Abstract: A hand operated bending tool for forming a clean bend in a venetian blind slat includes a generally U-shaped upward-opening bottom member having a width which exceeds the width of the slat to be bent and having a length proportioned to receive one leg of a slat therein. The bottom member has a low friction curved portion leading into the interior of the member, permitting the slat to roll thereover during the bending operation. An elastomer portion in the bottom member, adjacent the forward end, defines a resilient slat-gripping surface to engage the slat legs and prevent sliding movement of the leg in the channel member during bending. A U-shaped, downwardly-opening top member is received within the bottom member, the top member having a remote end pivotally attached to the bottom member for movement between a raised position to a lowered position in which the upper top member is substantially nested within the bottom member. A slat leg therein is pressed against the gripping surface.