Curing bamboo?

[R H Clark]

What's the best way to treat fresh cut bamboo to cure for backing?

Also what is the smallest diam bamboo that would be useful for backing bows with about 1-1/4" limbs.

Thanks
Randy

[Jesse Peltan]

I don't know for sure think 2-3in in diameter. I think you just let the boo air dry for a few weeks or months after you cut it into strips. I would try cutting a 2-3in piece into quarters and flatten it and see if it is thick enough for the bow.

[Bryan Bondurant]

You can use anything you can get your hands on but bigger is better for backing. The bigger the bamboo is around the more you have to work with.

  As far as drying, just cutting it long and hanging it will work. You can also tie some weight on the end as it hangs. Some people just cut it then bundle it and let it dry like that, it will keep it pretty straight.

  I have a friend who is into commercial bamboo and he was telling me they used Borax mixed with water to bug proof it. After it was cut they were submerging it into a bath for a few hours then using it. I have never tried this yet but plan to here pretty shortly.

[Springbuck]

Yeah, mostly keep it dry and off the ground.  I had sopme green stuff that never turned yellow until I put it in the sun a few hours.

 Split the rounds, or the bamboo will decide for you where it wants to split.

  Since boo is so strong, I agree with Bryan.  Small bamboo can go on hard woods for narrow bows, or down the middle of a trapped limb...

[ichiban]

you could also use many small diamiter peices of boo and have them side by side to avoid the crown