Sir,
  Old man back in the valley used to toss rough wood chair backs, seats, legs, etc into an old cast iron vat  and boil them for a day or so, then fish them out and bend as desired.  Probably a day or so for your shovel, I'd guess.  I think you'd have to work at it to do it wrong.
Best of luck.  Stetts
PS.  Always good to see somebody fix the old stuff.  Good on you.