Action boo Amber vs Natural..any difference?

Zradix · January 19, 2011, 10:12:00 PM

Hi All!

IS there any difference, besides the color, between amber or natural action boo?

Thank you

redant 60/65 · January 19, 2011, 11:13:00 PM

Orion · January 20, 2011, 12:09:00 AM

Are you talking laminated bamboo (actionboo) versus non laminated bamboo i.e., natural bamboo? If so, the actionboo is supposedly more consistent from lamination to lamination. I prefer natural bamboo. Not so many glue joints, which I think makes for a springier, livelier lamination. The many vertical glue joints in ationboo reduces its elasticity IMO. For what it's worth.

January 20, 2011, 12:30:00 AM

The bowyers can tell you from personal experience...hopefully they will chime in..

I have heard the amber is a bit more brittle....heard that a loooong time ago and have no experience with it.

Zradix · January 20, 2011, 01:08:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:
Are you talking laminated bamboo (actionboo) versus non laminated bamboo i.e., natural bamboo? .....

Thanks for the reply.

I'm asking about the differences between natural colored action boo and amber colored action boo.
Both laminates different colors.

Thank you

mtquivers · January 20, 2011, 04:26:00 AM

No difference at all for me. Never had either fail. No poundage variation between the two either.

Apex Predator · January 20, 2011, 06:17:00 AM

I can't tell the difference. I make the decision based on color coordination only, when deciding what I'll use.

BigJim · January 20, 2011, 06:43:00 AM

yes, big difference. One is much more attractive than the other.

Bigjim

Rob DiStefano · January 20, 2011, 06:47:00 AM

if the boo - action or solid - has lost it's basic white/parchment color, it's either been stained or tempered.

you know what stain is all about.

tempering heats and cooks the internal grass resins and changes the molecular structure of the boo, making it stronger, stiffer and more durable.

i don't know if any laminated boo is tempered before edge glue joined.

there was some bowyer talk awhile back concerning actionboo/lamboo, but i dunno the full story - hopefully, bowyers can interject their comments. perhaps it was just a bad edge lam job.

all my longbows use solid boo/cane cores and veneers. i've had a few actionboo cored longbows and they seemed just fine. perhaps it's just splitting hairs, but i'd think that edge laminated limbs adds more weight and lighter is always better with bow limbs (assuming there are no strength/stiffness issues). i doubt i could tell the difference in actual performance 'tween lamboo and solid boo. i *DO* know that boo limbs are the smoothest for me, and the only limb core choice i use. ymmv.

Jeremy · January 20, 2011, 08:35:00 AM

For bamboo backed bamboo bows (no glass) there is definitely a difference. The natural retains it's shape much better than the amber - set is greatly reduced. In glass bows though... I doubt there's a difference.

While Rob is correct about tempering boo, as far as I can tell that is only true about the power fibers in the boo. Most of the actionboo is the pith, not the power fibers.

I prefer the solid boo in limbs. Actionboo is nice and consistent, which is great for bowyers, but it's heavier than it's solid counterpart.

7 Lakes · January 20, 2011, 07:27:00 PM

Rob, the tempered laminated bamboo is more expensive but worth it. It's what I use.

What is Amberboo. Is it just stained Bamboo Actionwood?

Sixby · January 21, 2011, 12:44:00 AM

I use carbonized actionboo. I have tested it against the natural and found it to be stiffer in the same size laminations. I have also found it to be a tiny bit more brittle in break tests. That is to be expected since it is the same wood but heat treated. The brittleness is not a consideration when used in longbows whitch do not have sharp bending curves. However I opt for other core woods in the recurves. Reason is the off chance of someone stringing a recurve and having a side of a string not get properly into the notch and then flipping a limb over. Maple and hickory, red elm and zebra plus several others will hold together in a twist like that in most instances. However no boo will because of the liniar construction of the material. That is my experience and its what I work off of.
Mike Fedora Sr. basicaly told me the same thing which I had found out about heat treated or carbonized bamboo. My personal experiences have validated that to me. I am a believer that core does make a difference. IMHO carbonized actionboo is the best core for a longbow or d and r longbow. If I were convinced that foam would last as long I would opt for that. Performance wise foam core is tons lighter and combined with carbon is the lightest , fastest limb I have ever built. However its extended lifetime is still a question to me. As many Hills are around that are well aged bamboo has no question mark.
God bless you all, Steve

Zradix · January 21, 2011, 08:18:00 AM

Thank you for the responses.
I really appreciate all the info!

SIXBY.....what is carbonized actionboo?

Thank you!

Jeremy · January 21, 2011, 10:51:00 AM

Everyone is calling the same thing by different names

Amberboo, carbonized actionboo and carmelized actionboo are all just the vertically laminated bamboo that has been heated to change the color. My house is full of the stuff (flooring, cutting boards, cooking utensils). A few years ago it was hard for the average guy to find any of the laminated boo in a form other than flooring... now it's getting fairly easy to get boards in various dimensions.

Zradix · January 21, 2011, 11:10:00 AM

My world has become a simpler place.
Thank you for the clarification.

Neat to know it's done with heat. I thought it was a dye/stain.

IdahoCurt · January 21, 2011, 11:27:00 AM

Not to stir the pot but according to Elmont Bingham the only difference in Natural and amber action-boo is the color,That is coming from the guy processing this.

Sixby,what is this carbonized Boo you speak of?
Sounds interesting,where do you get it?