10 Years of Bow Building With Bamboo Taught Me This...

[@pritishbhardwaj]

Bro I just graduated from my high school this year. I love bows and I love your videos on how to make them. As soon as I graduated from my high school I wanted to make a bow from the knowledge I gained watching your numerous videos. After that I built myself a bow with bamboo as it's top material and some other wood as a base. It took me 7 days to fully build it cause I don't have any power tools I have to use hand tools like cutting and sanding. It has so much power that every time I put on the bowstring it breaks (i make them myself, i tried using different materials)the last one stayed for 2 months though. I make arrows from the grass called Indiangrass. It's stems are straight and somewhat sturdy so you just have to add the fletching. Now I'm preparing for my university exam and left the bow at home.

[@seanweir7311]

Where is the string breaking?

[@pritishbhardwaj]

@@seanweir7311 it breaks generally from where the loop starts or sometimes middle

[@strongroyp]

this video came at a perfect time, just ordered a bamboo bow backing for my red oak bow i’m making

[@robdiesel1579]

Are you stalking me?? I just received my bamboo bow backing from shatterproof around 5 days ago and I'm also using red oak for the belly 😅 I'm going to use Varathane Cognac as my stain.

[@eclipsearchery9387]

Not the best choice. Red oak is very strong in tension but low on compression resistance. Get a board with decent grain and it doesn't need to be backed. Bamboo is too 'strong' for the red oak belly and you will get a lot of set. Better to back a poor grained red oak board with maple/ ash/ linen, rawhide or silk.

[@VSci_]

If you make the bamboo really thin it isn't a problem. Or if you trap the backing it also works. The problem with going thin on the bamboo is you start running out of width once the edges are paper thin...but combine that with trapping of the red oak and it makes a nice bow. I usually do a 1/8" thick bamboo backing (tapering to 1/16 at the tips), with a 1.75" red oak belly that is trapped to the boo. I also heat treat my red oak before gluing and the finished product almost performs as well as my osage bows.

[@jonathanp___________3606]

The sound is amazing. The way the workshop sounds interact with the music is breathtaking.

[@ethomson0]

Have you ever tried making a bow out of Rattan? It's similar to Bamboo, but it is solid core rather than hollow. We use it for martial arts (Escrima etc.) There is a local supplier where I live who can provide Rattan with the skin on, or off. I prefer skin on. They have 7 foot long poles up to 2 inches in diameter. I don't know how to make a bow, but I'd be very keen to see you tinker with it.

[@jetshadowcrow]

I can say that seeing someone who makes something they enjoy is probably the biggest thing. I mak many different things out of metals and/or leather. It is very interesting to see another craft with so much science behind the art. Thank you.

[@jacobcronk2785]

These videos are great for my morning workout. I'm trying my hand at making a long bow, thanks to your videos.

[@charlespartak2435]

Building my wife a 60 inch bamboo bow right now. Local bamboo too. Made the string this morning , 57 inch. Ive done leather work for years and the string i use to stitch it actually bow string material so i wound it on a swivel jig and served it out with the same. Should last a very long time. Redwood grip / arrow shelf. 5 minute epoxy to join materials... i tried contact adhesive and it just separated with a trial stringing up..cleaned that out , sanded, reglued in epoxy and In clamps now. Should be ready to try in an hour .

[@malinko35]

You make bow making look almost easy.

[@robdiesel1579]

That's where skill comes into play

[@malinko35]

@@robdiesel1579 no doubt

[@robinemiliolandaverde9756]

Yes it is easy in part but getting a well made bow is another thing, my first and second bow that I made broke since I made the center weak now my third bow well I did it quite well although rustic but good, all made of bamboo only, I also managed to make a bamboo crossbow, I also made the rope by hand, I didn't buy it

[@malinko35]

@@robinemiliolandaverde9756 Well, it's easy and not easy IMO. There's so many things I had to learn from trial and error process. Definitely an acquired skill.

[@Couponuser16]

There's a channel called BambooArchery who is a bowyer and has videos on the mathematical minimum GPP for different bow designs and the math behind stacking and when to expect it based on the trigonometry of the bow and how much it bends. Think you'd get a kick out of it if you haven't already checked him out

[@seanweir7311]

Hey thanks for this.

[@Couponuser16]

@@seanweir7311 No problem. It's a very interesting topic

[@jakehenry-c9q]

I happen to have a 72" longbow, made from hickory belly, bamboo backed, 50# draw, it holds a bit of string follow, but still shoots true, I've had it bout 16 years now, still would drop a whitetail, shakyjake out.

[@dennisclapp7527]

Great stuff. Thanks Kramer

[@zdog90210]

I can't wait to make my first bow, just saving up to get a stave and now I need to save a bit more for the bamboo strip!

[@fulcrum789]

You can do it. I broke 3 bows before I made one that worked. Go slow and take your time. Be the guy who makes it work the first time

[@SAS-R2]

I don't know from where the bow Maker of U.S gets there bamboo from. But there is a type of bamboo which is very strong.Mostly found in South East Asia People of Thailand, and Vietnam used this bamboo to make Crossbow.

[@ivatrainghiem1180]

Đó là cây Luồng, một loại cây thuộc họ cây tre

[@islandmanbows3746]

I used bamboo flooring as a backing before. Worked perfect. I put it on with epoxy and it made a great bow.

[@samfulks4896]

Really good info.. thank you Krammer. Will let you know how my bow turns out.

[@m.pearce3273]

Has anyone every though to use hemp which actually grows faster and no knots

[@stephenballard3759]

This has been done as well as linen and a few other vegetable fibres.

[@seanweir7311]

For strings?

[@stephenballard3759]

I have made a lot of bows with laminated bamboo on the belly. The vertically laminated stuff was the best. Like bamboo action wood

[@dragonsage6909]

Thanks! Great info.. ok.. I'm off to the shop to sand and tiller.. :)

[@2008abba]

Have you ever used iron wooden in bow making? I only ever made a couple bows. And I ended up sticking with white oak. But I have this piece of iron wood I wanted to test. I should mention I was most doing crossbows limbs. Did I've long bow and one laminated recurce.

[@Morfabici]

Muchas gracias a ti, Kramer. Desde Granada, Spain.

[@chrisclarke3670]

Very interesting and helpful.

[@atrusdan2170]

Interesting video you made, and I have a little challenge for you, and that is to watch how Japanese bows are made and try to make one yourself.

[@benpriestman4015]

more great info!!!!!!! Do you ever heat treat the bamboo? i find by going through this process you can literally transform the bamboo into a far superior material which takes allot less set and also has better rigidity. Love to hear your take on it!!!! Keep them coming and blessings and light from England

[@jasonthulen431]

I love the content. Great information for someone like me just starting into bow making.❤❤❤

[@northernarchery8592]

All of my performance English Longbows have a bamboo backing. There is a guy in the UK who made all bamboo English Longbows, where he had the bamboo at 90 degrees for the belly. Very very fast bows and a fantastic cast. They are highly prized in the clout shooting world.

[@Shane_Bozelie]

The trial you use during tillering, to check the curve. Is it something you bought or something that you bought? Did you already have a video about how to check that curve?

[@RuanFourieStix]

Hey Kramer! Love your work. Back in 2021 I got into your videos and after watching your beginner bow making video I decided to try making a longbow for myself. I finished the stave and the handle, and then life got in the way. I would like to finish my bow, but I'm wondering if the stave will have dried out too much. Is there a time frame on how long a stave can stand before tillering starts? Is there anything I need to do to the stave before I continue completing the bow? You make really cool videos and I really appreciate the effort you put into each video, keeping it simple enough for even a noob like me to understand.

[@tetsumcneil1545]

When I am making traditional materials bows for children under 16 years, I always use bamboo on the outward face, nothing puts a kid off the sport faster than a period materials bow exploding. Bamboo makes sure that even the worst failure, that just won't happen.

[@karenmurray3098]

love your work Kramer

[@TheLonghunterBowyer]

Great video

[@donaldbuckner2935]

I have a bamboo bow that I love. It is a "Boo Bow" by the late and great Tom Parsons. It has bamboo backing with the nodes slightly sanded but still raised, and a bamboo core with fiberglass belly. It is a Hill style profile with a small amount of set back (which results in a slight string follow after long stringing). It is 64" long and is 57# @ 27" draw. I have taken several game animals with the bow but it has always been too heavy for me and now is about 15 # too heavy. I would like to make a duplicate bow but 15 # lighter. Your video was very helpful in my quest. I was told my bamboo was tempered with heat. Have you tried this and what were your results?

[@demoninjadsm6369]

Slowly making my 10th bow. 9 broke sofar lol break 10 make 10 repete till make 6 of 10 that dont break. is all I want to succeed love your videos

[@Timelesstere]

It would be interesting how the higo yumi style arrangement would perform in that type of bow.

[@dangee]

Great content, love your videos man. Many thanks

[@gregtessmer5310]

When is the mountain bow coming out?

[@MaksymMikulski]

You should see how japanese Yumi are made. Those are true masterpiece of bamboo bow.

[@P.Trim69]

Yes Sir Nice

[@davidlanders9005]

On the hickory bow, where did you splice the bamboo?

[@jhallack7491]

Loving the content...

[@fulcrum789]

Not weird. Awesome we are not alone

[@ErnieHigginson-vv6vh]

So would jarrah work for the belly with bamboo backing

[@jonaszaduski788]

i tried a full bambu bow, and it bends funny near the nots... it works, somehow, but tillering is very hard when its not simetrical. On my second bow, one hinge apeared, after a good amount of tillering, when i was thinking it was enough... some advice how to corret that?

[@ErnieHigginson-vv6vh]

So I made a bamboo backed bow and in my hast left the bend in the belly wood now it is glued up I was wondering if I can steam the offending limb to take out the bend.

[@stephenballard3759]

Every time I have ever flattened, the nodes on bamboo even standing them flat on a crowned.Bamboo back that bow broke at the nodes. I've also seen a lot of bows that were very good made with bamboo backs.And bamboo bellies. Including a ton of historical designs. I just sent someone a laminated.Bow made in the late forty's or early fifties in Okinawa for US servicemen that had a bamboo belly. My first five or seven bamboo backed bows had bamboo flooring on the belly. It makes a great belly. I'm so confused. What wizardry are you concocting here?

[@seanweir7311]

I want to make a fiber glass and bamboo bow. Is this possible? 100% bamboo laminated to a block then shaved down.

[@derekgreene3027]

I gotta question for ya Kramer that I've always been extremely curious about can a bow be made from a tiki torch? I mean they're bamboo so...

[@XenFPV]

Check out Meadowlark Adventure Gear if you're not aware of him. He's made a lot of really nice bamboo backed bows and seems to really know what he's talking about.

[@davidlanders9005]

what about Maple backed with Bamboo?

[@mickusable]

You didn’t say the ring company sponsoring you today made rings that change colour coz yours has gone from black to white 😂

[@markh5889]

Always fun and informative to watch your videos. Thanks. If I wasn't so busy/lazy I would try making my own. I have a large woodshop full of tools. Ah well, not today. You are an inspiration though.

[@TheForestWolf]

Kramer I would love to see a video on how to make a sight that would clamp or somehow attach to a self bow without damaging it.

[@bikerfirefarter7280]

Rings, D'oh!. Chains, D'oh! Loose cloting, D'oh! Just, D'oh! Engage brain, yes!

[@guss1470]

i don't think the bamboo is spliced... its the knot.

[@zachariasbjorngren1552]

Watching with headphones, the last part about the nodeless backing you spoke only in my left ear. That was hella annoying fyi

[@andrewbraithwaite1365]

If you were to laminate the bamboo yourself with proper boatbuilders scarf joints at the end junctions it should be far more even.

[@arielzuniga5156]

Muy buenos tus videos lo único es que no das medidas y de tus arcos no libreje

[@scatterbrain9490]

Good to know, I wouldn't want to get bamboozled

[@VSci_]

Don't sand or flatten the nodes down on the bamboo! It violates the fibers and it will eventually break there. It is just as easy to decorate with skins. My proof is every bamboo bow that i got too vigorous with the sander with had splinters lift where i violated the nodes. Dont do it. Edit: you may be able to get away with this on a bow with a lighter draw weight or is generally a low stress design. But i still wouldn't do it.

[@stephenballard3759]

It's wild that I used to talk to you online, over 20 twenty years ago about this very subject on the Leatherwall traditional archery forum. Some of my first bows made were from bamboo flooring backed with raw bamboo. Boofloo, it came to be known. I remember people trying to use laminated.Bamboo for a backing and not having workout very well. Back then anyway.

[@marksteven6116]

And it's a weed weed are good

[@ronsierdsma3172]

From one wierdo to another,,good vid 👍

[@phillipporter2628]

Hey, we are all weird in our own way. Be a proud, weirdo man.

[@stephenballard3759]

I have no idea how the heck you're getting away with flattening nodes on bamboo. That is an absolute dogmatic do not do.

[@izzyplusplusplus1004]

Lamination! Glue and smash.

[@VSci_]

Exactly. He just didn't shoot it enough for it to break yet. Don't do this folks! You are violating the working fibers of the bamboo.

[@AllegraPersephone]

It looks like WW3 could break out any moment. What would be the best bow to get to stand a chance of surviving, that could obviously be used for hunting in a survival situation if desperate. What kind of weight for someone who doesn't really have muscle built up for pulling the string and holding it for long, but strong enough that a well placed shot could incapacitate an armed deer that invaded my forest.

[@ncc1709]

i watch, because knowing how to make a bow could be the way to survive, if power hungry idiots keep geting into power

[@TEXAN42]

mr ammons sir : have you read the book wrote about howard hill and how he built his out of bamboo it is very interesting due to differrent woods but only one type of bamboo from china ????????