John Schulz method of tempering bamboo?

[sidebuster]

When John Schulz had bow making classes he would divulge the coveted method taught  to him by Howard Hill on how to heat the bamboo to temper the bamboo.   Those few students that decided to make the John Schultz bow for sale  today keep the John Schulz method of tempering the bamboo very close to their chest.  Just wondering does any body know this unique method used by John Schulz  in heating the bamboo in order to temper it?

[bamboo]

ttt

[Tom Leemans]

I've been looking around this morning. I found several bamboo rod sites. Here's one that explains his method of tempering, or "flaming" the bamboo.  http://www.canerods.com/Rodmaking2.html   I've also read about people putting the boo in a steel pipe, then heating the pipe. Sounds like either way, you need practice.

[Kevin L.]

There's a couple of different ways, depending on what look you want. I don't know about the Schulz method you're referring to, but I do make bamboo flyrods, so I've done it a bit. If you want a blonde finish color, you can either use an oven, 15 minutes @ 325*, or use a propane handheld torch and flame the inside (pith side), then take a wire brush and brush away the ash from the pith. The method is better described here  http://www.bamboorodmaking.com/html/blonde_flamed_cane.html

Outside flaming follows a similar procedure, but you only flame until a nice, deep chocolate color develops. If this method is used, be sure to plane away the pith before gluing up. A light sanding or scraping of the enamel will get rid of the enamel ash and leave a nice, mottled color.

Hope this helps. It works great while rodmaking, but I've never made a bow, so be prepared to experiment a bit. Heat treating bamboo is primarily used to reduce moisture and make the bamboo a little "quicker".

Kevin