Mississippi calcutta experiment...

[Captain Michael Buffington]

never tried to use wild bamboo to make gaffs. We used calcutta in cali and it was a great gaff material. I'm going to dry it before I seal and wrap it. Any ideas or suggestions appreciated. I know how to make the gaff. I do it all the time. What I'm not sure about is how to prep the cane.

Mike

[clt_capt]

I've heard that heat curing - Basically running the whole thing over a fire makes a big difference in the hardness...

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I've heard that heat curing - Basically running the whole thing over a fire makes a big difference in the hardness...

and how do you suggest I "warm" it evenly? That sounds like something I could crew up really goodI think a kiln might work better, but I dont have an 8' kiln handy

Mike

[WAHOONBOX]

SUSPEND THE BAMBOO POLES OVER A SMOKING FIRE...THAT'S WHAT I DID AS A KID TO MAKE MY CANE POLES

THIS WILL TAKE THE GREEN OUT OF THEM....THEN I COATED THEM WITH A VARNISH (HARDENER)

[Captain Michael Buffington]

make as big difference?

Mike

[Captain Michael Buffington]

haha

DON'T BURN DOWN THE FARM WHILE DOING THIS

Mike

[Robja]

Hey Mike,

Wouldn't it be alot easier just to go and buy you a cane pole and cut the top part off and make your gaff? That way you won't get burned getting beered up smoking poles over an open fire.

[Captain Michael Buffington]

thats cheating

Mike

And I don't drink beer anymore...remember?

[clt_capt]

and how do you suggest I "warm" it evenly? That sounds like something I could crew up really goodI think a kiln might work better, but I dont have an 8' kiln handy

Mike

I could suggest a way to warm it evenly, but you wouldn't enjoy it...

Easiest way would be to get a propane turkey cooker - fire it up and run your bamboo over it - turning it as you go. If you got really clever, you could make a rack to support the bamboo while you turn it...

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I could suggest a way to warm it evenly, but you wouldn't enjoy it...

Easiest way would be to get a propane turkey cooker - fire it up and run your bamboo over it - turning it as you go. If you got really clever, you could make a rack to support the bamboo while you turn it...

how about a torch? Like a map torch?

Mike