Rewetting wood???

[Pappa]

I've been carving my first spoon from a piece of elm and as the wood has dried it has become increasingly more dificult to carve. I was wondering if it's OK to soak it in water for a while to make it more 'green'.

Pappa

 

[Longstrider]

I've never tried this so I'm more than ready to be corrected by anyone who knows better, but... I would have thought that if you have managed to get half way without the wood splitting as it dried, you might do well to leave well alone. Re-wetting the wood will never make it "green" again, just wet. The resulting swelling and subsequent shrinkage as it dries (especially as it will then have been carved out relatively thin) might well see your efforts go to waste as the wood splits.

 

[Ogri the trog]

...... it has become increasingly more dificult to carve.
Pappa

I take it that you have sharpened your knife

Ogri the trog

 

[Pappa]

I take it that you have sharpened your knife

Ogri the trog

Erm..., of course I've sharpened my knife..., what kind of idiot would forget to do that... [shuffles off into a corner and hangs head in shame]

I'll get my coat.

 

[Tony]

It takes a brave man to do what you just did :You_Rock_

 

[stovie]

Erm..., of course I've sharpened my knife..., what kind of idiot would forget to do that... [shuffles off into a corner and hangs head in shame]

I'll get my coat.

Classic... :You_Rock_