Hot water will do it if you have it hot enough long enough.  I assume it is ash, which bends relatively easily.  When I built my canoe I had to bend some strips of ash and glue them together to form the front and back ends.  I just cranked up the water heater and filled a 4 inch pvc pipe, put the strips in and waited.  Replaced the water once and an hr later they bent like you wouldn't believe.  Boil it in a turkey fryer for an hour or two and I bet it will go where you want.  Or just get the right handle...