All about bamboo wood craft

Bamboo Propagation

Jun 25

Posted by guroofarms in Agroforestry, Anatomy, Species | No Comments

India has about 1200 odd bamboo species- out of which the commercially important ones have been prioritized by the Government, under the National Bamboo Mission.

As a farmer and a bamboo-entrepreneur based in Uttarakhand, totally solid species, also called the Iron bamboo are of special interest.

Currently nursery works are underway - to cater to our planting targets of next year.

Bamboo Multiplication is primarily done by rhizomes, Old bamboo plant is dug out, the culms separated with a bit of root-stock in each, which are then planted out.

This year- we have made our own nurseries using the rhizome method of the following species

Thick walled Bambusa Balcooa- with about a hole of about 1 cm dia
Thick Walled Nutaans- with about 1 cm hole
TOTALLY SOLID NUTAANS-- 2 stains
TOTALLY SOLID STOCKSII- 3 stains
Oliverii
Guadua ( experimental)

Tags: Bamboo, Iron Bamboo, Manga, Oliverii, Propagation, Rhizome, Stocksii

Bambus Gehstock Wanderstock Spazierstock Knuppel

Mar 26

Posted by guroofarms in Agroforstwirtschaft, Bambus-Kinderzimmer, Bambusanbau, Bambusprodukte | No Comments

Kürzlich hatten wir einen Bambusbaumschulspezialisten, Mr. Abhijeet, der uns von Agartala, Tripura aus besuchte. Er ist spezialisiert auf Oliveri Bamboo (Ein Eisen Bambus) und wir wurden gute Freunde. Wir hatten viel zu besprechen - in Bezug auf diesen seltenen Eisen-Bambus, seine Vermehrungstechniken und Anwendungen für die Herstellung von Gehstöcken und Wanderstöcken für den internationalen Markt

Iron Bamboo ist ein ausgezeichnetes Material, um Wanderstöcke und Spazierstöcke herzustellen. Europäer und Amerikaner lieben Iron Bamboo für ihre Spazierstöcke (bambus gehstock wanderstock knuppel) .

Diese seltene Art, die auch Calcutta Bamboo genannt wird, ist fast vollständig solide und dennoch flexibel genug, um sich als Rohmaterial für handgefertigte Canes, Bo Staff, Escrima und Kali Sticks zu empfehlen.

Dr. Salil Tewari, ein Agronom und Bambusexperte von internationalem Ruf, derzeit ein Senior Professor at GBPUAT, besucht kürzlich auch unser Bambusetum. Wir haben Bambus seit einigen Jahren als Rohstoff und als Rohmaterial studiert, seit Shisham (Indischer Palisander) auf der C.I.T.E.S. Liste stand. Wir haben schließlich 4 Genotypen von Bambus domestiziert und in die engere Auswahl genommen, darunter 2 der Eisenbambusarten, die wir für Terai-Bedingungen als geeignet befunden haben.

Dr. Salil Tewari ist ein Ozean des Wissens. Ich war damit beschäftigt, Dr. Tewaris Weisheiten zu sammeln, um zu lernen, wie man die Bambusmission in Uttarakhand in den Griff bekommt. Er war glücklich, Stocksii und Oliverii Bambuspflanzen (Iron Bamboo Species) zu sehen, die in Terai domestiziert waren und in unserem Bambushaus gut abschnitten. Wir diskutierten den Abstand, kulturelle Praktiken und vegetative Vermehrungstechniken für die Entwicklung dieser seltenen Sorten.

http://bamboowoodcraft.com/products/bambus-wanderstock-gehstock-spazierstock-schlagstock/

Tags: Bambus, gehstock, knuppel, schlagstock, Spazierstock, Wanderstock

Iron Bamboo Walking Sticks and Hiking Canes

Mar 24

Posted by guroofarms in Crafting, Martial Arts, Medieval, Products, Self Defense, Weapons | 2 Comments

Recently, we had a Bamboo Nursery-Specialist, Mr. Abhijeet-visiting us from Agartala, Tripura. He specializes in raising Oliveri Bamboo (An iron Bamboo) and we became good friends.. We had a lot to discuss- regarding this rare iron bamboo, its propagation techniques, and applications for crafting Walking Sticks and Hiking Canes for the international market.

Iron Bamboo is an excellent material to craft Hiking Sticks and Walking Canes. Europeans and Americans alike, love Iron Bamboo, for their Walking Sticks and Canes (Wanderstock and Spazierstock).

Also called The Calcutta Bamboo, this rare species is almost fully solid, yet has a degree of flexibility, thereby qualifying to be one of the best choices, as a raw material for handcrafted Canes, Bo Staff, Escrima and Kali Sticks.

Dr. Salil Tewari, an agronomist and a bamboo expert of International repute, currently a Senior Professor at GBPUAT, also visit our Bambusetum recently. We have been studying Bamboo as a crop, as well as a raw material for the last few years, ever since Shisham (Indian Rosewood) figured on the C.I.T.E.S list. We have eventually domesticated and short-listed 4 genotypes of bamboo, including 2 of the iron bamboo species- which we have found to be suitable for Terai conditions.

Dr. Salil Tewari is an ocean of knowledge. I was busy gathering Dr. Tewari's pearls of wisdom, in terms of learning to spear-head the bamboo mission in Uttarakhand. He was happy to see Stocksii and Oliverii bamboo plants (Iron Bamboo Species) domesticated in Terai and performing well in our bambusetum. We discussed the spacing, cultural practices and vegetative propagation techniques for development of these rare varieties.

Tags: Anis, Bamboo, Bambus, Cane, Escrima, Hiking, Iron Bamboo, Kali, Nostalgie, Pole.Bo, Spazierstock, Staff, Stick, Trekking, Vintage, Walking, Wanderstock

Iron Bamboo Products- on Ebay and Amazon March 2018

Mar 7

Posted by guroofarms in Amazon, ebay, Products | No Comments

Over the last 2 -3 years I have been collecting varieties/genotypes of FULLY SOLID BAMBOO ( also called IRON BAMBOO, due to its IRON LIKE STRENGTH) and I have successfully established a nucleus plot of commercially important species.

This year, during the rains we will be undertaking to plant about 8 to 10 acres of this rare Iron Bamboo.

Our Iron Bamboo is an excellent raw material for all kinds of walking sticks, canes, Hiking and Trekking Poles etc.

Visit our Amazon Shop or Our Ebay Store to buy our Iron Bamboo Walking Sticks, Canes and other products of handicrafts.

http://stores.ebay.com/bamboowoodcraft

http://www.amazon.com/shops/bamboowoodcraft-com

For Wholesale inquiries write to us or call us

Tags: Baton, Iron Bamboo, Tire Thumper, Truncheon, Walking Stick

Iron Bamboo Nurseries- Guroo Farms

Feb 28

Posted by guroofarms in Agroforestry, Crafting, Martial Arts, Medieval, Products, Species | No Comments

Due to a proposed restriction on export of Shisham, we have, over the last 2 years, established an experimental Bambusetum, of about 8 bamboo species, including 2 of the rare Iron Bamboo varieties, namely, Dendrocalamus Stocksii and Thyrostachys Oliverii at Guroo Farms in the Terai Belt of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, India. Besides the afore-mentioned Iron Bamboos, we also have planted Nutaans and Balcooa, both being loosely clumped, thick walled and with straight growing habits.

Further, I would like to thank our Prime Minister, Mr. Modi to have taken the initiative of having Bamboo de-listed as a forest-produce, thereby facilitating ease of trade, and thus giving an impetus to bamboo agro forestry systems. We, as a Sovereign Nation have been sleeping over the error of classification which has resulted in bamboo not having been exploited to its optimum potential. Thus, China is way ahead of us, despite the fact that we, as a country, have a considerable bamboo stand in our forests, and also have agro-climatic zones that support bamboo agro-forestry systems. Botanically, bamboo is a grass and not a tree- an anomaly that should have been sorted out, way back.

I am trying to locate a reliable source of Guadua Bamboo, which is said to be an excellent species for Terai. It is one of the toughest TIMBER BAMBOO, ideal for construction.

My aim is to get about 10 to 15 acres under bamboo cultivation over the next 2 to 3 years.

Another issue that plagues my mind is the choice of the under-story crop for the first 2 years, till the bamboo stand establishes fully.

Does Turmeric fit the bill??

References

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/india-opposes-cites-move-to-regulate-trade-in-all-species-of-dalbergia-56884

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalbergia_sissoo

Tags: Dendrocalamus Stocksii, Iron Bamboo, Thyrsostachys Oliveri

Lemongrass Rhodinol for Bacteria and Fungus

Oct 20

Posted by guroofarms in Crafting, Rhodinol Lemongrass | No Comments

Rhodinol is a term used to describe Citronellol and Geraniol- when they exist together. There are quite a few essential oils which contain rhodinol.

Essential Oils of Geranium, Rose, and a revolutionary new genotype of Lemongrass- are some of the examples- see the table below for a typical GC.

As a grower of bamboo, as well as essential oil crops- I, accidentally discovered an interesting application of rhodinol lemongrass for treating bamboo to protect it against pathogens and fungus, besides imparting a beautiful rosy aromatic note to our bamboo products.

Last few years, I have been experimenting with various oils- I found Oils of Rose and Geranium too expensive for my applications- though they also contain geraniol and citronellol in sizable proportions. I found Citral Rich lemongrass prone to oxidation, and very corrosive- The workers would complain of burning sensation- and hence shelved it too.

Our trials with Rhodinol Rich lemongrass turned out to be a success- and hence we have developed a curing process, where in we add Rhodinol Rich Lemongrass Oil to an oleo-thermal medium. Perhaps it's the anti- pest and anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of Citronellol and Geraniol (collectively called Rhodinol)- which get imbibed into the bamboo fiber that saves the bamboo from attack.

My interest in essential oils is multi-pronged-

a) -as a farmer and a distiller- our main crops are mints and rhodinol rich lemongrass

b) -as a raw material to treat and cure bamboo- bamboo handicrafts are a product of commerce for us.

c) -as a healing agent. Most civilizations have evolved methods of healing- into specialized activities. In India- ayurved is practiced - which uses dried plants- also called crude drugs. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry are related sciences. The West, especially the Americas, have evolved aromatherapy as a healing procedure.

In this regard, I found the following write ups on Rhodinol Lemongrass by some renowned names in aromatherapy very interesting.

http://www.aromahead.com/blog/2010/10/08/a-great-gentle-lemongrass-chemotype/

http://www.aromahead.com/blog/2011/07/22/lemongrass-that-does-not-irritate-your-skin-really/

http://www.whitelotusblog.com/2011/04/lemongrasscymbopogon-citratus-essential.html

https://www.aromatics.com/products/essential-oils/lemongrass-rhodinol-rich-india

https://www.facebook.com/aromatherapyoils/posts/136220063090506

Typical GC charts of geranium, rose and rhodinol rich lemongrass oils

	geranium-bourbon	geranium-india	Rose-Bulgaria	*Rhodinol lemongrass*
citronellol	21.38	23.59 including nerol	38.22	30
citronellyl butyrate	1.26
citronellyl formate	8.37	4.19
geraniol	17.45	23	14.41	45
geranyl acetate	0.39	0.29	0.74
geranyl butyrate	1.04
geranyl formate	7.55	2.66	0.06
geranyl tiglate	1.34	1.61
guaia-6,9-diene	3.9	0.09
linalool	12.9	16.32	3.14
menthone	1.5	0.54
menthone	7.2	0.54
phenethyl tiglate	0.43	0.77
rose oxide	0.21	0.11 e	1.39	*0.15*
		0.74 z	0.32	*0.02*

Tags: anti-fungal, Bamboo Preservation, lemongrass, lemongrass oil, lemongrass rhodinol

Curing Bamboo

Oct 8

Posted by guroofarms in Agroforestry, Crafting | 4 Comments

Our attempts to switch over to agroforestry of bamboo to substitute wood for our handicrafts took me to Institute Of Wood Science and Tech, IPRITI and NID Bangalore, where I had the pleasure of meeting some rare breed of "bamboo connoisseurs". The 5 day seminar offered insights into novel methods of bamboo preservation and product development.

To a layman, bamboo epitomizes "a poor mans timber"- an ambivalent "pole"- being utilized in almost all rural activities- may it be construction, fencing, fishing or agriculture.

Why preserve bamboos?
Natural Untreated Bamboos are classified as GRADE 3 timber material. However, when properly treated it turns out be a very fine timber, in ways, stronger than steel and ALL HARDWOODS. In its treated state- Bamboo is classified as GRADE 1 Timber- along with Sagwan and Sal. Thus, treating bamboo becomes a necessity.

These techniques include non-chemical and chemical methods, some of which I have already discussed in one of my earlier blogs.

Sap Displacement, smoking, white-washing, storage in water.
Chemical treatment methods (CCA), Boric acid / Borax

Treatment in heated oil / oleo-heat-
I am intrigued by the simplicity and functionality of this process. Where-as, other processes may involve a time span of at least a few months, from the time of harvest to a fully dried and treated bamboo, the oil process renders a ready/treated and duly de-hydrated and de-starched bamboo, in a matter of hours!!! I am trying out various combinations- to study the costs involved, as well as to minimize chemical deterioration and the associated fire hazards.

Would appreciate comments/observations on this method .

Outer/Exterior Protection

Lacquer vs Varnish- Both lacquer and varnish are used to provide a finish to wooden furniture, but they are different in ingredients and how they are made.
Varnish is made from resins that are mixed with thinners or other solvents to remain liquid. On the other hand, lacquer is made by dissolving cotton and nitrocellulose in solvents.
• Varnish is always transparent, whereas lacquer can be made to give tinted finishes.
• No flattening agent is added in lacquer, whereas varnish can produce semi glossy and even satin finishes because of the presence of flattening agents.
• Lacquer being quick drying, it is applied mostly by spraying whereas varnish is applied using a brush.

Varnish is a resin(natural or synthetic) dissolved in oil and does not contain pigments. It produces hard film. Where as lacquers are quick drying coatings made of nitrocellulose dissolved in solvent with pigment added for color.

Tags: Agroforestry, Bamboo Preservation, Bamboo Processing

Babool- Gum Arabic Acacia Nilotica Wood for Handicrafts

Sep 13

Posted by guroofarms in Anatomy, Crafting, Species | No Comments

The Babool or the Indian Gum, Nilotica (linn), Willd ex del is also known as kikar, babur etc. and is indigenous to the Indian Sub-continent. It is found in Deccan and Thar.

A. nilotica is a multipurpose tree. Its timber is valued by rural folks.

Uses

Tooth brushing- The tender twigs are used as a toothbrush (Datun)

Gum arabic- The gum of A. nilotica is also referred to in India as Amaravati gum

Hedges- V. nilotica is thorny and hence makes a good hedge.

Physical Properties of the Wood
The hard wood is heavy and tough. The average weight is about 785 kg/m3 at 12 per cent moisture content. It is somewhat coarse-textured and has interlocked grains. The wood is dull and somewhat rough without any characteristic odour or taste. The strength properties of wood are given below

	*Babool*		*Teak*
	Green	Air Dry	Green	Air Dry
*Moisture content per cent*	70	12	76.6	12
Static Bending
(a) Fibre stress at elastic limit (kg/sq cm)	421	487	509	651
(b) Modulus of rupture(kg/cm2)	776	894	841	959
(c) Modulus of elasticity (1000 kg/sq cm)	977	1128	1097	1196
*Impact bending*
(a) Fibre stress at elastic limit (kg/sq cm)	1085	1306	1085	1121
(b) Maximum height of drof in impact binding (cm)	130	104	91	71
(c) Modulus of elasticity (kg/sq cm)	108400	140100	160600	166800
*Compression parallel to grain (kg/sq cm*
(a) Compressive stress at	207	260	311	376
(b) Maxi. Crushing stress	354	536	415	532
(c) Modulus of elasticity	101800	118000	129800	137400
*Compression perpendicular to grain (kg/sq cm)*
(a) Compressive stress at elastic limit	91	124	86	101
*Hardness-load in kg to embed 1.128 cm diameter ball to half diameter*
(a) Radial	720	824	557	502
(b) Tangential	755	855	551	524
(c) End	671	915	486	488
*Shear paralled to grain (kg/sq cm)*
(a) Radial	119	168	90	97
(b) Tangential	143	192	100	108
*Tension perpendicular to grain (kg/sq cm)*
(a) Radial	89	71	68	58
(b) Tangential	107	93	79	66

Working and Finishing Properties
In its green state, It is an easy wood to convert and resaw. However, it becomes harder and tougher when seasoned. It works well by hand machines and finishes to a good surface. Its working quality index based on quality of worked surface and ease of working is 84 compared to 100 for teak.
Timber
The wood is widely used for construction as posts, rafters, beams and in door frames. It is one of the most favoured timbers for all types of agricultural implements like ploughs, harrows, crushers and rice pounders, and is extensively used in card building, for yokes, shafts, wheels and body work. Babul wood is also recommended for certain types of sports and athletic goods like clubs, wall bars, parallel bars, etc..

Fuelwood- and charcoal. Its charcoal is considered to be superior to charcoal from other species.

Resources

http://www.frienvis.nic.in/WriteReadData/UserFiles/file/pdfs/Babul.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vachellia_nilotica

We have found it to be an excellent raw material for various handicrafts

See some of our Babool/Acacia products on OUR EBAY STORE

HTTP://STORES.EBAY.COM/BAMBOOWOODCRAFT USA STORE

HTTP://STORES.EBAY.CA/BAMBOOWOODCRAFT CANADA STORE

HTTP://STORES.EBAY.COM.AU/BAMBOOWOODCRAFT AUSTRALIA STORE

Tags: Acacia Nilotica, Babool, Gum Arabic, Indian Gum

Iron Bamboo Sticks for Filipino Martial Arts

Aug 22

Posted by guroofarms in Crafting, ebay, Martial Arts, Medieval, Products, Self Defense, Weapons | 2 Comments

Silat, Kali, Arnis, Eskrima are variations of Stick Fighting Martial Art Form that evolved in Philippines.

Arnis & Eskrima are Spanish words. The term Escrima/ Eskrima, is derived from a Spanish term “esgrima”, meaning ‘fencing’. This art form was more from the central part of the Philippines. Arnis, is derived from a Spanish term ‘Arnes de mano’ meaning ‘armour of the hands’. It was later shortened to ‘Arnis’. This art form comes from the northern parts of the Philippines. They're Filipino stick fighting mixed with European techniques of sword fighting.

Kali is a Silat style, martial art form- and comes from the southern part of the Philippines. The word Kali is Indonesian, derived from the Bahasia dialect, meaning river. As per certain literature- the stick in Kali Stick Fighting, epitomizes the river, continuously flowing, unstoppable, with the ability to consume whatever lays in its path. Throw a boulder in a river and the water will go under, over, through or around it but it will continue to flow.

For the most part, these are all similar, if not same, martial arts. The masters of these arts influenced each other and thus there are many similarities. The differences usually depend on the instructor.

We have listed this on ebay-

4421023001 Set of 4 pieces, Iron, Bamboo, Martial, Arts, Escrima, Anis, Kali, Practice, Bo, Staff, Walking, Stick

IRON BAMBOO, is a rare variety of ALMOST FULLY SOLID BAMBOO SPECIES, harder than hardwood. Certain mechanical parameters are comparable to steel. Bamboo has a longer longitudinal fibre- thus does not break easily. It may momentarily yield/bend under extreme pressure, but comes back to its original form- much like an elastic. This helps to reduce the intensity of the impact shock.

EBAY CANADA

www.ebay.ca/itm/253106976140

Price: C $27.00

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EBAY USA

www.ebay.com/itm/253106938014

Price: US $22.00

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