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How to straighten a wooden shaft

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Bootthrower:
I just finished my first hand split arrow shaft. It is made from european oak and was my first attempt at making a shaft on my own. I am quite pleased with it, except for the fact that it bends a bit, especially on the front half. Is there a good way to make it straight that doesn't affect the stiffness too much? I thought of heating it over a fire and bending it straight, but I'd imagine that would make it quite stiff. Would steaming it or dipping it in boiling water work instead? That shouldn't make it stiffer once dried, but I don't know if the straightness will be permanent.

Pat B:
If I need to straighten a shaft and hand straightening isn't enough I'll use our gas cook stove top burner to heat the bent area and hand straighten. If it stiffens it too much just sand it until you get the spine you want.

Bootthrower:
I would do something like that, but I want the shaft to remain at the specific dimensions it is at right now. I am hesitant to remove more material unless necessary.

Pat B:
How dry is the wood? If you can't straighten by hand try rubbing something hard and smooth over the apex of the bend vigorously. You can straighten shafts like this by compressing the crown side.

Hawkdancer:
Thanks, Pat!  I was pondering the same dilemma with shoots and dowels!
Hawkdancer

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