River Cane Backing

[Thwackaddict]

Anyone ever tried River cane for backing?

[Apex Predator]

Backing what, a pencil?  

[Thwackaddict]

Well,what i thought i had a huge patch of is not what i thought it was.I thought it was kane but judging from the size and responses i'm gettin it must be some type of boo!These pieces come from a 45' tall specimen.Any one know what this is or how to identify it?

[Uncle Buck]

I think river cane pounded flat would be worth trying. I would be suprised if someone hasnt already done it. other plany fibers have been used successfully

[Apex Predator]

Mostly you are gonna need something at least 3.5-4" in diameter for even the narrow bows.  Don't know of anyone that has been able to flatten bamboo and still retain it's great tension qualities.

[red hill]

I've wondered is river cane could be cut, or drawn into slinder lengths and glued together to make a backing.  May try later.
Stan

[hova]

if you get a long enough piece , im sure you could cut very thin slices , as long as they are whole fibers , you could probably do a sort of lam with it, but it would be some rediculous work.

you could also probably find some wide enough tofit over some rattan. that would be pretty neat. boo/ratan warbow...


-hov

[getstonedprimitivebowhunt]

Heck ...give it a try...

[Pat B]

You can lay strips of cane, side by side down the back of the bow as a backing.
If you can get a 1" wide strip from one of the bigger culms make a trapezoidal cross section bow with osage or ipe belly. Make the belly 1 1/4" to
1 3/8" wide and taper the sides to the boo backing.

[red hill]

Pat, if you use strips of cane would Titebond work?  
Using strips of river cane with TitebondII was the idea I have for backing a bow.
Stan

[Pat B]

Yes, TB will work fine. Be sure both glue surfaces are smooth and well mated. No toothing or grooving for TB glue.

[Roy Steele]

I've never did this but I once saw a hickory backed with river cain strips.It looked good and the guy said it was a great shooter.