Cutting bamboo for shafts

[Michael Scott]

What is the best tool to use for cutting bamboo stock for arrows? Would I want to use some sort of a saw, a knife, or some sort of pruning shears? I see many stands of bamboo near where I live, and have been itching to cut some to try and make my own shafts. Any advice or ideas would be great!! Thanks!!

[PrimitiveTim]

I just use a bowie knife and slice diagonally across where I cut.  Later I'll go back and trim them up with some type of rotating blade.

Or you could use stone.  Just use the edge of the stone to cut a ring all the way around and then bend the shoot at that point slightly in all directions and you'll feel the fibers breaking at that point.  This method allows the shoot to come off real clean.... if you want to be real primitive.

Slicing with a large knife is by far the quickest way I know to do it.  That stuff is good trading material too...

[stickbender]

     I use a pair of hedge loppers, I got from the man store.  (Harbor Freight)  It cuts them without crushing the area where you cut it.  It is sharp, and has a ratcheting system for the jaws.  A small toothed saw will work also.  Like a hacksaw, or something similar.  These bamboo hedges wouldn't be in peoples yards or the park would they?   Not that I have ever done anything like that, a local park, on a Sunday, when the park attendant isn't there.
 
                                                               Wayne

[Danzn Bar]

+ 1 on the loppers............I use them on river cane they work good!
DBar

[Thesquirrelslinger]

a razor edge hatchet is by far the best. I have tried loppers, cutters, pruning saws, a hacksaw, and a 10" hunting knife... and the hatchet cuts cleanly every time without splitting the 'boo or cane.

[tallpine]

I have tried just about everything and the best tool I have found is a PVC pipe cutter. They are small enough to reach right into a thick stand of cane and neatly snip off the one you want. I also use it for cutting my shafts to length, makes a clean square cut. >Dan

[Pat B]

I use my Felco #2 hand pruners(bypass style) I use in landscape work to cut all my cane and sourwood shoots.
 Be sure you cut mature(at least 2 years old) culms(canes). The immature ones will wrinkle lengthwise as they dry and they will be too flimsy for most arrows.

[Patches]

I use a coping saw.  The small teeth do not cause the shaft to crack, it can fit into tight places because you can change the angle of the blade, and it does the job quick. 

[Thesquirrelslinger]

I have tried just about everything and the best tool I have found is a PVC pipe cutter. They are small enough to reach right into a thick stand of cane and neatly snip off the one you want. I also use it for cutting my shafts to length, makes a clean square cut. >Dan

what is this magical tool? I tried a normal conduit or pipe cutter(for copper/alumnium/soft steel/brass/you get the point) and it just split the stuff.
bypass pruners work well too. A hatchet just has an awesome factor though...

[Hillbilly]

You can't beat a set of Felco pruning shears for cutting arrow cane. Don't use anvil shears, only bypass.

[Danzn Bar]

You don't have to bend over as far with a good sharp pair of loppers!   

[Hillbilly]

But you can't carry the loppers in your pocket.

[stickbender]

     I have a pair of cutters, with about a 3 or 4 inch long razor sharp, replaceable blade, that I keep in my truck.  I use those, when I don't have my loppers handy, or can't use them because it would be obvious what I am doing to certain........ uh....... park officials....... uh if I were to do such things, that is........   They are also from the the Man's store. (Harbor Freight)   They cut clean, without any split edges.  They are about eight inches or so, long.  And Fit in my pocket.
Each of these items listed on here from other contributors, are all worthy of using.  Just use what is handy and works for you.     You want a tool, that is handy, and won't crush, or split the boo, or cane.  The best tool, is the "one" you like.

                                                                 Wayne