5 piece folding bamboo bows

[superdav95]

Here’s a few pics of the steamed revived limbs.   They are heat treated now will be set up like my other deflex out the handle style with gentle reflex mid limb but now incorporating the recurves. 

I estimate these limbs will make about 40-45lbs bow. 

[mmattockx]

there were some test results published a few years back that indicated with certian species of Banboo, the core materiel (belly side) had compression qualities that overpowered the outside (back side) in bend tests.

I don't suppose you recall where to find these test results? That would be interesting reading for those of us looking for good belly wood to use in lam bows.


Mark

[willie]

Hi Mark,
As I recall, the tests were published by a bamboo trade group and discussed breifly on paleoplanet about ten years ago.

While searching paleoplanet just now, I came across this interesting comment attributed to Tim Baker.  re:outer surface as belly

Takes more set per mass than any hardwood. It can be tempered with heat and gain in compression strength and elasticity. Fly rod makers do this, and bowmakers in the past also. Howard Hill for one. Untempered bamboo works well as belly wood if Perry reflexed. If making a bamboo selfbow its helpful to let the outer surface serve as belly, to prevent extreme set. The back is then composed of weaker inner fibers, but is more than strong enough. Yes, tiller on the back..

[willie]

here is some test data from the organization that most likely published the study I remembered
an example for one species......

This intensive investigation, although confined to a new world bamboo species viz :
Guadua angustifolia from Costa Rica in respect to just one important property, i.e., bending
strength
https://www.inbar.int/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1489473435.pdf

6469 other resources are available for download at https://www.inbar.int/resources/search/?resource-type=all&keyword=