How to darken bamboo or river cane for making Native American Flutes

[@mrbrown6421]

7:20 Propane torch: Jaguar Spots and Rings. Ha! Charlie, you NEVER fail to educate and entertain. Its only proper that your wife does a great job of creating the spots. Women have an enviable finesse that we cave men can only...envy. For more control over those rings, I think I'll mount it on the lathe, and set speed to really SLOW speed while torching it. I used to do that with spindles I turned on the lathe...long ago. Thanks again! North Central Florida.

[@NMranchhand]

Wow! That’s some kind of shrinkage. I’ve done that with softwoods for artists to oil paint over, but haven’t experienced canes, so I’m really glad you showed it. Sometimes, for guitar tops we’ll sprinkle a little gunpowder to give a random sprinkling of light browned spots with small trails here and there. Perhaps it might make an interesting finish on cane.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thanks! 🙂👍

[@kevinski000]

Charlie, thank you for making this video. It was very informative as always. Can't wait to try this.

[@ROY-COLLEY]

That's real cool ,thanks so much for sharing all your tips . So kind of you. Take care ,And May your God go with you.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Thank you

[@woshafer]

So Charlie, I just experienced what happens if you don't heat treat bamboo! I was burning my finger holes and they begun to split. Luckily I caught it right away and used cyanoacrylic to seal the cracks. Now I'll have to file the holes bigger. Glad this was a prototype on scrap. $20 for a torch sounds like a good investment.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

woshafer Experience is the best way to learn! Thank you for watching :)

[@sanmarcosnewslive]

your videos rule!! such an inspirational teacher!

[@jamesgilamonster]

thank you for all the help Charlie,,learn something each time,no matter how we think we know,ill keep watching,,,safe travel s to you and yours

[@carloscordal6831]

Thank you Charlie! great video, and great technique!

[@phillipiacobacci1369]

Thanks Charlie, great information

[@RealBradMiller]

Was making charcoal out of dead rivercane, had a rather large piece with an open end sitting next to my burn pit, a piece of charcoal fell down into it, I thought nothing of it... Then a few minutes later it popped and sent that sucker flying into the air! 😂 Scared the heck out of me. Tried to recreate it, no luck, but it did help remove that rib, though inconsistent.

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Cool story! Thanks for sharing! I've had similar experiences. 😁 Be careful!

[@marknelson9143]

Can this effect if darkening the wood be done by a candle if I don't have the proper equipment for a torch like what have, or is a torch required, and what type of torch is needed? I'm assuming that's a Colman propane tank. Also last but not least, unless I missed it in the vidoe. How do I hear treat bamboo so it doesn't split when I burn the holes?

[@trueraider94]

How long should you allow the bamboo to dry before doing this burning technique?

[@Dad_Brad]

Am I supposed to sand or steel wool the surface of the bamboo/river cane before I torch it? I forgot to but my finished quiver still looks awesome. Thanks for the tips!

[@sepsax]

Thank you Charlie for a great video. Can you please tell me whether the cloth you're wiping the flute with is soaked with water or oil?

[@srockguitar]

what kind of oil do you use on the rag?

[@timsbushcraftandoutdoors7634]

Hi Charlie! I'm very new to your channel and I can't wait to try some of the things you're showing us. There is one thing that's kind of confusing…I just don't know if the cane or bamboo you use is hollowed end to end! Specifically, I noticed that there seems to always be a "link" right where you cut the track and sound hole. Is that link closed or open. I've watched a vid where you made a small 4 hole whistle in your car, I think it was hollow all the way through, right. So it makes me wonder about the larger 5 hole flutes…Can you recommend one of your videos that explains these things? Thanks in advance and love your channel! ATB…Tim

[@timsbushcraftandoutdoors7634]

Well, I found what I was looking for! Your series on making a bamboo flute with a hacksaw and a pocket knife covered what I was wondering about! Thanks again…Tim

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Tim's Bushcraft and Outdoors Hi Tim, glad I could help! :)))

[@itachi58kun]

wow thank you for this nice tutoriel vidéo !

[@DIYAtoZ]

Nice one,, I also Made Two Native American flute from Bamboo And Pvc. I hope you like it. Thanks

[@saptarsibhowmick5870]

Hey Charlie, mind blowing stuff I gotta say. Have a question in my mind. That torch you are using, is that a propane torch? What's its approximate price? And is there any specification for the nozzle?

[@BlueBearFlutes]

Saptarsi Bhowmick Hey Man. You can get the torch head at Home Depot or Lowes for about $10-$15 and the propane bottles are sold at wal-mart for $3-$5 each.

[@saptarsibhowmick5870]

thanx a tonne. really appreciate what you are doing here. I make Indian Transverse Bamboo Flutes known as "Bansuri". Generally we let the bamboo season and turn yellow by itself and we do not burn to achieve a darker colour. But seeing your videos, gave me inspiration to give it a try. Keep up the good work!!!!

[@BlueBearFlutes]

I too have a bansuri that was given to me. Also, we harvest cane when it had reached the end of it's life-cycle as well. I do have a video on that too! Thanks for watching!

[@Tepuiband]

great technique!! :)

[@jamesdelk8926]

Are they sturdy like their Asian cousins are

[@BlueBearFlutes]

They are

[@jamesdelk8926]

@@BlueBearFlutes Cool very cool