There is only one price level offered on bamboo plugs;
we no longer differentiate between wholesale and retail customers for these items.
While man may live without wanting to eat meat,
he cannot live without bamboo.
Without meat, a man becomes thin;
without bamboo, a man becomes trivial.
Chinese philosopher Su Shi, 11th century CE
Quoted on page 62 in: Bamboo and Rattan: Traditional Uses and Beliefs
by Jacqueline M. Piper
Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1992
Bamboo is a type of grass (Poaceae family) that is lightweight and naturally hollow. While almost all of our plugs are a tannish yellow color, bamboo can range from light yellow to light green, brown, almost black, striped, or spotted. The ends are slightly chamfered (beveled/cupped) to make for smooth insertion. The plugs come pre-oiled; keep them well-oiled for smooth insertion. They should be washed periodically with a mild, non-chemical soap, or a small amount of tea tree oil may be used if something stronger is desired.
Only cylinder shapes are possible as the outside surface of bamboo is a smooth, naturally protective surface (called the cuticle, cortex, outer skin, or rind) that would be removed if bamboo is carved into flared saddle or ring shapes - the material located below this surface is much more porous and less dense, and thus not suited to be worn in contact with body piercings.
The ones featured on these images that are solid on the front are cut on the node of the bamboo (also known as the diaphragm or membrane); they have a very mild one-flare shape, are hollow in the back, are hard to match in pairs, are often slightly rougher than the center of the rod of bamboo, and are harder to match into pairs. We pre-make them when possible, and they cannot normally be custom ordered past 1". Also, the images show several bamboo plugs placed inside one another for space constraints on the photo, and does not represent a type of bamboo earplug available (several have asked!).
We occasionally have some black bamboo available in limited sizes. This can range from dark chocolate brown to medium spotted brown. As the coloration is on the wearing surface only (the outside of the cane), only a small outline of this darker coloration will be visible when the cross-section is viewed. Please ask if you are looking for a specific size in black bamboo.
Specify diameter. We can work in gauges, inches, or millimeters, and in between and odd sizes! NEW! Tiny bamboo! While our usual minimum diameter is 7ga, for we currently have limited materials to make bamboo plugs all the way down to 11ga, 10ga, 9ga, and 8ga!
Please note that we are out of 1-7/8" diameter bamboo.
Our current maximum diameter is 2-9/16" (actually, please check with us as we may have larger pieces!).
Most bamboo is slightly cardiod in cross-section (heart shaped), with a rounded-off divot out of one side. We do not use these pieces; we only make bamboo plugs that have cross-sections that are as round as possible. Though we have very tight tolerances, due to the slightly elliptical shape of bamboo, diameters may be approximate or averaged across a mildly oval piece, especially with plugs over 1". Very large pieces tend to be more oval. If you are specifically hoping for oval bamboo plugs, feel free to request it.
Specify length. A typical length is 1/2", though we can make them any size.
Some people prefer shorter lengths, around 7/16", or longer lengths to allow room for fatter lobes or o-rings, such as 9/16" or 5/8". There is a material surcharge for bamboo 1" or over in length.
Specify with or without black o-rings (Buna-N nitrile), which we will provide if we have them on hand.
We do not normally include them; if you don't ask, we will assume that you do not want them.
We currently have an average of a two to three week wait for custom made bamboo.
We always have some pre-made plugs in stock, even some one side 'solid' bamboo, singles, and black bamboo. These cannot always be custom ordered as the materials themselves dictate what we can make. Please call us to ask about our current selection.
One side solid bamboo has a natural one-flare or tapered form, which takes up some length.
These are only available in 1" and less diameters, but note we are out of 1/2" and 3/4".
We normally make one-side solid bamboo up to 1" only, as the pattern of the solid parts can vary widely, as well as level of flatness or convexness, and it is quite difficult to form matched pairs in large sizes.
We have black bamboo in 1/2" or larger diameters only, and not in every size. This is mainly due to the fact that most black bamboo is cardiod (heart) shaped or has large dips or flat spots on it in smaller sizes.
Also note that 'black' bamboo is on average a dark chocolate brown, but can vary widely and can also exhibit a spotted light or medium brown appearance. This coloration is natural and only appears on the outer surface, or rind, which is the wearing surface for bamboo plugs. Thus black bamboo plugs will still appear yellowish tan on the ends as shown, with a halo of dark coloration around the rim of the circle.
Finally, the image above shows a few pairs of the black bamboo that also happen to be one-side solid. Wow! It is quite rare to find the materials to make these, and also to have them match up in size, visual pattern, and hue into pairs - thus, they cannot normally be custom ordered. Ask us about what we might have in stock in all types of pre-made bamboo.
Wall thicknesses and the corresponding hole sizes will vary. While most will look like the pair on the far left of the top image, larger diameter plugs (over 1-1/8" or so) can often have quite thick walls. In the case of timber bamboo, also utilized for scaffolding and construction, some walls make the cross-sections look almost completely solid. Thick-walled bamboo can be great for doing burnt patterns upon as well.
::Prices for Bamboo Jewelry::
There is only one price category offered for bamboo;
we no longer offer wholesale prices for bamboo.
Retail and wholesale prices are the same.
Black bamboo is occasionally available
(1/2" or larger only) for $1 extra/piece ($2 extra/pair).
Add half the base price for: one side 'solid' bamboo (1" and under only),
or for lengths 1" or over.
We no longer offer burnt ends;
those shown below are for archival purposes only.
Smaller than 1/2" =$8/each ($16/pair)
1/2" to under 1" =$10/each ($20/pair)
1" to under 1-1/2" =$12/each ($24/pair)
1-1/2" to under 2" =$16/each ($32/pair)
2" to under 2-1/2" =$20/each ($40/pair)
2-9/16" and up = Please call!
PREMADE Bamboo Plugs
Premade bamboo plugs, ready to go! Shown above.
1 pair ≥4ga bamboo plugs ($16/pair)
3 pairs 3/8" (just over 00ga) bamboo plugs ($16/pair)
1 pair 1-5/8" lightly spotted black bamboo plugs
($32/pair base price, plus $2/pair for the material)
The following batch is ready to go, but not shown:
28 pairs Plain hollow bamboo:
1 pair each of: 6ga and 7/16" ($16/pair)
1 pair: 1/2" ($20/pair)
2 pairs: 5/8" ($20/pair)
5 pairs: 3/4" ($20/pair)
1 pair: 7/8" ($20/pair)
5 pairs: 1" ($24/pair)
1 pair: 1-1/8" ($24/pair)
2 pairs: 1-1/4" ($24/pair)
1 pair: 1-3/8" ($24/pair)
1 pair: 1-5/8" ($32/pair)
1 pair: 1-3/4" ($32/pair)
6 pairs: 1-7/8" ($32/pair)
Also ready to go, but not shown, is:
6 pairs Black bamboo:
5 pairs: Between 00ga and 7/16" (like 0000ga) ($16+2/pair)
1 pair: 7/8" ($20+2/pair)
Final batch of burnt bamboo plugs
We have a large batch of burnt bamboo plugs waiting to go!
This is the last ever stash of pairs with burnt designs!
45 pairs Bamboo plugs with BURNT designs on the ends:
These are no longer being produced, so this is a very special batch!
3 pairs: 7/16" ($16+8/pair) ALL SOLD
3 pairs: 1/2" ($20+10/pair) 1 PAIR SOLD
6 pairs: 5/8" ($20+10/pair) 3 PAIRS SOLD
8 pairs: 3/4" ($20+10/pair) 4 PAIRS SOLD
3 pairs: 7/8" ($20+10/pair) 2 PAIRS SOLD
9 pairs: 1" ($24+12/pair) 3 PAIRS SOLD
1 pair: 1-1/8" ($24+12/pair)
2 pairs: 1-1/4" ($24+12/pair) 1 PAIR SOLD
4 pairs: 1-3/8" ($24+12/pair) 1 PAIR SOLD
3 pairs: 1-1/2" ($32+16/pair) 1 PAIR SOLD
1 pair: 1-5/8" ($32+16/pair)
1 pair: 1-3/4" ($32+16/pair)
1 pair: 1-7/8" ($32+16/pair)
5 pairs Bamboo plugs with BURNT designs on the ends AND backs of the wearing surfaces:
These are no longer being produced, so this is a very special batch!
1 pair: 7/16" ($16+8+8/pair)
1 pair: 1/2" ($20+10+10/pair)
1 pair: 7/8" ($20+10+10/pair) SOLD
1 pair: 1" ($24+12+12/pair) SOLD
1 pair: 1-1/8" ($24+12+12/pair)
Bamboo with STAMPED Burnt Designs on the Wearing Surfaces
Here is something we have in limited amounts only:
Premade tiny bamboo, most with stamped burnt designs on the wearing surfaces. $12/pair.
Patterns and lengths will vary a bit as shown, and will not be identical from piece to piece or within a pair.
These cuties are available in these sizes only:
>7ga singles,
6ga plain singles-all different lengths,
<6ga burnt single,
±5ga pairs, and
a >4ga single.
We only have what are already made of these little ones - they cannot be custom ordered.
NOTE: everything below this line
is for archival purposes only!!!
WE NO LONGER OFFER
BAMBOO PLUGS WITH BURNT DESIGNS!
Bamboo Plugs with BURNT DESIGNS on the Ends (PYROGRAPHY)!
Burnt designs are available on any size of bamboo plug.
We do not necessarily want to repeat the same designs over and over, so these will hopefully serve to give you a good idea about what is possible in what size. Once you click these thumbnails you'll see the images posted at 100%, like the rest of our website. Obviously, many of these are huge, and complicated patterns can only go on big plugs with thick walls, so small plugs will have to be simple and minimal, like on images #D and #E. If there is a certain unique design that you are hoping for which can realistically fit onto a pair of plugs at your size, please let us know and we can burn it for you. It must be composed of lines and/or dots. We can also design something unique just for you and make it a surprise.
All of these particular plugs have already been sold; others can be custom ordered!
In most cases, add half the pair prices
for burnt designs on the ends of bamboo plugs.
For example, if the pair price for plain bamboo would normally be $16/pair,
a pair with burnt designs on one end of each piece in the same size would add $8/pair, to total $24/pair.
Though most designs will follow the above rule, we may charge an increased fee for complicated, intricate, or large burnt designs. The maximum fee would be equal to the same amount as the pair's base price. In the case of the above example, the maximum fee for adding a burnt design would be $16/pair, making the total cost of the pair $32 total.
For example, burning the Marquesas Islands tattoo-inspired honeycomb designs as shown in the group image above (also a study in wall-thicknesses!), the big pairs on #A or #C, the upper designs repeated on #U, and the bottom right pair on #Y, requires a lot of precise strikes and takes a ton of time compared to almost all the others. Therefore we charge the pair's base price to burn that pattern.
Just give a call and we will give you a quote.
If you want to refer to the below designs
when we are discussing custom work,
please call them, in order:
#A/#B, #C/#D, #E, #F, #G/#H, and #I/#J.
This first batch of images are all posted at life size.
#A (top grouping) and #B (bottom grouping)
#C (top) and #D (bottom: note that these are all small sizes)
#E (mostly small sizes)
#F: Note that these plugs have burnt designs AND are one side solid! Shazaam!
#G (top) and #H (bottom)
#I (top) and #J (bottom)
This next batch of images are all posted as smaller thumbnails.
Please click on these smaller images below to view full size versions.
If you want to refer to these designs
when we are discussing custom work,
please call them, in order:
#K/#L, #M/#N, #0/#P, #Q/#R, #S/#T, #U/#V/#W, and #X/#Y/#Z.
#K and #L (note that both of these show
very large thick-walled plugs only)
#M (large diameter plugs only shown) and #N
#O (left) and #P (right)
#Q (left) and #R (right)
#S (left) and #T (right)
#U (left: repeated designs) and
#V (center: large diameter plugs only)
and #W (right)
As seen on the left-hand image,
we can indeed do 'runs' of various sizes in one design.
#X (left) and #Y (center) and #Z (right)
#ZZ
This is one of Markus's designs. He really likes this pair.
Please let us know if you want us to design something unique for you!
Bamboo with Burnt Designs on the Ends AND Wearing Surfaces
Burnt bamboo plugs showing patterns on the longer wearing surfaces as well as the ends!!!
The three longer rows shown above show top, side, and bottom view of the same 5 pairs of plugs.
As you can see in these examples, we've matched up the wearing surface designs to be extensions of those on the faces. These could be two unrelated patterns instead if you'd prefer it that way. The fee for burning bamboo is per surface,
so the front faces of a pair would count as one surface, the front parts of the wearing surfaces would count as two, the back parts of the wearing surfaces would count as three, and if the back faces were burnt as well, those would be the fourth surfaces.
We also do burnt designs on the wearing surface of bamboo septum plugs and rods, as shown above.
Naturally, we can do longer septum plugs and rods in bamboo without burnt designs as well.
And of course we can also make bamboo for conches or any other spots you might want it for.
Please also note that there is a surcharge for lengths that are 1" or longer (which is half the base price).
The ones featured on these images that are solid on the front are cut on the node of the bamboo (also known as the diaphragm or membrane); they have a very mild one-flare shape, are hollow in the back, are hard to match in pairs, are often slightly rougher than the center of the rod of bamboo, and are harder to match into pairs. We pre-make them when possible, and they cannot normally be custom ordered past 1". Also, the images show several bamboo plugs placed inside one another for space constraints on the photo, and does not represent a type of bamboo earplug available (several have asked!).
We currently have an average of a two to three week wait for custom made bamboo.
