You can use them straight away if they are naturally straight, but if you want to heat them up and straighten them up they need to be dried out or they will return back to their natural shape, hazel is very good as it is often straight enough naturally
Met a few like that myself mate!!
Told him to get some kevlar gloves next time because rabbit can bite through bone Pair of welding gauntlets on top will give some extra protection
Taken the plunge ffs, you remind me of a lad i knew when i was a kid, he turned up at my door holding his new leather caser, and said i'm not going to the field incase my ball gets dirty lolol