Bamboo core question

[Bob B.]

Likely done before, but here goes ... what, if any, is the difference between the following realtive to core limb woods;

Amber boo
Action boo
Carmalized boo
Regular old bamboo?

Is it jsut a color thing or something else?

Thanks,

Bob.

[Glunt]

Here's my understanding:

Amber, carmelized, carbonized  = heat treated bamboo.  I've heard all sorts of different takes on how that effects its properties.  It does turn it darker.

Actionboo = laminated bamboo.  Adds consistency due to the laminating but also adds some weight with the glue.  Very popular core, can be natural or amber.

Regular bamboo = light and stiff which makes it a good limb choice.  Common to see it combined with something else to add consistency.

I just popped a bamboo bow out of the form.  Amber actionboo cores under natural bamboo.  Building one identical with all red elm to see if I can tell a difference.

[kennym]

Yep, what Don said- Actionboo can be had in both natural and amber( amber and white)

Everyone I know makes it from flooring or stair riser using vertical grain.

I think Vince at Mohawk uses cane boo in some of his bows,the one I got from him has it anyway.

Guess they just grind the nodes flat to use under glass....

All that said, I think the bow design makes more diff than material.