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Heat treating bamboo backing strips?

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superdav95:
Yes I think there is a benefit to less nodes.  The reason for this is that it’s a strong point on the back that can cause a flat on the belly.  This could lead to a hinge if not careful.  If done builds with both only one node on bending sections and others with 2-3 nodes just fine too.  Just something to be aware of though is that the concentrated strong point at the node on the back.  Also watch for the quality of the boo strips to get the least amount of ramping at the nodes and the flattest you can get if sorting through them.   I make my own slats from large moso poles for this very reason.  To ensure I get what I want in my boo strip.  To go to all the trouble of building a boo backed bow justifies the extra work imo. 

Eric Krewson:
Early on I used any bamboo I could find; some slats had a lot of nodes. I didn't have a problem tillering a bow with more nodes but I did have a few backing failures at the nodes, probably because I used to sand down the nodes too far. I prefer the looks of a bamboo backing with fewer nodes.

I found a patch of Mandrake across town where I could buy whole culms for $15 each and never ordered bamboo ever again.

This stuff has widely spaced nodes and is very strong, unfortunately the land sold and the new owner bulldozed the patch.  I don't make many bows now but I have a lifetime of slats put back if I decide to make a bow.

superdav95:
Ya that looks like good stuff there.  I’m assuming the green Color was when you first got it harvested?  Must be different color now I imagine.  Did much of it crack on you?

Eric Krewson:
Yep, just cut, it turns tan with a hint of green when it dries, it is tan under the rind. I knock out the inner nodes with a hoe handle and let it dry intact before I cut the slats, I don't get any cracking that way. I get too much cupping if I try to dry it in slats.

superdav95:

--- Quote from: Eric Krewson on August 10, 2024, 09:55:30 pm ---Yep, just cut, it turns tan with a hint of green when it dries, it is tan under the rind. I knock out the inner nodes with a hoe handle and let it dry intact before I cut the slats, I don't get any cracking that way. I get too much cupping if I try to dry it in slats.

--- End quote ---

Yup exactly what I do.  Sometimes I need to really pic through my poles as they have been mostly dry already from my supplier which can be a good or bad thing.  He punches out the holes in middle to avoid cracking but still happens.  Over the winter months I’ll go out to my shop and hear cracking from my bamboo due to drop in relative humidity.  I can usually work around the linear cracks to get usable slats and section for bows regardless. 

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