Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Kegan on August 14, 2008, 05:15:30 pm

Title: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Kegan on August 14, 2008, 05:15:30 pm

They sell bamboo planks. Are these planks good for backing bows and all-bamboo laminates?

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: waterlogged on August 14, 2008, 06:09:19 pm

yep.

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Justin Snyder on August 14, 2008, 07:01:28 pm

I have used them in the past. As a matter of fact, I just ordered a bunch more not 20 minutes ago.  ;D

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Mark Smeltzer on August 14, 2008, 11:56:53 pm

That's where I get mine.

Mark

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Eric Krewson on August 15, 2008, 10:27:09 am

I had so many failures out of Frank's bamboo that I almost stopped making bamboo backed bows.

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: tom sawyer on August 15, 2008, 10:40:55 am

I've used this bamboo for numerous (>10, <20) backed bows and never had a failure.  I ordered a batch of 20 or 25, its much cheaper that way.  Came out to around $4 apiece, although this was a couple years ago and I don't know how much shipping has gone up.

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Kegan on August 15, 2008, 06:53:34 pm

Thanks guys! I was wondering- for an all boo laminate, pyramid style, would a taper from 2" to 1/2" be better than a taper of 1 3/4" to 3/8"? Provided they were both about 3/4" thick for weight, and about 6' long for low stress?

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Ryano on August 15, 2008, 07:05:54 pm

Quote from: Eric Krewson on August 15, 2008, 10:27:09 am

I had so many failures out of Frank's bamboo that I almost stopped making bamboo backed bows.

Eric, My brother had the same problem with bamboo from them. Got several good batches and one bad batch. The bad batch caused about a half dozen bows to brake.....We don't deal with them anymore.

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: tom sawyer on August 15, 2008, 09:12:04 pm

Who do you recommend Ryan?

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Ryano on August 15, 2008, 10:20:41 pm

Tom, the last batch he got was from a place in New Jersey, not sure of the name. I'll have to ask him.

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Eric Krewson on August 16, 2008, 11:31:13 am

I bought two 25 slat bundles from franks. First looked great but didn't hold up for bow backing. The next bundle arrived soaking wet inside, every slat was covered with mould. Threw all of this away, didn't order any more from them .

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Kegan on August 16, 2008, 04:55:05 pm

So from the mixed results, I should buy only a small number, and test the quality?

Title: Re: Frank's Cane and Rush Supply?
Post by: Rich Saffold on August 17, 2008, 12:08:37 am

Kegan, You should order from one of the East coast vendors. The problems these guys talk about come from bamboo which gets too dried out when shipping or got soaked en route..

Giant yellow bamboo slats can easily become too dry either in the super dry air of a jet, or riding on a train through the southwest..

Getting wet/mold is package abuse from the shippers as well, and I know Franks didn't ship it like this..I have been using Franks bamboo for nearly 20 years and I can assure you...

Those of us on the West coast don't have these problems with Franks.

 You don't want to risk getting bamboo shipped cross country..Shippers could care less what shape your product is in when it gets there, which is why the closest vendor is best in your situation..

...Look up Bamboo and Rattan works..I think they are in Jersey...

Rich-cuts his own ;)