Hello there.
Im in the process of making bamboo arrows for the first time
I cut some Japanese arrow bamboo some weeks ago, and its now drying.
Meanwhile i have been reading, and watching vídeos about the construction process.
Some years Ago i bougth the book "Making bamboo arrows" by Jaap Koppedrayer, and i read it again now.
My first question is that he advises to break the nodes internly, with a hot iron rod, so the bamboo doesnt break when we he get it hot to straingtheen. I havent seen this advice anywhere else.
My second question is that he advices to align the nodes up and down, not facing the bow handle. This also goes against everything i read online, where people align the nodes facing the handle, so they do not touch your hand while drawing.
I know hes very knowledgeable in regards to bamboo bows and arrows, but i would like to hear your opinion.
Thanks
João from Portugal
My first question is that he advises to break the nodes internally, with a hot iron rod, so the bamboo doesn't break when we he get it hot to straighten.
I've never done that and never had a problem when straightening them.
My second question is that he advices to align the nodes up and down, not facing the bow handle.
The nodes run the whole way around the shaft.
Another picture.
Dang Roy! Did you make those???
Yupper Terry
Wow Roy, those are really NICE!!!!! :readit:
Thanks...
I shot the N.A.L.S in 2018 with a gentleman for Bend OR he shot bamboo arrow out his self bow I was truly amazed how straight they were. They were built like Roy's except he used micro nocks, always wanted to try them out.
It's amazing how well bamboo arrows fly.
Quote from: Roy from Pa on May 18, 2025, 10:40:27 AMIt's amazing how well bamboo arrows fly.
Crazy tough!!!
Yes they are...
Very nice cane arrows, Roy. Cane makes great arrows that are virtually indestructible even though they are a little more tedious to make.
As far as the nodes go I was taught to have the sulcus(small indentation above the nodes)up and down on the shaft.
Like Roy I've never broken the nodes internally. Japp works his bows and arrows in the Japanese tradition and I guess that's the way it's done there.
Because of the natural taper and quick recovery cane arrows will usually shoot from a wider range of bow weights.
Roy, tell us how you got the Bheads mounted please..... :campfire: :coffee:
:campfire: :coffee:
Quote from: Terry Green on May 19, 2025, 11:13:04 AMRoy, tell us how you got the Bheads mounted please..... :campfire: :coffee:
I use a short 4 inch section of a hickory arrow shaft, I reduce the diameter on one end about 1.5 inch long till it fits into the bamboo shaft. Then glue it in with epoxy and align it straight and let it dry. Then just taper the end of the hickory shaft for the broadhead.
I run a drill bit into the end of the bamboo shaft first to clean out the puffy crap and make it more uniform. And I wrap the glue joint with sinew when all done.
For glue on points you can taper the end of the cane like with other shafting but you have to use a grinding type taper tool and not a pencil sharpener type. I use my table top belt sander with a wood jig with a 5 degree and an 11 degree guide.
I would love to have some Boo arrows to shoot out of my 2 selfbows I made at LTR next January as I plan on driving so I can take what ever I want.
Would there be a vendor that manufactures these boo shafts for sale?
:campfire:
Terry, if you want some raw cane I'll cut some hill cane from along the creek on our property. Hill cane is one of three native to North America and it makes excellent arrows.