A lot of it depends on the bow design, and who you ask. Saw an interesting thread on this same subject recently--suprised me how many folks were indifferent to bamboo, and how many preferred yew (my favorite, especially in a longbow).

Not all bamboo is equal either. Howard Hill used a particular type called Tonkin cane. I'm not sure if it was tempered or not. As I understand it, Tonkin cane only grows in one small area and is very difficult to obtain these days.

I've talked to bowyers that swore by it, many that were indifferent to it, and some that won't use it. My favorite bowyer doesn't offer it because, in their testing with their designs, they found no benefits vs. yew. Bamboo is more expensive for them to get, more work, can be less durable (due to it being a grass, and the nodes), and there were no benefits. I honestly think some may use it just because of the reputation it got from Howard Hill.

I'd imagine if a bow was designed around bamboo limbs it could make more of a difference. I don't believe it's a magic material though, just like I don't believe there are any magic bows.

Chad