"Terrence J Smith" wrote

Guys:
This maybe off topic, but I need to make a better shepherds crook. Ones I
have purchased are worthless after about a year as the 'crook' opens up
and makes it impossible to catch a goat (I raise meat goats).
The purchased variety are made of oak and seem to be steam bent.
My thoughts a
- Steam bend one myself. Would using green wood, maybe ash, make the bend
more permanent?
- Make the bend with thin strips and epoxy (a laminate).

Sounds like an interesting project. But most of us have no idea what you
are asking for here. It might be an idea to provide a link so we can look at
it. After all, it is hard to provide ideas and advice on something that we
have never seen.

Also, are these shepherds crooks that expensive? Buying one each year may
be a totally sensible expense and a lot less bother.