wedging?

When I use plastic clay from the supplier I don't usually wedge it. If it feels a bit *short* I may spiral knead it, but not always. The stuff I get usually throws very well straight out of the bag.

Steve Bath UK

In article , thepubguy writes

My teacher said to always wedge to make the clay uniform. Even if it has been wrapped in plastic, the humidity in the clay will vary if it hasn't been wedged. Mind you, that is if you are going to throw it. We don't wedge if we are hand-building and such.

Marianne

I always wedge because it does soften it up a bit and you have to form it into a ball or cone shape to throw it anyway. Also, I have found air pockets in my new bagged clay, so I think it is best to always wedge before you throw. Slabs and hand building, not necessary. Sandi

i never wedge out of the bag from a supplier. only from reclaimed clay.

see ya

steve

Red Deer wrote:

Clay fresh from the bag has generally sat for a couple months (the longer the better), and is usually a bit stiff, regardless of its true plasticity. Some potters I know will throw the bag onto the floor to get it softened. I always wedge it a bit to get it softened. Good exercise, too, although if the clay is too stiff wrist strain can result. I once read that some top Japanese potter complained that U.S. potters don't wedge their clay enough. I think it really depends on how plastic your clay is without doing a lot of wedging. Even if you don't wedge, you usually get the clay moving in forming it into balls (or cones). The same issue comes up with kneading bread dough--more is better, but a short while will suffice. Brad Sondahl