Buff Noir willow soaking times and tips
30 August 2022
Buff Noir willow requires soaking before use. Soaking isn’t an exact science and it can be tricky to get right. There are many variables to take into consideration. The weather, water temperature and the length of time that the willow has been stored will all play a part. That being said, follow these simple guidelines and you should enjoy soaking success!
Tips for soaking Buff Noir willow
Willow takes longer to soak on a cold winter’s day than on a hot summer one. The times below are a guide to soaking Buff Noir willow in clean cold water on an ‘average’ day. Using warm or hot water will shorten the soaking time. If the willow has been stored for a long period it will take longer to soak.
Soaking times for Buff Noir willow
| Length of rods | Soaking time |
| 3ft | ½-1 hr |
| 4ft | 1-1½ hrs |
| 5ft | 1½-2 hrs |
| 6ft | 2 hrs |
| 7ft | 2-2½ hrs |
| 8ft | 3 hrs |
| 9ft | 3½ hrs |
A soaking bag has the advantage of being easy to empty and the willow can then mellow in the bag. Our heavy duty soaking bags are available in a range of lengths and widths and are supplied with simple instructions.
Alternatively, willow can be soaked in a bath, trough or old paddling pool. Always ensure that the water is clean! The willow will need to be weighed down to keep it submerged. Be wary of soaking willow in your finest bathtub. You may end up with tannin stains.
Once soaked, Buff Noir can be worked almost straight away. Soak only what you intend to use in one sitting. Ensure Buff Noir willow does not dry out while using it by spraying it often while working. Storing it in a damp towel whilst working may be advantageous.
Things to watch out for
Keep Buff Noir willow damp for too long (especially in warm weather) and the willow will turn greasy and/or mouldy. The rods may also squash if used. At this stage, it may be possible to thoroughly dry the willow out before re-soaking. The mould will need to be wiped off first.
Repeated re-soaking will cause the willow rod to lose its colour. If a rod starts to get black spots, it is no longer usable. However, if only a few rods are affected, pull these out to stop the mould spreading. The rest of the rods should still be usable.
If rods split while being worked, you can remedy this by turning the rod while weaving; one turn will increase the split, and the other will seal it.
