The Bamboo Project

[Mistwalker]

Since I have so much bamboo given to me to work with I wanted to see just how many things I can make from it using only one knife, as in a survival situation. Since serrations help a lot when it comes to cutting bamboo and conserving the knife’s edge I have chosen to use a SOG Seal Team Elite for this. It’s a good medium sized knife with a heavy razor sharp blade, which also has a set of really sharp serrations. I have been wanting to start this project for days but work and mother nature have apparently had different plans for me. When it hasn’t been raining I’ve been at work and when I haven’t been at work it was because it was raining. Before it gets asked…yes this is green bamboo…no it really isn’t the best to make anything long term out of. If left in the damp it will mold but indoors it seems to keep ok. I’m told if I dip the tines in Borax it will help to preserve them, but I have not tested that myself. It still seems good enough to experiment on and see what can all be made from bamboo. This project is going to be off to a slow start due to work but will be fun for me. If you have done some work with bamboo feel free to post it as I'd like to see other's ideas...just don't be offended if I try it as well because the whole point is to see what all I can make from bamboo using only this one knife.

So…. since I had been wanting to make a smaller fishing spear anyway, I decided to take that project for today's task and the first one in this series. I know I have already made a couple of primitive spears but this one is very easy, quick to make, and requires very little cordage. This one is a quick and easy two prong spear. If you are where small game is plentiful and you have some stealth about you it will work on more than just fish… this will usually also take some patience.

The first cut is when cutting down the bamboo is always easiest done on an angle.

But then it’s easier to split it if you “square” off the end.

Then it’s best to take a small piece of cordage and tie it off at the joint where you want it to stop, this is better on a joint because it’s easier to keep the string from moving this way.

And then split the bamboo. First in half, and then in half again making a cross and this gives you four tines.

Then break off two oposite tines.

Then next you whittle them into the size and shape you want and sharpen them. And harden over coals.

 

[Mistwalker]

I like to make a spacer or seperator out of a joint from the rmaining bamboo. This holds the tines apart, and adds a bit of strength. Just take a left over section and square off an end and clean it up good.

Then bore out the center, this is better done before you cut it off when working with smaller pieces.

Then cut it off

Whittle it into shape

Check it for fit, and then cut notches on each side of the tines for the cordage and tie it in place. Now you are ready to fish or hunt.

 

[dawsonbob]

Wow, mist, you're becoming the bamboo man. Cool stuff.

Years ago I made a compression fire starter from bamboo (following a diagram in one of my books). You might want to try one of those at some point. They're pretty cool.

 

[Mistwalker]

Wow, mist, you're becoming the bamboo man. Cool stuff.

Years ago I made a compression fire starter from bamboo (following a diagram in one of my books). You might want to try one of those at some point. They're pretty cool.

Thanks, I have lots of ideas...just little time to do them.

Is that what somew call a fire piston? I have been told I should try it...that would be something else I could do on the porch or at night.

 

[sharpguytoo]

COOL SPEAR. The fire starter would be a great item to be able to make. If you can get a good seal. How abvout some nets/traps that would work well from bamboo? Gotta keep ya busy!

 

[TheGame]

Awesome looking spear! Another great post! Definitely looks like it would be a great option to have in a long term survival situation. Thanks for sharing :thumbup:

 

[dawsonbob]

Thanks, I have lots of ideas...just little time to do them.

Is that what somew call a fire piston? I have been told I should try it...that would be something else I could do on the porch or at night.

Yes, a fire piston; I just didn't think of that term (slaps self up along side of head for being stupid). I may still have that book. If so, I'll scan the page for you.

 

[Mistwalker]

Thanks all, glad you like this one, it's simple and quick.

I think I would like to try to make a fire piston, I hear mixed feelings on them so I'd like to try it for myself.

I am going to make a cage type box trap for fowl or small game also.

I want to make some fish traps also but that will take a good bit of whatever cordage I use.

I have lots of ideas for things...shelters, water collection, water purification, tools, utensils, etc. it's just that at the moment I have little time. However in this economy I can't find it in me to complain about having work.

 

[street soldier]

Awesome looking spear, Mist.

One question, though. Why did you cut off the two other tines? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to keep all four tines to maximize your chances of catching something? I'm relatively new to outdoors survival and such, so I ask as a matter of learning, not being critical.

Thanks.

 

[dawsonbob]

Mist;

Email me at: bob at dawsondoes dot com and I'll send you the page I was talking about on making a fire piston. Anyone else who wants the page can email me at the same address.

 

[Rockywolf]

I like the spear. You going to test it and report findings?

 

[Mistwalker]

Awesome looking spear, Mist.

One question, though. Why did you cut off the two other tines? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to keep all four tines to maximize your chances of catching something? I'm relatively new to outdoors survival and such, so I ask as a matter of learning, not being critical.

Thanks.

I actually meant for that one to have smaller tines closer together for smaller fish like Bream or Bluegill or for smaller game. I really should have made it from smaller stock...I still want to make an even smaller one so I suppose means you'll be subjected to another one along the way somewhere.

Since I had already made the four pronged spear I was trying to show another method and not be redundant.

Mist;

Email me at: bob at dawsondoes dot com and I'll send you the page I was talking about on making a fire piston. Anyone else who wants the page can email me at the same address.

Ok Bob, I'll email in a few, thanks.

 

[Mistwalker]

I like the spear. You going to test it and report findings?

Thanks. With the penelty (under the heading of poaching)...not sure I'm brave enough unless I can do it on private land.

 

[dawsonbob]

Ok Bob, I'll email in a few, thanks.

Okay. I'll watch for it.

 

[sicily02]

I like the way you made and used the spacer for the prongs. Good Idea.

Bryan

 

[Joezilla]

I've been playing with bamboo alot lately too, ironically. I hate serrations for it and am addicted to machete-ing them to get what I need. Check out the military survival manual (shudders). They actually have some neat stuff when it comes to bamboo. You want to have more tines, and make them thinner. You can maximize your area of penetration. Trying to get large points such as those in fish is pretty hard once you try it, unless you have a series of barbs to hold the fish once it is on there. . I found this little pic which hits home well

 

[Mistwalker]

I've been playing with bamboo alot lately too, ironically. I hate serrations for it and am addicted to machete-ing them to get what I need. Check out the military survival manual (shudders). They actually have some neat stuff when it comes to bamboo. You want to have more tines, and make them thinner. You can maximize your area of penetration. Trying to get large points such as those in fish is pretty hard once you try it, unless you have a series of barbs to hold the fish once it is on there. . I found this little pic which hits home well

Well shoot Joe, feel free to post up, all are invited to show what they've made here, I may just have to have a go at making whatever it is myself. I like these serrations for cutting between joints...like containers and such.

For me it often splits when trying to chop between them even with a machete that will shave Oh...I've read the military survival manuals....both before and after the seventies version. There are some great tips in there, I think it's just my usual nature of woodworking that wants to be too artistic maybe...shrugs.... I know on small fish smaller is better, on fish like flounder I like them larger because they have a tough hide on the bottom...I'm working my way down....I just also wanted this one to be strong enough to work on say hitting the bottom after going through bullfrogs (we do have some big ones around here...may have something to do with the nuclear plants I don't know)...a muskrat or other prey as well, and I'm affraid I may have gotten these too small and thin for the muskrats though.

Either way...I still like my spears better than the one in that second pic

 

[Joezilla]

Hey now, relax there chief, just giving some tips from the frustration that I've gone through.

 

[Mistwalker]

Hey now, relax there chief, just giving some tips from the frustration that I've gone through.

Dude, I'm sitting at my desk playing with a knife....lol, I'm the very picture of relaxed

I love to hear other's input, honest. If I ever grow so closed minded that I quit listening I want somebody to slap me hard and remind me of the fact that's something I really have issues with in other people and don't want to be guilty of myself.

Seriously, feel free to offer input and post pics, it's all supposed to be about sharing and learning right? We all have things we can teach and things we can learn.

 

[hillst1]

Joe, do you get your bamboo across from the State Surplus store?? Just wondering since I need to find a place to harvest some for a couple of projects.