There is a simple idea the filipinos use for the bigger pieces and when wanting quite a few, but could be adapted to the smaller ones too. It looks like a juicer, with welded on wedges, with two welded on outside handles. They set the center in the hole at the top of the bamboo, and lift and drop the bamboo on a solid surface to cause the weighted splitter to pass through the Bamboo, making whatever size pieces you want depending on the amount of welded wedges. Then finish off the pass by pulling the handles on down the bamboo. Fast, slick, and not near as much work if your going for quantity.
i have one of those splitting wedges for bamboo.....it does work well and is quite quick. however it doesn't give you any control over the splits. sometimes that's fine, other times it isn't.
Bruce Lambert Also I wonder if one can make those work for small-diameter canes. The smallest tool I saw on Amazon was around 9 cm; my canes are like 5 cm at the most...
there are special hand saws for cutting bamboo without splintering it. if you google bamboo saw, you'll find several on line places that carry them. read about them and they make a selection.........i have one and it works well. hope this helps.
glad it is useful for you! when you get some of your chineses lanterns made, how about putting the process on a youtube video...i think i would be very interested to learn how to make them....very cool stuff! bruce
that is a window glazing knife, it was given to me, i don't know where to buy them. any knife made with a thick metal blade is best, it doesn't need to be very sharp, the splitting is done with the thick metal blade wedging against the two parts of the bamboo, it doesn't cut through them except at the beginning of the split.
Sorry for such a late reply to your question.......but, yes I can, would be happy to show you. Let me know if you have a bamboo pole, or a portion of a pole or what exactly you are attempting to work with. email is kitefighter@yahoo.com
if you start a split with a sharp knife and then insert a smooth piece of metal such as a screw driver shaft, then force that shaft down the split to complete the job, it works great.
No. I think any bamboo, whatever it's state of dryness can be split. Although all of the bamboo I use for my fighter kite spines appears to be dry, not green.
southernbamboo.us/ is one source.......many garden stores have bamboo poles, most of those come from china.....you can search google for a source close to where you live.
Thank you, this was very helpful!! Love Bamboo, so many uses.
thanks!
thanks sargonman for the and info..i hope your comments will further assist those trying to split a bamboo pole.
bruce
There is a simple idea the filipinos use for the bigger pieces and when wanting quite a few, but could be adapted to the smaller ones too. It looks like a juicer, with welded on wedges, with two welded on outside handles. They set the center in the hole at the top of the bamboo, and lift and drop the bamboo on a solid surface to cause the weighted splitter to pass through the Bamboo, making whatever size pieces you want depending on the amount of welded wedges. Then finish off the pass by pulling the handles on down the bamboo. Fast, slick, and not near as much work if your going for quantity.
i have one of those splitting wedges for bamboo.....it does work well and is quite quick. however it doesn't give you any control over the splits. sometimes that's fine, other times it isn't.
Bruce Lambert Also I wonder if one can make those work for small-diameter canes. The smallest tool I saw on Amazon was around 9 cm; my canes are like 5 cm at the most...
there are special hand saws for cutting bamboo without splintering it. if you google bamboo saw, you'll find several on line places that carry them. read about them and they make a selection.........i have one and it works well. hope this helps.
No Slim, the bamboo can be green or partially dry. It is usually easier to work with bamboo that is not quite dry.
glad it is useful for you! when you get some of your chineses lanterns made, how about putting the process on a youtube video...i think i would be very interested to learn how to make them....very cool stuff!
bruce
that is a window glazing knife, it was given to me, i don't know where to buy them. any knife made with a thick metal blade is best, it doesn't need to be very sharp, the splitting is done with the thick metal blade wedging against the two parts of the bamboo, it doesn't cut through them except at the beginning of the split.
You should see the fixture japanese artist made to split bamboos ..immaculate cuttings
i have seen some, quite impressive! they are masters with bamboo
Hi there can you please guide me how to cut old bamboo whose color is turned black
Sorry for such a late reply to your question.......but, yes I can, would be happy to show you. Let me know if you have a bamboo pole, or a portion of a pole or what exactly you are attempting to work with. email is kitefighter@yahoo.com
if you start a split with a sharp knife and then insert a smooth piece of metal such as a screw driver shaft, then force that shaft down the split to complete the job, it works great.
Hi does the bamboo needs to be well dried to be split ?
No. I think any bamboo, whatever it's state of dryness can be split. Although all of the bamboo I use for my fighter kite spines appears to be dry, not green.
Do you know where I might be able to obtain fresh bamboo stalks?
southernbamboo.us/ is one source.......many garden stores have bamboo poles, most of those come from china.....you can search google for a source close to where you live.
We have a little patch of bamboo next to our house actually lol
Want some? I have a come and get it policy.