Bamboo question

[bjordnolf]

I am going to be making a bamboo backed ipe. I have read posts where people talk about scraping off the rind. Why is this done and is it necessary?
thanks

[Rich Saffold]

It's not necessary, but its a popular thing to do on the yellow bamboos if they are going to get a darker dye or pigmented finish.  I like how the yellow timber  looks with just the rind scraped off, sanded smooth, oiled, and let the sun tan it a bit.

I use a lot of darker bamboos which I don't scrape off the rind since I'm using them because they look good as they are.

Rich

[Justin Snyder]

Like Rich said.  If you get a piece with spots in the rind, it can make you feel good to scrape it off and make sure the fibers underneath are in good shape before you use it.  Justin