im not sure if the pva will do much.
I read that it stops the ends drying quicker, than the rest of the stick stopping splitting at the ends !
time will tell i suppose .
theres a good video on youtube of a guy heat bending the sticks with a wallpaper stripper ,worked really well .he piped it to some 6" round ducting, and put the sticks in the ducting with the steam and then he straightened them easily.
Dan
http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/340518-straightening-walking-sticks/
TC