Bent metal part, how to unbend

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**Bobthehero**

Topic title, I got a metal Bretonnian whose sword is curved, how do I fix it?

**Kaiserbudheim**

How bad is it? Is there only one directional curl? Or is it bent in multiple directions?

When I needed to straighten out my metals (banner poles, swords etc.) I used a pair of needle nose plies and carefully worked the object back into shape. I will generally clamp along the long side of the pliers to ensure an even "bend". They can actually take quite a working...just don't do it too fast and give the metal time to rest between tweaks, otherwise (at least for me) it starts to warm up and become too malleable for my liking....

Good luck!

**oadie**

Just bend it back, by hand. Be careful, though, as white metal tends to work-harden rather quickly - what was pliable a second ago can abruptly go brittle and crack, if overworked. If you hear creaking, feel a sudden change in resistance, or see the metal turn a sort of chalky white, it's liable to snap. Even a broken sword is likely reparable, though, and the absolute worst case scenario here is that you have to replace it. Minor bends, at least, are nothing to worry about.

**Bobthehero**

Well I wasn't aware metal was that easy to bend back to shape

Already fixed it, thanks to both of you.

**oadie**

Of course it is - that's how they get all wonky in the first place!

But yes, the alloy that most metal miniatures are cast in (frequently referred to as "white metal" or "lead free pewter") is quite malleable. It was designed as a nontoxic replacement for the pewter commonly used years ago, which was mostly lead (again, quite soft). Not nearly as hard-wearing as steel or brass, but a hell of a lot easier to cast, especially in small scales and with high detail.