I have found that After straightening the cane you can reduce the nodes with sandpaper. I always would just heat the nodes and compress them by rolling against a hard surface with a block of wood. This will reduce the nodes to almost the same diameter as the rest of the cane. Now, after seeing cane arrows that others have made the nodes can smooth by sanding. I you do sand the nodes(and shaft) you have to seal the shaft. Before, I would not seal boo shafts because they have the rind to protect them from moisture. Either way works just as well.