Update on making bamboo arrows .

maybe you already did these searches
but for anyone else wanting to look for more info . . . . . .

bamboo fishing rod builders have a lot to constribute in techniques.
the 'french polish' finish sounds useful.

Although they split the canes
they do straighten them
& flatten nodes:
http://globalflyfisher.com/rodbuilding/bamboo3/index.php

http://globalflyfisher.com/keywords/index.php?keyword=bamboo

www.google.com/search?q=++~straightening-~bamboo+~culms%7C~nodes%7C~rods%7C~shafts%7C~blanks%7C~poles+jigs%7C~machines%7C~tools&num=100&filter=0

almost the same findings
but check the bootom of the list for a few differences
www.google.com/search?q=++~straightening-~bamboo++jigs%7C~machines%7C~tools&num=100&filter=0



<:)> THEY call me 'Dean' <>
dean-sp-sm.jpg

<:eek:> Caution: Not all ideas vented from this brain are entirely based on empirical data. JMO-M2C-fWiW-iIRC-YMMV-fYI-TiA-YW-GL
<:D> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D
 
I,ll check out the fly fishing sites . There is a guy who splits pine shafts and reglues them in the same way as the fishing rods . It makes a better pine shaft . It doesn,t make it better than cedar . the pine is too fragile and while quality control is good it has to be great .

I think eventually I,ll have to get better bamboo . For now I,ll try heat and pressure smoothing the nodes . It is very good practice for me to understand bamboo at a basic level . I made a 36 yard shot right on the money tonite .

I like Atlatls . When I am not so active on other projects I might run one up .
Its a launcher that requires a limber arm . If the arm is at all stiff it can cause injuries .
 
Kevin the grey said:
I like Atlatls . When I am not so active on other projects I might run one up .
Its a launcher that requires a limber arm . If the arm is at all stiff it can cause injuries .
Click to expand...

I like atlatls as well but have only seen them in museums.
I have read several articles about atlatls and one in particular was very interesting. The fellow did a lot of extensive testing and even had a scale of some sort set up on the target to measure the force with which the spear hit. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of force it was compared to a hand thrown spear but it was astronomical!!!!:thumbup: :eek: :cool: :D
The fellow also said that it was easier to learn to throw with an atlatl accurately than it was to shoot well with a bow and arrow, something else I was amazed at but still not sure if I believe it. It may have just been his opinion or his experience.;)
 
Yvsa said:
I like atlatls as well but have only seen them in museums.
I have read several articles about atlatls and one in particular was very interesting. The fellow did a lot of extensive testing and even had a scale of some sort set up on the target to measure the force with which the spear hit. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of force it was compared to a hand thrown spear but it was astronomical!!!!:thumbup: :eek: :cool: :D
The fellow also said that it was easier to learn to throw with an atlatl accurately than it was to shoot well with a bow and arrow, something else I was amazed at but still not sure if I believe it. It may have just been his opinion or his experience.;)
Click to expand...

My bow is light and though I don,t shoot all that much when I shoot I shoot three times a week in the winter and if I could more in the summer . many tons of force a week. It loads the arms with stress . My bow drawi technique is very linear . An Atlatl launch technique involves turning a radius into a straight line . Or at least changing the arc of the radius until it is almost straight . It hurts like a bugger to me . I think because of the amount of force applied in archery it would take an exercise program designed to make my arms more flexible . Then I could approach the atlatl from a level playing field .

Amount of force equal to a spear with no launcher ? ( I too am not so sure of that one .) Precision at distance ? For a physiacally fit man who knows how to tune his atlatl I have no doubt he could be reasonably precise . I personally don,t think it could be the hair splitter a bow and arrow could be .
Then again there are compound shooters who say that of trad shooters. There are rifle shooters who say that of all archery ,and so on.

I know there are rare individuals who can hit an aspirin in the air at ten yards with a longbow . I couldn,t even see the aspirin .

I too would like to go see Atlatls in a museum . They are one of those tools that can become personalised, functional works of art .
 
http://www.bambooarrow.com/

International Bamboo Arrow Society
This society is dedicated to the construction, theory and use of bamboo, cane and reed arrows from around the world. Membership is open to all who are interested. (To join, just enter your e-mail address down below for the bamboo arrow discussion list).

they also have a sequence of stills from a howto video

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'Traditional' archery site w/ arrow threads
http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/tf/lw/threadsx2.CFM?category=2

<:)> THEY call me 'Dean' <>
dean-sp-sm.jpg

<:eek:> Caution: Not all ideas vented from this brain are entirely based on empirical data. JMO-M2C-fWiW-iIRC-YMMV-fYI-TiA-YW-GL
<:D> Noobee <> Tips <> Baha'i Prayers Links --A--T--H--D
 
I checked out that site and it is great . I asked a question about node reduction and the guy was pretty sure I could sandthe nodes on any type of bamboo . The clips are pretty good and I want to try and make the double sanding wheel .
Up till now all advice given except for Yvsa.s has been node reduction through pressure and heat . I am always cautious when dealing with arrows as they take a lot of abuse . If they break when you shoot them they break behind your hand and wrist . There is a picture somewhere of a guy with a splintered carbon arrow embedded in his wrist . Its not even getting it in there that hurts the most .Its getting the slivers back out .
for now I,m gonna stick with node reduction ilike I have been tryingto do and when I get time to make a new set-up I,ll try sanding .
 
I have a thunderbird atlatl... haven't really played with it enough to get good... but it's interesting.

Don't think I would prefer it to my bear recurve though.
 
Just how deadly is one of those Atlatls???


Could it replace my beloved chainsaw as my main melee weapon??



remember...the splatter factor is also in question
 
LOL...

No, I don't think that, as a close up weapon, it would be any more effective than would be one of Kevin's bamboo arrows.

Best word I could use would be... primitive.
 
Atlatls tae a great deal of practice and alimber well exercised body . There are those who have developed an almost sidearm throw . The common over shoulder throw can cause havoc with a poorly maintained shoulder . The dart has to be matched to the thrower in that the spine has to be correct for the force being applied . Anyone who can hit an 8 inch circle at 20 yards is doing great . Most people are in the 20 inch circle at that distance . People who say its easier than a bow ? They have my respect .
 
NOT easier than a bow... at least not for me. And the overhead throw works better for me -- maybe all those years pitching have something to do with it? Dunno.

And with atlatl darts, the weight seems to matter a great deal. Don't think bamboo would work at all.

That's all I am going to say now, though. If we want a thread on atlatls, we should start one.

I ain't doin' it. Heh.
 
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