Originally Posted by
Tony Miller
Bruno,
You have a couple of options. First, if it's one of mine you already know what to do.....ask for a replacement!
If not try to see if it is the leather that is curled or the wood itself. if the wood your only choice is to start over. It's hard to say whether the leather will come off at all or would even be usable if it does come off. Depending on the brand some of these are really glued on tight.
If it is only the leather you could try burnishing the edges to press them down of even light sanding to level them. Wide flat paddles can have either problem, curling leather or curling wood. Narrow paddles are more likely curling leather as the narrow pieces are unlikely to warp.
I have changed my wide paddles from 2 1/2" to 3" and started using MDF instead of wood as I doubt any wood will remain flat enough over time once you go past 2 to 2 1/2" in width.
If the leather will come off gluing to a glass or ceramic surface would work but the leather itself can still curl. Do remember that natural surfaces (other than stone) are always liable to more with changes in humidity and temperature.
Let us know how you get on.
Tony