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  • That looks interesting. They call it 'laid up' bamboo - laminated, in other words, probably using epoxy. I suppose it's one way around the problem of natural bamboo, which is that the irregular size and diameter make consistent joints (and structures) difficult. Bamboo is said to be stronger that steel, weight for weight. It also shrinks less than timber as the moisture content changes, but it does still shrink a fair bit, and it tends to crack when it does shrink. I suppose their 'laid up' bamboo is kiln-dried, laminated up, then sealed with epoxy resin and polyurethane varnish on top to stop the UV from degrading the epoxy. Which would work, but all that work (and chemicals) might undermine any environmental and economic advantages, leaving an admittedly atractive conversation piece.
    People in the surfing world are still waiting on a vegetable-based epoxy so that they can make more environmentally-friendly boards. There was some talk of a corn-based product but it hasn't come to anything yet.

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