Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: chep on May 01, 2009, 01:41:26 am

Title: Ipe with Bamboo (Blemished Bamboo)
Post by: chep on May 01, 2009, 01:41:26 am: I got this Ipe and Bamboo longbow laminated up. I tillered it down just right. It's shooting good. Now I am getting down to the fine details and I noticed that when I scraped the surface of the bamboo off there seemed to be some underlying blemishes. I guess I am assed out when it comes to making it pretty. That is unless of course someone knows a neat magic trick. Maybe I should have backed it with hickory instead.

I might post some pics later. Anyone else run into this regularly with bamboo? Or is this just not very common?

At least it shoots good.
Title: Re: Bamboo
Post by: chep on May 01, 2009, 02:19:31 am: Images of where I am at

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Title: Re: Bamboo
Post by: chep on May 01, 2009, 02:20:51 am: Blemishes on Bamboo in 1st photo.

Good Bamboo in 2nd Photo.

It is much more noticable than the photos illustrate.

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Title: Re: Ipe with Bamboo (Blemished Bamboo)
Post by: madcrow on May 01, 2009, 03:40:52 am: I woul;d give it a good dye job with some leather dye, seal it with your favorite clear coat and shoot it.
Title: Re: Ipe with Bamboo (Blemished Bamboo)
Post by: Ryano on May 11, 2009, 11:57:03 pm: yep, almost every piece of bamboo I've ever seen looks like that. You can cover it up with dye or just leave it natural. Its just more character.
Title: Re: Ipe with Bamboo (Blemished Bamboo)
Post by: DarkSoul on May 12, 2009, 01:09:43 pm: Those blemishes will not harm the bow. They're only superficial discolorations, not physical damage.

Looks like a fine bow to me! But I must say that wouldn't call this a "longbow". A typical longbow does not have a shelf (shelves), no thickened, stiff handle, and more bending past midlimb. But no matter what name you give the bow, it still looks good ;)
What woods are the tip overlays made of? Or: is it wood at all?
Title: Re: Ipe with Bamboo (Blemished Bamboo)
Post by: chep on May 12, 2009, 03:44:32 pm: Tips are Phenolic and white fiberglass.
Title: Re: Ipe with Bamboo (Blemished Bamboo)
Post by: Hillbilly on May 12, 2009, 04:20:36 pm: That's pretty normal with boo-just gives it induviduality. If you stain it with leather dye, you'll never notice them.