[Kevin Holden]

Hi all new to stick making, I have a shepherds crook that's been given to me but the crook is not bent round enough foe my liking is it possible to reshaping it and if so how, would steaming sorted it enough to pull it round some more what are you thoughts on this.

 

[dww2]

Hello Kevin, welcome aboard. You could steam it or use a hot air gun to change the shape, but I would advise extreme caution. My worry would be that heating the material would increase the chances of damaging it when you apply pressure to change the shape. It should be well padded where it is held in whatever you use to hold it, a vise for example. Otherwise, you could be left with dents in the material the handle is made of.

 

[Kevin Holden]

Thanks for the reply I will give it some thought before I attempt anything, you mention a hot air gun how does that work I guessing you just apply heat to area until hot and then bend , would that work with a turnbuckle arrangement provided the materials are well protected

 

[dww2]

Yes, you just heat the area where you want it to bend and apply pressure. Heat it until it is a bit too hot to touch then apply pressure. I think the turnbuckle idea would work fine. Be careful to not get the heat gun too close to the handle as it could scorch it. Go slow, though. The unheated area (and the join if there is one) will be under pressure as well and could crack.
I didn't think to ask, but is the handle horn or wood? You may end up needing to redo the final finish on it either way. Heating can do funny things to material.

 

[CV3]

I can not add much to what dww2 shared. Depending on the wood you may find it helpful to rap a wet towel around the area your heating it well add moisture and help prolong the heat as you move the heat gun. As dww2 said work in small areas and do don' hold the heat to near the wood. If you have some similar size wood you may find it helpful to practice on it. I would also suggest wearing gloves.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

welcome Kevin - in situations like this, we like to see photos.

 

[dangerranger]

I have rebent the stocks of antique rifles and shotguns to give a better fit. it is usually done with heat lamps and hot oil. The oil keeps from scorching the wood. You get the oil at just less than boiling and start pouring it on the wood at the same time you focus the heat lamps all the way around the wood. and keep pouring the hot oil on. when the wood gets about the temp of the oil then start putting pressure on. and keep the pressure on till it cools.
Every time I have done this I say a little prayer, With antique wood stocks breaking one would be a disaster. So far I have not broken one yet. DR

 

[Kelly]

Very interesting. I've never, in decades, heard of this approach.

I have rebent the stocks of antique rifles and shotguns to give a better fit. it is usually done with heat lamps and hot oil. The oil keeps from scorching the wood. You get the oil at just less than boiling and start pouring it on the wood at the same time you focus the heat lamps all the way around the wood. and keep pouring the hot oil on. when the wood gets about the temp of the oil then start putting pressure on. and keep the pressure on till it cools.
Every time I have done this I say a little prayer, With antique wood stocks breaking one would be a disaster. So far I have not broken one yet. DR