Bamboo is one of the most versatile
and highest yield building materials on earth and in many
Asian countries (particularly those in the far east) it
was and still is omnipresent. A
culture of bamboo has existed across Asia for thousands
of years, and it is still a part of daily life in many
areas. Fortunately, bamboo grows in many places around
the world, and we harvest all our bamboo locally so we
may craft each item by hand. Its
simple form and shape makes it a joy to behold, while
flexibility and strength gives it a utility that is inherent.
Please note our bamboo is grown and gathered locally. Factors such temperature, rain and sun levels can affect our seasonal supply and harvest times and therefore our stock of bamboo goods is limited. We apologize in advance and invite you to contact us if we do not have enough in stock to meet your need.
Probably the first use of bamboo
was as a drinking vessel, as its tubular form was naturally
suited to the task. Our bamboo cups are lightly sanded and finished inside and out to leave as much of its oragnic nature intact. No two cups are alike as the natural variations in the grain and hue gives each a unique beauty.
They come in three sizes, the smaller size
holds about 2 oz and is better suited for shots, sake, or other small-serving drinks. The larger sizes hold
about 5 oz and 8oz and are good sizes for tea, water, or whatever
else you please. See the "Bamboo
care" section below
for care instructions.
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The bamboo canteen is another
handy item, and their use in Japan in particular is well
documented. Our
canteens are in the same style used there for centuries,
and can be carried by hand or worn using the attached leather straps, which are easily tightened and loosened. Each
is made from one solid piece of bamboo, with a hole at
the top and cork included. The top is cut at an angle for easy pouring and filling. As with the cups, each is lightly sanded and fnished inside and out for
durability and shine. See the "Bamboo
care" section below for care instructions.
Since we can find no evidence
of their use in the past our stagger sticks are an item
of complete novelty, though one we are proud to offer as
a unique Traders of Tamerlane product. Like
our canteen above, stagger sticks are made of
bamboo but unlike the canteens, each is made
from an entire walking-stick sized length of bamboo! Hollowed
completely through and finished inside and out, our Stagger Sticks hold about about 16 oz of your
preferred drink and are sure to turn at least a few heads
at your next social gathering. They are so named because
after finishing the contents of the stick, (depending on
the drink) you may be happy it doubles as a walking stick
as well!
Each stagger stick has other
unique features! An included
bendable straw,
makes it easier to drink from and runs the entire length
of the stick plus a few inches (to make sure it doesn't
fall in the tube). Also included is one of our bamboo
cups which doubles as an end cap. Put the cup on
the top so it pinches the straw against the
stick, and it stays put. Attached leather leather straps are fully adjustable like our canteens, so they can easily be
tightened for carrying on your back. The stagger stick is safe for use with all types of drinks, hot or cold.
Note that the default height for stagger sticks are
suitable for most adults of average height, with the top coming to about mouth level if held straight up. If you
would like a shorter or taller stick, please contact us, or indicate it in the "Comments"
section as you check out. See the "Bamboo
care" section below for care instructions.
Weaving bamboo slats together
with rope or other material can result in a surface with
a surprising amount of uses. This practice is still done across Asia today. A small section of woven
slats can be tied to a tent structure and supported by
rope to make a light but strong shelf. Larger slats
can be woven together and made into a tabletop, fencing, and more.
All the slats for our bamboo
surfaces are split by hand and weatherproofed for a lasting
finish. We use white nyon rope to tie the slats
together and all weaving is done by hand. of
See the "Bamboo
care" section below for care instructions.
We sell bamboo
surface by the square foot. Given the organic nature of
bamboo, the final dimensions of your surface may vary slightly. This is usually in width,
as each slat can be easily cut to length, but will always be a varying width. We will do our
best to build your surface as close as we can to
your desired dimensions. Let us know in the comments
section, or contact us if you have any questions.
Use the calculator below to
find the square footage of the surface you want, and
enter it into the quantity box when you add
it to your cart. Then, enter your desired dimensions (W x H) in the comments field as you check out.
Remember that the calculator below
uses decimals, so 2 feet 6 inches should be entered as
2.5. etc.
For a unique and attractive alternative to modern doors, we offer our all handmade, hand woven bamboo doors. Unlike the bamboo surface above, each door is lashed to a mortised bamboo framework (pictured wihout slats above right) for added stability and easier installation. Bamboo doors are a popular way to add a unique touch to a yurt, or for use in any door frame. Each door is finished for added durability and shine.
Bamboo doors are sold by the square foot. Given the organic nature of bamboo, the final dimensions of your door may vary slightly. This is usually in width, as each slat can be easily cut to length, but will always be a varying width. We will do our best to build your surface as close as we can to your desired dimensions. List them in the comments section as you check out, or contact us if you have any questions. Please note when ordering that installation hardware is not included with the door. However, If ordering along with one of our yurts we will install into your door frame automatically.
Use the calculator below to find the square footage of the door you want, and enter it into the quantity box when you add it to your cart. Then, enter your desired width and length in the comments field as you check out. Remember that the calculator below uses decimals, so 2 feet 6 inches should be entered as 2.5.
Surfaces - Bamboo doors and shelves are sealed with a protective finish and generally require little maintenance. To prolong the life of your bamboo product, keep it in a dry, clean area when not in use.
Cleaning - Treat your bamboo drinkware as you would
any wooden dishware. Wash your drinkware throughly and allow to fully dry before using for the first time! NO dishwashers or abrasive cleansers. A bottle brush can help clean the inside, but vigorous shaking with soapwater is enough for most cleaning. Avoid soaking in
water any longer than necessary for cleaning. After washing, shake out any excess water from the inside and then air dry by hanging upside down uncorked/uncapped.
Storage - When storing your drinkware for long periods of time, make sure it is empty of all liquids, dry, and clean. Store in a cool dry place. Avoid stacking heavy objects on top of your drinkware as this may lead to cracks.
Usage - Though
you can enjoy a warm drink in your bamboo drinkware,
do not use in a microwave, oven, or with boiling water. Avoid exposing your drinkware to extreme temperature changes in short periods of time (I.E. Do not pour a warm drink into your drinkware right after taking it out of a cooler) as this may lead to cracks.
A note on color - Certain heavily-colored drinks
(Kool-Aid, tomato juice, etc) may discolor the interior
of the drinkware, though this will not adversely affect
the bamboo. Please note that bamboo
will naturally change
colors from green to brown to tan over time, even when finished. This is
a natural part of the bamboo's aging process and otherwise
has no effect.
