# How do I straighten my umbrella? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 24, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767 "2017-10-24T22:47:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/1 "2017-10-24T22:47:07Z")
I have a nice full-length umbrella - not a golfing umbrella - which now has a slight bend in the central tube near the handle after I stumbled against it. How do I straighten the bend? I can live with it but I’d rather fix it. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/2 "2017-10-25T04:22:05Z")
Find someone who did archery in the old days of aluminum shafts and ask them to run it through their arrow straightener. No; I am not kidding. I have done it several times in the past 50 years with a small tool I kept in my shooting box with some other odd gear. Someone working tubing like a plumber may be able to help out as well. Being near the handle where it can be manipulated open should make it a little easier. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/3 "2017-10-25T09:21:33Z")
I also have a Fletcher straighten my umbrellas. No, I am not kidding. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/4 "2017-10-25T10:59:34Z")
Arrow straightener? Interesting. The tube’s diameter is very much larger than an arrow. Good call on the plumber; I’ll tackle one the next time one’s in the vicinity. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/5 "2017-10-25T15:01:41Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Arrow straightener? Interesting. The tube’s diameter is very much larger than an arrow. The tools open up a fair amount over the average shaft diameter just as some of plumbers gear, made for much larger diameters than an unbrella, can be adjusted down. The advantage to a fletcher/archer is that he/she is more used to doing precision levels of straight and not just sorta-eyeball straight. If you can find an archery shop in your area give them a shout – you may just be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/6 "2017-10-25T15:08:12Z")
Sure, but plumbers are way more common than fletchers. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/7 "2017-10-25T15:09:37Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Arrow straightener? Interesting. The tube’s diameter is very much larger than an arrow. Good call on the plumber; I’ll tackle one the next time one’s in the vicinity. Either one should have you covered. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/8 "2017-10-25T15:19:06Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Sure, but plumbers are way more common than fletchers. My mileage varies? 😉 (I shot PSAA and FETA and have a rather impressive list of names) Actually you are right but knowing what plumbers charge and how ham-handed some of the ones I’ve had can get that would be my second choice. Especially if the umbrella was something I really cared about. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/9 "2017-10-25T15:19:29Z")
I can’t be the only one who read the thread title and immediately searched “straighten umbrella” on urban dictionary, right? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/10 "2017-10-25T15:31:33Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I can’t be the only one who read the thread title and immediately searched “straighten umbrella” on urban dictionary, right? I’m at work and am not searching. I assume that’s a euphemism for, well, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/11 "2017-10-25T15:38:26Z")
_Everything_ is a euphemism. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/12 "2017-10-25T15:50:30Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I can’t be the only one who read the thread title and immediately searched “straighten umbrella” on urban dictionary, right? Yer not. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-straighten-my-umbrella/799767/13 "2017-10-25T18:26:46Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I can’t be the only one who read the thread title and immediately searched “straighten umbrella” on urban dictionary, right? Ayup, me too. I was certain this was slang for, er, a body part that was a little bent . . .