Main Discussion Area > Arrows

Drying Cane Question

(1/2) > >>

GregB:
Hi yall,

I cut a good bunch of cane a couple weeks ago, and I've had it bundled straight and placed in the cab of my old truck with the windows up. It has really dried quick, and most of it has turned tan color. I'm guessing it is probably dry enough, but I don't know for sure. I haven't cut any of it to length yet for arrows.

I'm new to making cane arrows, so any help or suggestions on drying or any other aspect of making cane arrows would be appreciated! Not sure how I should seal them either...

Thanks!
Greg

Hillbilly:
It's probably getting about right. Heat-straighten a couple of them. Then see if you can bend it back crooked without heat-if you can bend it by hand and it stays bent, it's not dry enough yet. If you don't scrape into the rind, you don't really need much of a sealer on cane, because that shiny rind is water-resisitant. I usually sand mine down a bit to rough the surface up for dying and fletching, though, so I  slap a couple-three coats of Tru-oil on them.

GregB:
Thanks Hillbilly, I'll give that a try. I guess I should take them out of the cab before long...might get them too dry? Would it be okay to store them in my basement...a little damp down there?

What do you use to heat the cane, the candles are blackening them. Don't really mind, pretty good camo. :)

Otoe Bow:
Greg, I was having the same problem when I used a candle.  The camo effect is OK, but hold them a little higher, you'll still get enough heat to bend, but it will be out of the soot. 

Mike

Pat B:
Greg,  I use my kitchen stove to heat straighten hardwood and cane shoots. A heat gun works also. 
  I store all of my shoots and cane in the utility room in bundles. Cane will rot quickly if left in a damp area. Pat

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page