Well Wade I can't argue the fact that straight piece of Bamboo makes for a sweet gaff blank. I would also agree that not all PVC will cut it as a gaff but I've been using my gaff for three years now and never had any problems with it.

Keep in mind I'm on a kayak and my gaff is only 24" plus I constructed it using 3" heavy duty PVC with a plastic wall that is probably double that of a piece bamboo the same diameter. Also when I slid a sleave of 2.5" heavy duty PVC pipe inside for reinforcement and then shot the inside of the tubing with the expanding foam to bond the sleeve, add strength, and floatation. I used cork tape for the handle and added shrink an inch of shrink tube on both ends and added a big butt cap on the bottom. I use the same PVC for my kayak which weights about 80lbs all loaded up and I have carted as far as a mile to reach remote launch destinations often making my way down steep rocky trails to reach the coast line. If figured if my cart had held up through all this I shouldn't have any problems with using it making a gaff. I do carry a single hook Tady C as a back up gaff just in case. Never had to use it as a gaff but I've seen it done and it works.

JerryG