Belegarth

i have bamboo that that grows in my back yard and i was wondering with all this talk about different cores if someone is actively using bamboo. i know that fiberglass of bandshop is probably better but i can get bamboo for free so my question is; whats the lifspan of a bamboo core, flex ratio, and overall durability.

The only succesful application of bamboo cores I am aware of is in spears. Any bamboo core sturdy enough for a swung weapon will probably be too bulky to be practical.

guy in my realm made a bamboo red recently, cracked real quick. if its thick enough you can make a decent spear (which another guy has done) but wrap the core to make it a bit more solid, and don't make slashing weapons. Honestly fiberglass or bandshoppe poles are your best bets (depending on what you're making)

Rumor has it that the bamboo spear I made for the Hawaii group a couple of years ago is still in one piece, with pretty much weekly use/wear (I use fairly beastly bamboo though).

I also recently made a bamboo cored javelin; came in under weight and seems to be holding up fine (I dread every time someone grapples near it; waiting to see how long till it gets stepped on in a melee).

I exclusively use bamboo spears, never will use anything else. I have one that was an 8' amtgard red pole for years before i got ahold of it, and it still its really * stiff and sturdy.

Bamboo breaks at its natural joints.
I've broken bamboo spear by hitting them at 90degrees AND when blocking a blue weapon the one time I tried using one.
You "can" use bamboo that last, I hear, but I have never seen it work for long.
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Forkbeard wrote:Bamboo breaks at its natural joints.
I've broken bamboo spear by hitting them at 90degrees AND when blocking a blue weapon the one time I tried using one.
You "can" use bamboo that last, I hear, but I have never seen it work for long.
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I know of a bamboo glaive that has been in this game for over 12 years. Its swung by a guy who wrecks folk. Like you said they can exist... its normally the odd ball that lasts though and most break pretty quick like.

I'm bringing some out to chaos you can play with fork

I've got a 26 oz bamboo minired that's been around for a couple years, though it doesn't see weekly use or anything. Made it through Geddon 2010 being loaned out to various fighters each day, though.

It really depends on the piece. Mine was ~3/4" diameter with nearly 1/4" thick walls and was supposed to be hardened (got it from some Amtgarders who were using the stuff for warpoles).

Arrakis wrote:It really depends on the piece. Mine was ~3/4" diameter with nearly 1/4" thick walls and was supposed to be hardened (got it from some Amtgarders who were using the stuff for warpoles).

I miss that stuff! great speed poles.