Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Swamp Bow on November 22, 2009, 12:46:32 am

Title: Flatening Bamboo
Post by: Swamp Bow on November 22, 2009, 12:46:32 am

I've been straightening bamboo for arrows (actually it would be better to say learning how to straighten).  I was wondering since it is so "easy" to straighten bamboo for arrows, could the same method be used to flatten it?  I imagine splitting a piece and knocking out the inside of the nodes. Then heat and flatten it, maybe in a vice? It would allow the use of smaller diameter and thiner walled bamboo I imagine.  Thanks

Swamp

Title: Re: Flatening Bamboo
Post by: M-P on November 22, 2009, 03:04:27 am

Hi, Korean bowyers do something like that to prepare the core for their composite bows.  They work with green bamboo and pretty thin walled.   The video on building the Korean bow shows the bowyer heating bamboo strips and then pulling it under his foot (between the foot and the ground.  His foot is protected by a coffee can.   Ron