Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: sleek on February 28, 2013, 03:49:29 am

Title: Please help ID this bamboo
Post by: sleek on February 28, 2013, 03:49:29 am

I cut this the other week at a river bottom in northern Oklahoma. It was the type that doesnt clump up, but rather sends out culms. Tallest was about 7-8 ft tall, and none was thicker than half an inch thick. I cut it hoping to get some arrow shafts. I didnt know when I cut it you were supposed to get second year growth, so I probably have allot that are not any good. Here are the best pics I could get.

(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/bamboo/IMG_7110_zps11b6d068.jpg)

(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/bamboo/IMG_6492_zps2d832279.jpg)

(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/bamboo/IMG_6354_zps107fe4be.jpg)

(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/bamboo/IMG_5743_zps189cfccb.jpg)

(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/rocketernally/bamboo/IMG_1291_zps8490a191.jpg)

Title: Re: Please help ID this bamboo
Post by: stringstretcher on February 28, 2013, 06:36:04 am

Looks like to me you might have switch cane.  Or it is river cane, but looks more like switch cane to me.  Nice find and great haul.  You will like the arrows it makes for sure.

Title: Re: Please help ID this bamboo
Post by: Pat B on February 28, 2013, 10:28:12 am

I think it is switch cane also. Switch cane makes very good arrows. River cane is usually taller and bigger diameter and has a very pronounced sulcus(indentation above the nodes) with thin walls and large diameter center hole.
  You'll be able to tell if any are imature in about a month. The immeture ones will develop longitudinal wrinkles. They may still make light weight arrows for kids but I haven't tried them for that.

Title: Re: Please help ID this bamboo
Post by: crooketarrow on February 28, 2013, 12:11:28 pm

  I'll go a long with that.

Title: Re: Please help ID this bamboo
Post by: Mikeeeeeeeeee on February 28, 2013, 02:50:58 pm

You have switch cane. Switch cane usually tops out at 7-8 feet, and hardly ever gets over 1/2" in diameter. It has much smoother nodes than river cane or other bamboos.
If you cut them 6' or better, you can be assured that is older growth.
I am using switch cane on my arrows and it is easy to work with.

Title: Re: Please help ID this bamboo
Post by: Pat B on February 28, 2013, 02:58:48 pm

Mikeeee, all cane(bamboo) grows to its ultimate height the first growing season and matures more over its life span so any river cane that grows to 6' isn't necessarily mature.