Harvesting Bamboo for Bow Backing

[BryBow]

I have a ton of Chinese Bamboo shoots I can harvest and use for bow backing. How large does the circumference of the bamboo shoot have to be on the stalk before cutting it and using it for bow backing?

After I cut the stalk do I need to seal with glue where I cut the stalk as you do when you cut a tree?

[Eric Krewson]

4" minimum diameter. Cut your trunk longer than you need, punch out the node sections with a hoe handle so air can move through the trunk to speed drying. You don't need to seal the ends.

Your bamboo needs to turn tan before you use it.

[BryBow]

Thank you Eric. Where can I find instructions on the rest of the process. I have googled it and searchd for it here and on PA and can find nothing.

[BryBow]

Interesting thing just happened Erik. I was cleaning up my reading list on my ipad and came across a TradGang post  from Oct 2010 that I had saved.

  http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=095110;p=0  

I saved it because I am interested in Bamboo backed bows. A friend of mine has one and I think it's one of the prettiest bows I have seen.

Left handed draw so I couldn't try it out if I paid him to let me.

Anyway, I just started in this lovely way of life and the only thing that bums me out about it Eric is that I started so late. But as they say "better late then never".

You can read about my first build here:

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=130858;p=1#000007

You do some beautiful work Erik. Thanks for the help on selecting bamboo.