Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: legend on August 10, 2025, 11:28:09 am
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Re my previous thread about Bhutanese bamboo bows . Can anyone tell me any simple methods of heat treating the bamboo , length of time , one or both sides etc ? Does this actually make a better performing all round bow ?
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Heat treating bamboo is primarily for the belly to help with the compression strength. I've watched James Parker use a rosebud propane torch and scorch the heck out of the outside of a bamboo slat. It looked almost like he had ruined the boo but he assured me he hadn't.
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Thankyou for your reply
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Legend, I have done quite a bit of testing on heat treatment of bamboo, and we have to agree with Pat usually the flashy side of the bamboo. The inner portion of the bamboo slat is heat treated. I have done some limited testing on heat treating the rind side of the bamboo And using it as the back outward facing portion of the limb with negative results turning it the other way around, however, and using it on the compression side would be a better fit for your style of bow build mentioned in the previous thread length of time would depend on how much heat how close to that heat but typically I use a burner of radiant heat source on the flesh aside only for about 10 to 20 minutes about a distance of 4 to 6 or 8 inches away, depending on heat source. I normally go until it turns a light brown and colour on the flesh side of the bamboo slat. I typically don’t touch the Rhine side when it’s used as the back. I have not tried using the Rhine side as the belly as a single piece of bamboo like the bow you’re wanting to build however, I have built bamboo bows with rind on the inside the backside this was a bamboo backed and belied treated bow that worked quite well. I used EA 40 smooth on to glue those two opposing bamboo slats together tapered appropriately of course I know that James Parker has also built many of these type of bows, bamboo back and belly bows. Some of the fastest bows I’ve ever built were these type of bows and in these cases, I only treated the belly slat. Hope this helps you somewhat. I would hazard to guess if you’re building the bow described in your previous thread with the flashy part being the back take caution that heat treating the rind side, which would be your belly of the bow may overpower and cause a failure intention on the flesh side back of that bamboo slat Just my opinion though.
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Thankyou very much for a very informative reply , lots of good information there ,