One thing I do to soften basswood for chip carving is to put my project inside a plastic container, put a bowl of steaming hot water in with it, and then close the lid. Leave it for a couple hours or even overnight and then carve it. The wood softens nicely. To measure the amount of moisture content, buy a moisture meter at a hardware store. A reading of 11 or 12 is ideal. Best of luck with your carving!
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