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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Little Tree on April 15, 2007, 11:05:00 AM

Title: River Cane Source???
Post by: Little Tree on April 15, 2007, 11:05:00 AM
Anyone know a source for River Cane shafting? I just killed a hog with one, and now I am hooked! But I need some pretty small diameter stuff, because I shoot around a 50 spine. But I know it is out there, and someone has got a load of em'............Please let me know. Thanks all... LittleTree
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: the Ferret on April 15, 2007, 12:05:00 PM
Great stuff isn't it Brad? It grows all over down south...Texas, Oklahoma, the Carolinas, southern Kentucky. There's always a bunch for sale/trade at Mojam. Bet you could trade a good osage bow stave for all you could carry.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Bowspirit on April 15, 2007, 12:09:00 PM
Your local home depot prolly carries bamboo stakes that would make a good substitute for wild cane. I've never used river cane, but I know bamboo is sure worth it's weight in gold...
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Art B on April 15, 2007, 12:37:00 PM
Pays to know what you're getting. Here's an example of the two different types. Both will make fine cane arrows but the one pictured on the top is more trouble then I care to fool with. It has deep furrows and a more pronouced taper. Makes fletching somewhat difficult. One on the bottom I got from Pat B and I've seen none better.

You should post this on different message boards in their trading section. Good luck.-ART B  

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/artcher1/differentrivercane001.jpg)

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/artcher1/differentrivercane002.jpg)
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: the Ferret on April 15, 2007, 03:53:00 PM
If I remember right Art that cane on the bottom is a special specie (Bambusa?) not native to the US, grows only in a few localized places and that not even Pat can get it without traveling out of state or something. Special cane for sure. Would be nice if THAT kind of cane grew everywhere. Most of us have to put up with stuff that looks more or less like your top example.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: ZaneD on April 15, 2007, 05:41:00 PM
Mr. Ferret, the stuff that grows here in virginia looks exactly like the piece on the bottom in art's pic and as far as i know it's native, but i could be wrong.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: the Ferret on April 15, 2007, 05:47:00 PM
Mr Ferret? LOL please call me Mickey or just Ferret

Zane, I'm just going by what Pat told me or by what I remember Pat telling me. I know he sent me some awile back which made some wonderful arrows and when I asked about getting more he said he had to travel to get it, and that it didn't grow around him.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Art B on April 15, 2007, 07:14:00 PM
No, that's not Bambusa Mickey. I've got arrows make from that as well. It generally only has around two nodes per shaft. Very special stuff indeed. Nodes in that lower cane type run about 3-4 per shaft. Totally different stuff. Got both the Bambusa and cane in quetion for Pat B. He gave me several sprouts of the cane a couple years ago to transplant here in WV and it's doing fine so far.-ART B
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Pat B on April 15, 2007, 07:27:00 PM
The Bambusa grows only in zone 8 or 9(or warmer) and I live in zone 6 or 7(depending on the year).  My friend that lives near Hilton Head has a hedge of Bambuse in his yard. Whenever I visit I get a good mess of the stuff but end up giving most of it away. Hopefully I'll get down this summer on a fishing trip.
  I also have Arundaneria tecta(native switch cane) growing along the creek on my property. I have sent Art both Bambusa and switch cane. My club in GA has Arundaneria gigantia(native river cane) growing along the creeks there. It is larger diameter with more pronounced nodes.   Pat
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: crashcastle on April 15, 2007, 08:11:00 PM
im a dummy i dont knopw what zone i live in ive been looking to plant some cane as my wife wants a natural fence on our back half would the good stuff grow in central texas
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Little Tree on April 15, 2007, 10:06:00 PM
Thanks for the info guys.  Keep it comin'
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Pat B on April 15, 2007, 11:20:00 PM
This cane is called Bambusa multiplex. It is a clumping type(not spreading type) bamboo so it works well as a hedge.  It may grow in Mineral Wells. Check your local Cooperative extension service or ag agent.   Pat
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 16, 2007, 12:22:00 AM
OK OK, how much money do I need to send to you Pat B for some of that special small node cane? Those shafts with the smaller depressions at the nodes look great. Living here in Pa where it is colder makes me angry sometimes. Maybe if I got some live shoots of that cane, I could grow it in the basement under controlled conditions:) LMAO, another cane junkie is born:)  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Pat B on April 16, 2007, 08:31:00 AM
Roy, Money can't buy it but when I get some I'll put you on the list. Pat
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Caveman IL on April 16, 2007, 10:44:00 AM
I'd contact Sal ochoa who is from Los angeles, he always comes to Mojam.  Maybe he'll see this and post. What weight/spline do you need? Larry
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: ringo64 on April 16, 2007, 02:30:00 PM
little tree, i live here in wisconsin right now....for another couple of weeks, and i am making arrows from phragmites reed, which is what the indians of this area used quite a bit.  it is not nearly as durable as cane and much lighter, but is easy to straighten and fun to make into arrows.  these two fletch arrows are both phragmites...also known as bottle brush here i think. give it a try...always nice to know the local source.
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/rocinante64/ebayforsale001.jpg)
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s217/rocinante64/2fletch1.jpg)
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: crashcastle on April 16, 2007, 08:56:00 PM
dang i gotta get me some of this cool cane cause mine sure dont look that good
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 16, 2007, 09:58:00 PM
Thanks Pat, is this cane very hard to come by? My Uncle lives in SC, would it grow around his house?
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: wyatts daddy on April 17, 2007, 01:34:00 AM
I have it right here river cane for $12.00 a dozen. You can get them at Pine Hollow Longbows, Inc.  www.pinehollowlongbows.com (http://www.pinehollowlongbows.com)
Bill
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Matt E on April 17, 2007, 07:56:00 AM
The reed in the bottom of Art,s picture appears to be Switch Cane.It grows all over my section of N.C.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Art B on April 17, 2007, 09:14:00 AM
That's correct Matt. Those shafts came for Pat B down your way.

Here's a few arrows I just made up as gifts.

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/artcher1/aaa071.jpg)

Middle pic shows cane (top), Bambusa (middle) and tonkin (bottom) arrows.

(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/artcher1/aaa075.jpg)

Don't mind making arrows for hunting but really hate making 'em for wall hangers so I put a warning on 'em!  :readit:  ART B
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y232/artcher1/aaa076.jpg)
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Roy from Pa on April 17, 2007, 09:34:00 AM
Art those are beautiful arrows. I like the nocks:)
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: ber643 on April 17, 2007, 09:35:00 AM
LOL - beauties as usual, Art - any self respecting deer would (should) be proud to be shot with those. Any Bowhunter  would  be proud to use them to hunt. Hope to see you at ATAR again this year.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Matt E on April 17, 2007, 10:07:00 AM
I have to say that Art has this arrow making business as near perfected as it gets. Nice made arrows Art!
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Art B on April 17, 2007, 10:50:00 AM
Thanks Guys! Yeah, if the legs hold out and the Lord willin' I'll see you there again Bernie. Try to drag ol' Matt up here with you.

Hey Roy, those nocks are the easiest part.

 :wavey:  ART B
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: ber643 on April 17, 2007, 12:42:00 PM
Ha-ha Matt and i had a heck of a time getting to the same place at the same time  near his own home. Took a couple years and a near miss to git-r-done - LOL. It would be nice though.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Pat B on April 17, 2007, 02:50:00 PM
Roy, Depending on where in SC he lives. I got it from Bluffton,SC just outside of Hilton Head. There are many large clumps around Bluffton that were planted years ago. I have never noticed it anywhere else but that don't mean anything. I lived in Bluffton for 12 years and knew about the Bambusa but never related it to arrows until a few years ago. I left Bluffton almost 17 years ago.   Pat
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: the Ferret on April 17, 2007, 03:18:00 PM
Roy if ypu didn't make em so durned pretty no one would want them for wall art. (like the warning though!)   ;)
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Boswell on April 17, 2007, 03:24:00 PM
Queston guys, Not to hijack the thread, How do i know what size cane to cut? Have tons around here and cut some.....but its all WAY to fat? All info in harvesting would be good advise
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Mike Byrge on April 17, 2007, 03:30:00 PM
Boswell,
I use a 3/8" wrench and take it with me when cutting cane.  3/8" on the point (larger) end is about right for river-cane.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: Matt E on April 17, 2007, 04:05:00 PM
Yeah Bernie, it was at Sissapaha. We were almost at arms length of one another and didn't know it.  :)
 The day we met was the first time in a few years that I walked through the whole course. You were an inspiration to me.....I just got back from my favorite cane patch with a few dozen shafts. That is one good thing about the Old North State , we do have good shaft material if nothing else!  :)   ATAR, John Dill tried to get me to go but physical problem prevented my going. I may be able to make it this year.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: crashcastle on April 17, 2007, 08:41:00 PM
well my 25 gallon pot of bambusa multiplex on the way so in a few years ill be making really nice arrows like those
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: the Ferret on April 17, 2007, 08:54:00 PM
LOL Now that's taking the bull by the horns   ;)
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: crashcastle on April 17, 2007, 09:07:00 PM
it may take awhile but ill get in the end then ill be giving it away when i get it
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: the Ferret on April 17, 2007, 09:14:00 PM
Might as well put me on the list now     :bigsmyl:

BTW I mailed your ruler yesterday.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: ber643 on April 17, 2007, 09:40:00 PM
That'd be great, Matt, you'd love it up there - they put on a great shoot. We are  lucky about our Cane here. At first I couldn't find any but now (after you sent me some, and I found my first) I see it every where I go - LOL It's kind of funny, Mike Brooks and I were out Turkey scouting Saturday, at some old places I used to go. I found out there was/is all kinds of Cane there - only I didn't know I wanted any back then - LOL. Now I remember seeing it all over that area.
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: the Ferret on April 17, 2007, 09:52:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by ber643:
  I found out there was/is all kinds of Cane there - only I didn't know I wanted any back then -
ROTFL   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: River Cane Source???
Post by: crashcastle on April 17, 2007, 10:18:00 PM
thank you for the ruler mickey ill put it to good use