The Bamboo Project

OK, so the pics are kinda crappy but at least I got some. I was playing with my Atlatl at lunch today and I wanted to see if I could make an Atlatl out of bamboo in the spirit of this thread. I'm pleased at the way this turned out. It throws the 7ft med flex darts VERY fast. This is what it looks like.

Here is a side view of the Atlatl.
Frontview.jpg


This is the joint that attaches the hollow handle to the flexible shaft.
Joint.jpg


And here's the spur. Its carved from a white-tail leg bone and tied with artificial sinew.
Spurview.jpg
 
if you look close, the shaft section is three flat pieces tied together for lots of flex.
 
Md 25v that is a neat dart thrower. Bamboo is a some cool stuff. thanks for the pics.

Bryan
 
Hey Md 25v,

Nice application for the bamboo.

Your spur is at more of an angle to the atlatl than the ones I'm used to. Is that deliberate?

Doc
 
Doc, thats a piece of bone I had in my bushcraft kit. I made this at lunch and didn't have a lot to work with. It works well and thats all that matters to me. We can hit a paper plate at about twenty-five yards about one in three or four shots. I have made many types of Atlatls. This one is my favorite. Its a southwestern design with a spur carved out of the bowl-dug out.
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Sorry, I know its not bamboo but I couldn't help myself. This Atlatl is my favorite because its my hunting Atlatl. I took two cottontails with it last year.
 
Md 25v said:
Doc, thats a piece of bone I had in my bushcraft kit. I made this at lunch and didn't have a lot to work with. It works well and thats all that matters to me. We can hit a paper plate at about twenty-five yards about one in three or four shots. I have made many types of Atlatls. This one is my favorite. Its a southwestern design with a spur carved out of the bowl-dug out.

Sorry, I know its not bamboo but I couldn't help myself. This Atlatl is my favorite because its my hunting Atlatl. I took two cottontails with it last year.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, Md. I've made a few atlatls and like to fool around with them, but I would definitely spend a lot more time with them if I didn't have back issues.

On the bright side, it gives me more time to work on my sling and snares. :D

Doc
 
OK guys, today's bamboo project....... A fish spear. NO No Wait, it's interesting I promise.
I know you have all seen paralyzer spears made out of bamboo. Thats the one with the split and sharpened tines held apart with sticks or a ring. They are great. I've used them successfully for many years on bluegill, and other small fish. But what if you wanted to tackle something larger like that 30 inch catfish or carp? I usually make my hook spears with maple poles and bone tines but this thread has once again inspired me to make one solely from bamboo. This is the design I modified to work with bamboo.

Here are the parts laid out.

Partslaidout.jpg


OUCH!!! did someone say bamboo was sharp?

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Start by tying on the tines

tiedprong2.jpg


Then stick the small replacable end of the spike in the tied, permanent part.

assemblespine.jpg


Here is the assembled spike.

finishedspine.jpg


And here it is installed

installedspine.jpg


Here is the trigger installed. It works VERY well.

installedtrigger.jpg


The trigger is flat and streamlined. It lays so that thrusting the spear in the water will not move it but when it touches something ( A FISH ) it is knocked out and closes the spear. The center spike keeps the fish from swimming through the opening between the barbs before they can close.

Here is a video I made showing how the trigger works.

 
Pretty cool, Md 25v. Out of curiosity, what are you using for cordage to make your wraps? I think I remember you calling it something like "synthetic sinew" at one point. What exactly is it, and where did you get it?

TIA
 
Great pics MD25, I like the designs. I'm glad to see you are keeping this thread going while I can't...long story...I'll be back at it soon though
 
Mistwalker, I'm really glad you started this thread. I use bamboo so often in the field and never give it a second thought. This is a great way for all of us to share our projects and ideas with bamboo. I went swamp camping this weekend so I haven't made anything for the past couple days but I'll have my next bamboo project tomorrow at lunch and post it when I get home.
 
Good I can hardly wait.
I wish we had bamboo in my area but I have not seen any as of yet while out walking around the farm here in Neb. LOL

Bryan
 
sicily02 said:
Good I can hardly wait.
I wish we had bamboo in my area but I have not seen any as of yet while out walking around the farm here in Neb. LOL

Bryan
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Yep Bryan I dont think we have Bamboo growing In Nebraska, I was thinking about checking out Home Pepot or Wal-Mart "But I think It'll be hard to find Green Bamboo "If I find a Cheap source I'll let you know", I like the Fish Spear MistWalker made on the First page, I wonder If the Bamboo Spear would penatrate the tough Scale's of are local rough Fish the Carp & Buffalo ? Great Topic MistWalker, And I like your Spear's MD25 "That Flounder Spear with the Bone Harpoon Is Nice !" And your Atlatls are looking good, You do some Nice Work,
 
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Hi all,

Doc that is a good one LOL.

Dr. Snake, I know this might sound a little crazy but about 25 years back. there was a little stand of bamboo growing near Fairbury Ne. one summer is all that I remember it growing. My cousin who had just got out of the Marines found it by the little blue river that flows next to town there at the dam that a lot of people go fishing at. When My cousin found it and showed it to me, I thought wow that is so cool LOL. It was a very small stand and only a few feet high. I have looked and looked in that area to see if I could ever find any more but so nothing LOL.

Bryan
 
sicily02 said:
Hi all,

Doc that is a good one LOL.

Dr. Snake, I know this might sound a little crazy but about 25 years back. there was a little stand of bamboo growing near Fairbury Ne. one summer is all that I remember it growing. My cousin who had just got out of the Marines found it by the little blue river that flows next to town there at the dam that a lot of people go fishing at. When My cousin found it and showed it to me, I thought wow that is so cool LOL. It was a very small stand and only a few feet high. I have looked and looked in that area to see if I could ever find any more but so nothing LOL.

Bryan
Click to expand...

Hey Brian If your by Fairbury we aint to far apart, When I order one of your Knive's In the Future I could drive down & get It ! Yep up here on the Bank's of the Missouri we got lot's of Willow's "Them Green Willow's though are great for Bushcrafting, Shelter's & Trap building and Fishing Pole's or Bank Line's for Catfish, It make's you wonder where that Bamboo by the Little Blue came from ?
 
Bamboo fishing implements for Monday...

In the bush, most of my freshwater fishing is for bluegill, perch, and other panfish. These are some of the hooks I use.

Bamboo George Hook

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Bamboo Bent Hook

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I always have 550 cord with me and on a couple of camping trips I've separated the strands to make fish nets. Tying and measuring each loop by hand was a pain. After about ten minutes I gave up and decided I needed to make a crude net needle.

bamboohooks007.jpg


I'm not gonna be around tomorrow but I'll make some more bamboo stuff on Wed...
 
Great pics of the bamboo hooks and the net needle.

Dr. Snake yep by Fairbury, how that bamboo got there is a wonder. It was only for a that year though. I never saw it again. I am south of Diller now that is where I live at on the farm and have my knife making shop. Heck instead of just comming down to pic up your knife come down and WATCH :eek: it being made :D 6 to 8 hours will do it. (Well for most knives LOL)

You are only 2 hours and a few minutes from Diller.;)
I am a few miles from the little blue river that flows by Fairbury and it flows right by Steel city. My Brother in law has some land 1 mile from the river too. Great place to camp and hike.

Well take care all,

Bryan
 
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