Dirty Bamboo?

[Gator1]

I was wondering if anyone has pics of limbs, with "dirty bamboo"..??

Is this stained or treated, or is it just naturally dark and stained looking?

I'm considering this on my longbow, i'm ordering.

The few I've seen, looks pretty interesting.

Thank you,

[Kevin L.]

Here's a look at a Miami Valley recurve that I had for a while. The dirty bamboo blends better in the woods than the "clean" stuff.

[Steelhead]

I believe dirty bamboo you are reffering to is tonkin bamboo.Some are dirtier than others so to speak.The ones I have had are not as blond or buttery in color and more of a muted biege tone with some charcoalish to black tones mixed in.I think it looks good personelly under clear glass and with a satin finish or flat it blends into the surroundings pretty well.

[jacobsladder]

yep....lets check out some of that tonkin bamboo...looks like natural camo to me....anyone have pics?

[TNstickn]

The "dirty" boo could be carbonized. Its a heat treating process. I've been trying to learn about this stuff, before I use it as my limb core/veneer. It is actually boiled and softens the bamboo by 30%. Dont know if it effects performance or not. As a veneer under glass, probably not much if any.

[loco_cacahuate]

I've been told by a couple of bowyers that "dirty bamboo" is just bamboo with fungus

[bentpole]

Maybe a bowyer will jump in here?

[Kevin L.]

The ones I've seen, the staining was what is referred to as a watermark. It's not desirable in a bamboo rod, I usually flame the culm if it has this. It's purely cosmetic, but I wouldn't make a rod with it.

[DEAN]

[jacobsladder]

dean...that is sweet....a little birdie told me that its a mohawk.

[Jedimaster]

[b.glass]

That is some preeety limbs right there.

I was thinking about heat treating some bamboo if anyone has some opinions on that. Does it get rid of some of that pale look in bamboo?

[Shakes.602]

AAAAAAA!!!!  A Fungus Amungus!!         Heh, just couldnt Pass It Up!!  :rolleyes:  I have a Length of Tonkin Myself that is "Dirty Looking" laid beside the Other 'Boo I Have.      

[Mike Burch]

Oh yea, I love dirty bamboo. When I order it, I want the moldest bamboo they have.

Mark Horne has some of the best looking "dirty" bamboo.

I like it better than an exotic veneer!

[Peachey]

How about torched bamboo, I can e-mail you the pic if you can post it. I cant post pics.

[TNstickn]

I would have never guessed to mold over my boo!  

[Kevin L.]

Flaming the bamboo can be done with a small propane torch. Go slowly and keep the flame moving at all times. The color you end up with will be 1-2 shades lighter than it looks when you flame it. Here's a look at the flamed strips for a rod.



And here's what the rod looks like when it's finished.

[Gator1]

Thanks to all who replied....

The New Treadway forward handle will have the Dirty Boo, providing Mike has some...

Man, is that going to be awesome...

[Tom Anderson]

Originally posted by Jedimaster:
 

Jedi,
What make of bow is this?

[Jedimaster]

Dryad Orion with recurve limbs.  Here is the link to more information and pictures of my bow.

http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=062164;p=1