cane powder measure

[jim m]

some cane was given to me so I made a powder measure for my Fowler. ran into some problems, seems it spits and splinters quite easily. don't know how old the cane is but is very dry. anyone worked with cane and what was your experience. I'm wondering if it might be more workable if it was a little green?

[Randy Hedden]

I have made quite a few cane powder measures and cane pipe stems.  I always let the cane dry out before I start making anything with it.  I have not had any trouble with the cane splitting when making measures or when using them.  I cut the cane with a fine jeweler's saw, but can imagine that cutting the cane with a bigger, coarser saw might give you problems.

Randy Hedden 

[eagle24]

I've cut a good bit of cane making primitive arrows.  I always dry it well and then cut it with a fine saw like Randy said.  I usually use an xacto saw blade in a knife handle and it has always worked well.  Green cane can be cut smoothly with a sharp pair of pruning snips or loping shears.  Works well with smaller cane 3/8" and down.  You can throw a wrap of masking tape around where you will cut it and that will make it less likely to splinter.  A sharp fine cut saw should do well for you if you make light smooth strokes.

[Kermit]

I've used a fine Japanese pullsaw and the masking tape trick, and whittle with a VERY sharp knife--usually NW native-style crooked knives.

[ottawa]

mite try cutting around to scarf? and not strait Thur  sort of like cutting a peace of pipe in a pipe cuter just a thought

[Ionian]

  I also used bamboo for arrows in the past. I always wrapped the bamboo tightly with masking tape and used a power miter saw. Splintering was always minimal and what was there could easily be sanded smooth.

[woodsrunner]

Thought I'd mention this, not that it's important to the discussion, but in the USA there is only one species of native cane: Arundinaria gigantea, commonly called "Switchcane". Ranges from Maryland to Missouri and southward to the Gulf Coast. This is the cane that Daniel Boone encountered in Canetuck! All other cane type plants such as bamboo are exotics from China and southeast Asia. The way to seperate native switchcane from the exotics is to look at the joints in the stem. If the stem is perfectly round at the joint, then it's native. If there is a slight trough or indenture at the joint running up the stem a little way, then it's an exotic bamboo/cane. Is there any value to useless knowledge?

[omark]

Thought I'd mention this, not that it's important to the discussion, but in the USA there is only one species of native cane: Arundinaria gigantea, commonly called "Switchcane". Ranges from Maryland to Missouri and southward to the Gulf Coast. This is the cane that Daniel Boone encountered in Canetuck! All other cane type plants such as bamboo are exotics from China and southeast Asia. The way to seperate native switchcane from the exotics is to look at the joints in the stem. If the stem is perfectly round at the joint, then it's native. If there is a slight trough or indenture at the joint running up the stem a little way, then it's an exotic bamboo/cane. Is there any value to useless knowledge?

probably, if i could remember it when i need it!!  mark