bamboo self bow build

[superdav95]

  I played around with bamboo bows just a bit now and then. Like you, I did the 5 pc with Syhas. I had often wondered whether pressure cooking might make them more bendable, but a large high-pressure cooker isn't really a practical solution. Harvesting and bending when green is a practical solution.

Yes I wonder.  If only I had access to unlimited green bamboo.  We will be heading to Panama next month too bad I can’t bring some home with me.  They have it everywhere down there.  They also have Osage!  I’ve got a buddy who lives and works down there that has a pile of it down and waiting for me when I go down next.    I posted a video a while back on how I did the recurves using very dry seasoned bamboo.  No secrets here.  I used Saran Wrap as I boiled them after soaking them tip down for 3 days.  I used a home made veritas type metal band  attachment to a handle of wood as I placed the boiled slats in for bending.  Seemed to work.  I kept the Saran Wrap on till it cooled and then removed it to breath.  Left on for a bit till dry.  I have two identical jigs to get both limbs done.  The Saran Wrap is the secret to get them to hold the moisture while bending.  Otherwise it drys out too quickly and cracks almost instantly.  Anyway I’m sure the video does a better job explaining it.  It would be a year or two ago that I posted it for those interested. 

[superdav95]

Congrats Dave!     It will be too cool to see how this bow does at the Flats.   

Thanks Bob.  Ya me too

[Robert Pougnier]

Hey Dave,

I could not find the video for the bamboo recurve bending using saran wrap. However, I found the folding takedown video. I really like that it seems super smooth. what kind of hinge and locking mechanism did you use?

Anyways, great stuff. Thanks for sharing!

Robert

[superdav95]

Hey Dave,

I could not find the video for the bamboo recurve bending using saran wrap. However, I found the folding takedown video. I really like that it seems super smooth. what kind of hinge and locking mechanism did you use?

Anyways, great stuff. Thanks for sharing!

Robert

Thanks Robert.  Ya I couldn’t find it either using the search feature.  I’ll dig it up and post a link here.  The hinge part for the folder bow is rawhide that I processed a few years ago.  It’s was a thick section around the d the neck that was little thicker so was good for this purpose.