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I find this usually bends ok but you may want to use some downy in the water and be sure you allow the heat to get into the wood . I bend with wet paper . Slat wet paper , wood , wet paper , slat . With the water, you allow the wood to get hot without case hardening .
This should take about 5-6 minutes . then allow a good dry out cycle

Brian,
Are you bending with a fox style bender or a hot pipe? Heh heh hot pipe.....
Uh..sorry. It make a difference. If you are bending with a fox style machine, the slats will help to keep the grain from lifting and causing issues. If you use a hot pipe...heh heh...hot pipe....you might want to consider using a metal slat of some sort to support the wood during the bend.
Also, practice on some other wood before taking your fancy figured woods to your bender.