Mark Meckes
23rd July 2001, 04:42 AM
Comparative Evaluation:
A straight forward way to determine the strength of bamboo is to bend and break a piece and observe the break, and fiber content within.
This can be used as a guideline for evaluating species based on their inherited properties relative to specific growing conditions, and to help further grade the bamboo materials for it's appropriate uses.
There is quite a difference in the quality of branches (and the pole), that has had access to sunlight, compared to poles that have grown in deep shade.
Removing branches off of a bamboo pole using hand tools provides a valuable exercise and insight into the quality and characteristics of the material, by observing the effort it takes to remove each branch according to it's strength.
Also visual observation,( signs of aging and coloration), audio senses , (tapping the bamboo), and feeling the weight, stoutness or flexibility of the bamboo provides a direct approach in determining the quality of a piece of bamboo.
Using the same principles to compare different bamboo species, provides additional insight into the variability of this diverse group of plants.
And all of this needs to considered based on the actual plant location, and specific growing conditions, and the `events and interactions that the pole lived through during it's life, AND as to how the material has been processed and managed from post-harvest time till it reaches your hands for use.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/508/thumbs/1Mvc-141f.jpg
In this photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=624), the top branch sample, with the fibers showing, is the stronger piece.
The lower branch sample was easily bent, showing minimal fiber development.
It may have either been an immature or lower branch that didn't have enough light to develop sufficiently.
Mark
A straight forward way to determine the strength of bamboo is to bend and break a piece and observe the break, and fiber content within.
This can be used as a guideline for evaluating species based on their inherited properties relative to specific growing conditions, and to help further grade the bamboo materials for it's appropriate uses.
There is quite a difference in the quality of branches (and the pole), that has had access to sunlight, compared to poles that have grown in deep shade.
Removing branches off of a bamboo pole using hand tools provides a valuable exercise and insight into the quality and characteristics of the material, by observing the effort it takes to remove each branch according to it's strength.
Also visual observation,( signs of aging and coloration), audio senses , (tapping the bamboo), and feeling the weight, stoutness or flexibility of the bamboo provides a direct approach in determining the quality of a piece of bamboo.
Using the same principles to compare different bamboo species, provides additional insight into the variability of this diverse group of plants.
And all of this needs to considered based on the actual plant location, and specific growing conditions, and the `events and interactions that the pole lived through during it's life, AND as to how the material has been processed and managed from post-harvest time till it reaches your hands for use.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/508/thumbs/1Mvc-141f.jpg
In this photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=624), the top branch sample, with the fibers showing, is the stronger piece.
The lower branch sample was easily bent, showing minimal fiber development.
It may have either been an immature or lower branch that didn't have enough light to develop sufficiently.
Mark