Tonkin Bamboo & Other Bamboo species

[smallstreams.co.za]

Some links to those looking to acquire Tonkin Cane in a hurry ...

http://www.kinling.com.cn/products.h...e%20Fly%20Rods

http://cgi.ebay.com/A-TONKIN-CANE-x-...item19bcd73f39

And just a nice read .... http://www.wagnerrods.com/cane.html

[smallstreams.co.za]

Yeah it's fine to let go there, it's when it comes in here that worries me. Fumigation, plant products, etc etc....customs may have issues.
That's why I wonder how Stephen does it...or where he actually gets his Tonkin from. UPS? Fedex? Or maybe a specialised Freight Forwarder??

Erica will answer me tomorrow, so hopefully we'll know. I'm pretty sure they have sent culms to SA before. I'll also ask a friend from Parys who builds bamboo where he got his from - he imported afaik.

[Michael]

Erica will answer me tomorrow, so hopefully we'll know. I'm pretty sure they have sent culms to SA before. I'll also ask a friend from Parys who builds bamboo where he got his from - he imported afaik.

Yeah, as I said it seems any other bamboo species is okay. I'm getting some from an importer next week. 3.5m x 80mm dia. But it's not Tonkin.
There's a few guys in S.A. with these types of bamboo.
But Tonkin...different story.

I think on the GW site he mentions...is the bamboo really that expensive? ($80 a culm).
Not really...if you consider a guy can build up two rods out of that one culm, and a good builder can charge between $,1000 and $2,000 on ave per rod. So that $40 per rod is minimal!! So why try and skimp on the actual bamboo? Get the best tonkin you can and be done with it.

That's true yes...but I'd like to practice...and I AINT practicing on real tonkin that cost me that much!!

Garrison trashed most of his first attempts in his first year of building. Hells bells, I can't afford to trash most of my first builds if it's tonkin...

[Michael]

That's what I'm talking about....

[smallstreams.co.za]

From Erica - a really lovely lady btw.

I have actually shipped several packages of cane to South Africa at full length and they have never been turned around. No permits or paper work other than the regular customs form. There is always a risk sending something like that so far across the world but it has always worked out in the past. The shipping expense is horrible but if it’s the only way to get the stuff you just need to build that into the price of the rod. Shipping alone for a 3 pack is about $140. If you are worried about shipping the full 6’ culms I can cut them for 3 pc rods which gets them closer to the 42” mark. I can ship 2 culms cut for 3pc rods in one box. Shipping for that would be about $100.

[pieterkriel]

I am no expert on this but just a thought, speak to Ricko FFU about it, I know he brings in bamboo, I have even seen some sitting in the shop a while ago.

[freestone]

I have ordered a couple of times from Andy Royer. Shipping cost effectively doubles the cost of each culm. The first batch miraculously simply got cleared by customs and I had to collect it from their depot. The second batch I had to pay R600 odd for a clearing agent to clear the stuff. It was then delivered to my door. I was informed if I order too often or frequently I would have to register as an importer.

I am sure there must be a local bamboo that would be good enough to build a rod. I personally stick to Tonkin because it is tried and tested and the culms are fairly consistent.

If I had more of the stuff I would gladly offer up a culm or two, but I seriously want to avoid having to order again for as long as possible. I really don't want to have to register as an importer

steve

[Korrie]

The problem with the local bamboo, is that it is not as straight as the imported ones.

If you visit or have a look at the photos etc from the bamboo forest in China etc, that one thing that you notice is how straight the bamboo is, when in the bamboo forest.

Our bamboo, grows in different directions etc.
The nodes are also "bigger"

The bamboo forest in Asia, are managed, like our Pine forest etc in certain areas.

Why waste so much time on a local piece of bamboo, to save R400 or R500 and it might not be right.

[Michael]

I have ordered a couple of times from Andy Royer. Shipping cost effectively doubles the cost of each culm. The first batch miraculously simply got cleared by customs and I had to collect it from their depot. The second batch I had to pay R600 odd for a clearing agent to clear the stuff. It was then delivered to my door. I was informed if I order too often or frequently I would have to register as an importer.

I am sure there must be a local bamboo that would be good enough to build a rod. I personally stick to Tonkin because it is tried and tested and the culms are fairly consistent.

If I had more of the stuff I would gladly offer up a culm or two, but I seriously want to avoid having to order again for as long as possible. I really don't want to have to register as an importer

steve

I am registered as an importer.

Maybe we should do a bulk order of some 6' Tonkin culms, and save on the shipping, etc etc etc? Who's game?

I have not spoken to Ricko yet, will also do so.

[canesplitter]

I have a ton of bamboo and am getting more in. If you do not mind waiting untill around May next year when our stuff comes out of storage, then I can get some to you. It is bamboo from Andy from a friend over here (Switzerland) that has way too much. Cost wise will be around R400 for single culms and R350 / culm for bundles of ten

Nick