I have successfully stayed away from refinishing bamboo, leaving it instead to the pro bamboo artists. A friend gave me his old bamboo fly rod and said, "do what you wish". I've done searches and couldn't find any answers, Question: Is it possible to take the "set" out of a bamboo rod ? This thing looks like a potato chip. I thought I read somewhere that you could use steam to "reset" the bamboo. Obviously I have no clue and any info would be most appreciated. Thanks

You can use steam, but it may delaminate the strips that make up the blank. They can be re-glued, however.
Or, you can use the dry heat of an iron, with towels to protect the 'boo. Hold it with the set pointing up, and iron it flat.
Or, you can hang it, by its tip from the ceiling (maybe with a little weight attached, depending on how many sections are joined). This does take a while, but it works.
Don't lean the rod in the corner, or hang it horizontally (unless it's just a decoration), or you will intorduce a set of your own.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2010 06:24PM by George Forster.

You can use a heat gun like a paint stripper. Use it directly on the spot you want straightened, heat it up and straighten it by hand. DO NOT overheat and be gentle in bending it.

My main concern was "ungluing the rod". I didn't need 6 pieces where there was only just one. Thank you gentlemen.