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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Bob B. on February 29, 2012, 11:31:00 AM

Title: Bamboo core question
Post by: Bob B. on February 29, 2012, 11:31:00 AM
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.
Title: Re: Bamboo core question
Post by: Glunt on February 29, 2012, 01:14:00 PM
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.
Title: Re: Bamboo core question
Post by: kennym on February 29, 2012, 09:16:00 PM
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.  :)