My clay is too hard - how can I soften it?

Clay can be softened further using the popular Evolution Stoneware approach (see video below). A small amount of water is added to the clay bag and the top sealed tightly. The bag is then submerged into a large container of water so only the neck of the bag is above the water level. This is left for up to a week. The water pressure outside the bag speeds up the absorption of the water inside the bag.

Our clay bodies are manufactured to standard consistency ranges (known as NGK ranges). Readings are taken with an industry-standard penetrometer before bagging. If a clay is reading outside of its standard NGK range, it is sent for reprocessing. Sometimes a batch of clay will read at the upper end of the standard NGK range. Some users might find this a little too firm for certain uses.

Clay will also harden up in prolonged storage as the water content gradually evaporates through the semi-permeable plastic packaging. For this reason, clay should be stored in a cool location away from frost and direct sunlight.

It should be remembered that some clays are 'thixotropic'. Oxide-heavy clays such as red and black clays are more thixotropic than others. For this reason, thorough wedging and kneading before use is recommended.