Bamboo Flooring for backing bows?

[Reddwarf]

#5713

What experiences have you guys had with using bamboo flooring as backing material for bows?

Thanks

Red Dwarf

[grumpy]

#43917

I want to know too. Been thinking about that.

[horserod]

#44540

I may be wrong here, but, I believe they use a special process with Bamboo when applied to flooring applications which makes it harder….read: Durable. Horserod

[Troy Breeding]

#46117

In my book it would be like spitting into the wind. I’ve used it a boat load of times as core wood, but doubt it would hold up as a backing. The urea glue used to laminate it together isn’t what I’d call ideal for the exterior of a bow.

[Ralph]

#47017

Troy, what about Ipe? For bow, backed or not backed?

By the way, I will work on this :-)) SPEAK without offending:D

[coastalbendbows]

#47459

I wouldn’t back a bow with boo flooring or ipe. If I was building a backed bow then it needs to be reg bamboo sinew cloth paper or some other sort of material.

Ipe can be used on the belly and it’s a great choice too

[Reddwarf]

#50740

I guess that I will just have to keep trying to locate a good supplier “natural” bamboo for my bows. Such a shame that Bamboo & Rattan went out of business, their boo was excellent.

RD

[Troy Breeding]

#51326

I used edge grain hickory as backings for years before ever trying bamboo.

Easier to find and works great, just not as classy.

[handirifle]

#57410

+1 on the hickory backing. Great wood, for that purpose, with the grain growing pretty much interlaced, it makes an unbelievably durable backing.

Plus easier to work with than bamboo, at least for me.

[Troy Breeding]

#57942

Getting the glue side of bamboo flat and ready to glue up is really a pain in the ##@.

Hickory can be flattened and ready for use in seconds.

Make sure you get either true edge grain or completely flat grain. Bias grain can lift a splinter.

Troy

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