Using Bamboo

**Aurelius95** · 03-03-2008, 10:53 AM

I bought a house two years ago and I have a nice patch of bamboo in the back yard. It's creeping out and so I've decided to trim it back. The question I have is "what do I do with it?". My son (7) is interested in making a lean-to, which I expect wouldn't be too hard. Thoughts?

Also, from other posts I've read, it would be fun to make a spear from bamboo, or a fishing pole.

Thanks
A95

**Rick** · 03-03-2008, 01:52 PM

Here's a link to the American Bamboo Society. They have tons of ideas for bamboo uses.

http://www.americanbamboo.org/Genera...sMaterial.html

Bamboo shoots contain pretty large amounts of cyanogens, which can cause cyanide poisoning. So you want to make certain you cook them if you plan to eat or can the shoots.

You can make a walking stick and use the top hollow section to store survival gear in.

**canid** · 03-03-2008, 02:22 PM

a lean to would not nessecarily be too difficult for a 7 year old, particularly if you can help or supervise. that's about the age i started learning to make wilderness shelters, and gt my first folding knife and hatchet. at that time, i was only permitted to them it when my father was there, and within a few months, he was confident of my ability use the unsupervised.

and uhm, rick: how would one can the shoots without cooking them?

as for other uses: what diameters of bamboo are we talking? they make fine cane poles as is, and strips of the larger diameter wood, planed, chamfered, glued and wrapped into a round, hexaonal or octagonal sectioned bundle, then varnished or otherwise sealed once the glue has set up can make one of the finer and more elegant fishing pole rods ever invented. i used to have such a rod that was about 40 years old.

**Aurelius95** · 03-03-2008, 03:06 PM

Our bamboo has a diameter that ranges from 1" to about 4-5". I think we'll plan a survival shelter. Rick, I liked the idea of using the hollow top to store survival items. I'll have to look into making a cane pole as well.

I appreciate your insight.

**canid** · 03-03-2008, 03:19 PM

cool. also, bamboo of that large diameter, split into thirds makes good shingles for shelters, outbuildings, etc. similar in application to spanish tile.

large diameter bamboo makes nice boxes for storage of small items, pots for primitive cooking, steamers for use over a fire, etc.

**canid** · 03-03-2008, 03:23 PM

in the spirit of 'there's little you can't do with bamboo', it's use for building scaffolds in so much of asia is not limited by the size of the project:

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**Rick** · 03-03-2008, 04:22 PM

I give up, Canid, how would you?

**trax** · 03-03-2008, 04:48 PM

so, in case you're looking to unload bamboo shoots, I have this pet panda....

**Aurelius95** · 03-03-2008, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by trax

so, in case you're looking to unload bamboo shoots, I have this pet panda....

The Atlanta Zoo has at least two pandas and were looking for donations last year. I called in my information and they sent a team to look it over. It was the right species that they eat, but the zoo never came to pick it up. I'm tired of waiting, so it looks like it's time to start chopping!

**WildGoth** · 03-03-2008, 05:35 PM

i wish i had bamboo growing here

**Aurelius95** · 03-04-2008, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by Sam

If you take a piece of bamboo and split it length ways, next take one half and shave it with a knife. (scrape it for tinder) Then place one half on the ground round side down braced with rocks or whatever then use the other half like a saw (cross ways to the piece on the ground with the tinder inside the bottom piece. the friction will ignite the shavings .

If you ever saw the movie Rescue Dawn (wouldn't recommend it though), early in the movie after the pilot is captured by the VC, he watches them make fire the way you describe. I'll definitely have to try it. I would assume that the bamboo has to be dried out first.

Here's a link to making/using a "firesaw"

http://wildwoodsurvival.com/survival...saw/index.html

**dilligaf2u2** · 03-04-2008, 08:35 AM

My grand father taught me how to make cane fly rods from bamboo. When I was in the vacation land of the east, I sent about 100 14' sections back to him (your tax dollars at work). He picked out about 10 that he considered good for rods.

Have you looked at the prices of cane fly rods these days. The equipment needed to make one would cost little compared to the cost of a cane fly rod these days.

Is this Bamboo or Raton? Hollow core or solid core? I would love a 5 ft length of Raton. Make a great defense weapon and or walking stick.

Don

**Aurelius95** · 03-04-2008, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by dilligaf2u2

Is this Bamboo or Raton? Hollow core or solid core? I would love a 5 ft length of Raton. Make a great defense weapon and or walking stick.

It's definitely a hollow center. I'll look around and see what species I have and get back with you on that.

**bulrush** · 03-04-2008, 10:05 AM

I found and purchased some bamboo that survives the Michigan winters here. It is a clumping type, however the canes don't get real wide (only about 1/2 inch) and they get about 6 feet tall. So not much use for anything but decorative.

However the leaves sound just like rain when the wind rustles them.

What you really want is the giant Moso bamboo. That's the stuff used for building. But I don't think it survives freezing so will only survive in the southern US.

**Tony uk** · 03-04-2008, 12:54 PM

Use it as a steemer, Get one bit near a closeing, The other end open, Put in some water, What you want to cook then stuff opening in with NON POSIONUS, Eddible vegitation and put it over the fire untill cooked, Useing a knife split it down the middles and enjoy

**Beo** · 03-04-2008, 01:47 PM

Bamboo is best used in 4 foot sections and soaked in water to beat your 16 year old son with when he comes on here posting all about you.

You listening Trooper.

**Tony uk** · 03-04-2008, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Beowulf65

Bamboo is best used in 4 foot sections and soaked in water to beat your 16 year old son with when he comes on here posting all about you.

You listening Trooper.

I can imagine you as Judge Dred

**trax** · 03-04-2008, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Beowulf65

Bamboo is best used in 4 foot sections and soaked in water to beat your 16 year old son with when he comes on here posting all about you.

You listening Trooper.

I knew there was a reason I liked you, by the way, leave Trooper the h*ll alone or we'll really start prying information out of him, LOL.

**crashdive123** · 03-04-2008, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Beowulf65

Bamboo is best used in 4 foot sections and soaked in water to beat your 16 year old son with when he comes on here posting all about you.

You listening Trooper.

Trooper: The best defence for you on this is to stop posting stuff about your pops. Therefore we all look forward to the PM's that we'll be receiving from you.