I dont know, Paul. I kind of like Gregs suggestion. I'll just finish carving it and try it out. If it's really unacceptable then I might try bending it. I suspect the polyurethane glue wont hold up to steam at all; I know epoxy wont. Either it'll hold or give, and I'd rather have a loaner than firewood. Heck, canoe paddles are bent shaft... Maybe it'll be better

: The time depends on your source of steam and the thickness of the wood that
: you want to heat. if you were doing this on a production basis you might
: run some tests. For a one-time job like this, though, just keep heating it
: with moist heat until it bends. Then cool it.

: You'll soon be able to tell us if that polyurethane glue holds up to whatever
: heat you use. If it gives up, then you can make another attempt at gluing
: this up -- and do it in a straighter line this time. If it doesn't give up
: then you'll bend the shaft straight. If it softens under the heat, and
: then hardens when things cool it may make it esier to bend and straighten
: the paddle. Any of these three possibilities is good for you.

: Good luck and don't get scalded.

: PGJ