<p>In most commercial applications, the bamboo is treated with steam to soften it.  You can also soften it by soaking in water, but it takes a lot longer.  You can even apply heat to the bamboo, which softens it and turns the water contained in the bamboo to steam.</p>
<p>If a specific shape needs to be replicated, like those tines, the softened bamboo is put in a form until it cools and dries out.  Steam treatment followed by a form is essentially the same as the process for bending wood.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wikihow.com/Bend-Bamboo" rel="noreferrer">3 Ways to Bend Bamboo</a>, describes three ways that don't require a steam chamber.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-11T08:23:15.327Z
Wet bending (of wood) can also be done by applying a little tension, soaking repeatedly, and increasing the tension in small steps over several days.  That's more useful for big pieces you can't fit in a tub but could be used on small stuff too, especially if you want to make one former that will hold several pieces.  Hot water soaking will speed things up a bit compared to cold
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-10T21:21:41.053Z
2021-08-10T21:35:45.597Z
2021-08-10T21:35:45.597Z
fixer1234
<p>I notice that rakes made out of bamboo have curved tines (as shown below).</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/jY9rA.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jY9rA.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>How can I permanently bend bamboo like there tines?</p>

<technique-identification><woodworking>
How to permanently bend bamboo?
Tyler Durden
# How to permanently bend bamboo?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-08-10)

I notice that rakes made out of bamboo have curved tines (as shown below).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/jY9rA.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/jY9rA.jpg)

How can I permanently bend bamboo like there tines?

**Tags:** technique-identification, woodworking


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-08-10. Score: 5

In most commercial applications, the bamboo is treated with steam to soften it. You can also soften it by soaking in water, but it takes a lot longer. You can even apply heat to the bamboo, which softens it and turns the water contained in the bamboo to steam.

If a specific shape needs to be replicated, like those tines, the softened bamboo is put in a form until it cools and dries out. Steam treatment followed by a form is essentially the same as the process for bending wood.

[3 Ways to Bend Bamboo](https://www.wikihow.com/Bend-Bamboo), describes three ways that don't require a steam chamber.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Wet bending (of wood) can also be done by applying a little tension, soaking repeatedly, and increasing the tension in small steps over several days.  That's more useful for big pieces you can't fit in a tub but could be used on small stuff too, especially if you want to make one former that will hold several pieces.  Hot water soaking will speed things up a bit compared to cold  

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