: Redesigning the wheel is often an exercise in futility. Some people
: enjoy the challenge of futility, though.

: Personally-I'd say that since the name describes the use, maybe
: tent poles are best used for the purpose they're designed.

: m
Not to be rude, but "tent poles" are used for all sorts of things other than tents. I simply called them that because I was thinking specifically of sections shock-corded together. These things have a pretty high tensile strength and, depending upon whether you chose fiberglass or aluminum you wouldn't have the same "crimping" issues. Like I said, I'd like to test this but it probably won't be any time soon.
FrankP