Tonkin Bamboo & Other Bamboo species

[Ricko]

Michael, the best test is the breaking test which will show you the quality of the power fibres

Guys,
When you break Tonkin BAMBOO , it will have a much more corse power fibre than most other species of BAMBOO. Break a piece of local bamboo and have a look , it is nearly like VELVET.

I am not a guy for formulas and all those , of course i keep to the taper chart when planing a BAMBOO rod. I found the " Stiffer " the fibers the quicker the rod.

I would definitely not use any thing else but Tonkin , even for practicing. What i actually wanted to say , Why reinvent the Wheel ? Tonkin has been used for nearly a century and up to date nothing better has been found.

Jammer vir die engels grammer mistakes , maar n paar Castle's en Engels gaan nie goed saam nie.

Mike , a few books to get hold of:
LOVELY REED, 2ND EDITION - All one need to know about Bamboo.
a Masters Guide - Garrison/Carmicheal ( NO 1)
SECRETS OF THE BAMBOO FLY ROD - Ray Gould
FUNDAMENTALS OF BUILDING A BAMBOO FLY-ROD
HANDCRAFTING BAMBOO FLY RODS - Cattanach

[Michael]

Mike , a few books to get hold of:
LOVELY REED, 2ND EDITION - All one need to know about Bamboo.
a Masters Guide - Garrison/Carmicheal ( NO 1)
SECRETS OF THE BAMBOO FLY ROD - Ray Gould
FUNDAMENTALS OF BUILDING A BAMBOO FLY-ROD
HANDCRAFTING BAMBOO FLY RODS - Cattanach

I agree...why change from Tonkin to something substandard?
I know why...guys are stingy to cough up for the real thing.

Ricko, I have Ray Gould's book "Constructing Cane Rods", and the "bamboo bible" (a Master's Guide) by Garrison & Carmichael, as well as "Fundamentals of Building a Bamboo Fly Rod" by Maurer/Elser.
I'll check out the other Ray Gould one you mention, and Cattanach's book too.
Suppose one can never read enough about the subject.

[ArcherFish]

Hi Graig...what's the "breaking test", how does it work?

M. If you brak low quality bamboo it makes a straight break, no shaggy fibres.
Tonkin bamboo will break with very long shards and may not break completely.
The stronger the power fibres the longer the broken shreds will be.

BTW, John Betts has a good book called 'making Strip built rods' (I have stock of course). He builds rods out of wood but like you would build a boo rod with hex pieces. He has had good results from woods like close grained oregon pine (douglas fir). The pieces are not tapered but ar level, they are then tapered in a lather using a sandpaper clapper board.

[smallstreams.co.za]

BTW, John Betts has a good book called 'making Strip built rods'

Brilliant book. The pencil sketches are simply amazing!!