how to prep gord for carving?

Question

scraping for hours just doesn't get it. must be some kind of chemical i can use to get though the tough outer layer.

Answer 1

I think you need to add more details. What kind of gourd are you carving? And what exactly do you mean by "carving"? Really fancy stuff where you are just peeling off the outside layer, or simple carving where you are poking holes in the thing? How old is the gourd?

If you have a lot of gourds, and you don't mind experimenting, you could try putting one in the microwave for about five minutes to soften it. I don't think it will keep very well, but maybe it would keep for three or four days.

Good luck.