Straightening out cheap bamboo chopsticks

[Andrew Morrow]

Hey all!
I am working on a project where I am going to be putting toppers / ends on cheap bamboo chopsticks as party favors.   The issue is that they are, for the most part, SLIGHTLY bent.  Can anyone think of a way to straighten them out?   I'm thinking a steaming / boiling then putting into some sort of form or press.I don't mind spending a little time on each one, I just want good results.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

thanks!

[Matthew Dey]

Warped wood is a pain in the butt and probably not worth the trouble.  What is it exactly you are making?  Perhaps you could use Popsicle sticks from the hobby or crafts shop.

If I were to try and straighten a chopstick I would remember that the problem is in 3 dimensions.  I would splint it to a very straight metal rod after steaming or the bigger job but might be better is in a heavy mold of some sort.  Like 2 flatish bricks with a very straight groove which it tightly sandwiches the wood.

This link might help

http://4umi.com/wood/conservation/endingthebending.php

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[Bill Tomiyasu]

If cost is not an issue, buy a bunch and only use the straightest ones.  I don't think that steaming will help all that much, but I have never tried to straighten a chopstick before.  Will wooden dowels work?  You could sharpen one end with a pencil sharpener if you need it to be stuck into something (like an eye or chest plate...;).

--BillT
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