin River Reed vs. River Cane.

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Todd Mathis:
The bamboo I have always dealt with is from china, and it is from the Tonkin River Valley, and as you can see, it is quite different from the river cane photo that DC posted.  (thanks DC)  I am a professional arrow maker and all I do is Bamboo.  Apparently, what I have been using is a different thing entirely.  Happy to answer any questions about bamboo, but I can't speak to river cane.  Best to all, and I'm looking forward to some great discussions.  If you want to see what the Tonkin River Bamboo (some call it the Tonkin River Reed) here is a photo.  You can see why I was surprised by the look of river cane such as DC uses.  Best to all, and just so you know...I'm new to this.

Todd Mathis:
Just so you know, there is JUNK bamboo and good stuff.  But the nodes tend to be small and grow inward.  Much respect to folks who can deal with those prominent nodes on the river cane!!!  I'm too lazy I suppose....

sleek:
So, I'm a bamboo fan, love it! My question for you is how closely do you match the spine of the arrows in a batch of 12?

Pat B:
Todd, ironically, the genus of the 3 native canes in the US is Arundinaria, A. gigantia(river cane), A. tecta(switch cane) and A. appalachiana(hill cane). Unfortunately almost everyone uses "river cane" as a generic term for most cane used for arrows and river cane is the least appropriate native cane for arrows. River cane grows to 15' tall and about 3/4" in diameter so only the top portion of the culm is used for arrows. It has thin walls with a large center hole and very pronounced nodes and sulcus. It will make an arrow but it is my least favorite of the 3 natives canes.
I make my cane arrows from hill cane. It grows along the creek that runs through our property. As far as I'm concerned hill cane is the best native cane for arrows and is what the Native Americans here in the Southern Appalachian Mountains used for their arrows. They used river cane also but mostly for their double woven baskets, blow guns and construction. 

Todd Mathis:

--- Quote from: Pat B on October 18, 2019, 12:35:52 pm ---Todd, ironically, the genus of the 3 native canes in the US is Arundinaria, A. gigantia(river cane), A. tecta(switch cane) and A. appalachiana(hill cane). Unfortunately almost everyone uses "river cane" as a generic term for most cane used for arrows and river cane is the least appropriate native cane for arrows. River cane grows to 15' tall and about 3/4" in diameter so only the top portion of the culm is used for arrows. It has thin walls with a large center hole and very pronounced nodes and sulcus. It will make an arrow but it is my least favorite of the 3 natives canes.
I make my cane arrows from hill cane. It grows along the creek that runs through our property. As far as I'm concerned hill cane is the best native cane for arrows and is what the Native Americans here in the Southern Appalachian Mountains used for their arrows. They used river cane also but mostly for their double woven baskets, blow guns and construction.

--- End quote ---
Thanks!  I would dearly love to find a photo of each stalk.  Be a great addition to Bamboo arrow university. 

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