Bending wood?

[Centaur]

I guess this is sort of knife related.

I recently made some wooden "wasters" for my Medieval Longsword class. I had alot of fun making them. Now, I want to make a size appropriate wooden cutlass for my 6 year old son - he just loved "Pirates of the Caribbean."

I've got some 1/2" maple for the blade, and some walnut for the handle. I wanted to make a "D" style hand guard. I've got sone 1/16" cherry to laminate, but it's not pliable enough to bend into the curve that I need.

Question: Would steaming the wood make it more pliable?

After the Cutlass, it's time for a wooden Narsil!

 

[tom mayo]

the best way to make curves in wood is to:

Steam it and then put it into a form (fixture) in the shape you want it...but it will spring back some...

or way better, make your own plywood-at least four ply, and while the epoxy is still wet put it in the fixture....this is the best system for getting good curves out of wood.

 

[peter nap]

What Tom said. If I get in a big hurry sometimes I just throw it in a pot of boiling water or wrap it in a towel soaked in boiling water but you will get much better results steaming or laminating.

 

[SamuraiDave]

We need some of those guys who build boats in here. I have seen shows on Discovery and History channel about steaming wood to form for boats and that is freaking awe inspiring. Being from Central Texas I don't know practically anything about boats, but alot of'em sure are a work of art! Just thinking about some of the wood work I have seen on them makes me drool...