Trad Gang

This has probably been worn out but I have to ask. I made my son of 3 years some switch cane arrows last night that I cut two weeks ago.  I found that they straightened easier than completely dry cane which I have been making my arrows out of for years.  Then I got to thinking how years ago I saw a video of japanese fletching masters making arrows out of green bamboo.  Why do they make them out of green bamboo while we wait for the cane to dry out.  The cane I worked last night not only straightened easier but compressing the nodes and sanding the nodes was easier also.  I don't think this is an epiphany by any means, but mearly wondering who else has found this out and is there any downfalls to working cane earlier than completely dry?

Very good question Devil Dog! I await some informed responses also.

I believe it's because the cane culms that are dry will stay straighter, while those that are still green will begin to warp as they dry out.  I know a lot of people will slowly straighten the green culms a little at a time, and then let them dry a few weeks before doing the final straightening.

I usually just wait until they are dry. I work on a shaft periodically until it is straight.

You can be sure those are dry when done. Some do the periodic straightening while the shafts are drying, but I doubt any arrow smith will send out green shafts as done. If he does, I bet he doesn't get a lot of repeat business.    

There's a lot of editing done with these informational videos because I doubt you want to watch a guy straighten an arrow over and over for a half hour, then come back and straighten it several more times. A lot of those "straight" arrows that are set aside aren't really done yet, just straight enough for now. We all do plenty of final straightening, don't we?  ;)