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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;desertgem, post: 2648029, member: 15199&quot;]I use and recommend ( when as a last resort, a mechanical process is needed) is to use a pointed bamboo skewer. I buy a package of 100 at the 99 cent stores . I cut off the pointed end to a few inches and ( here is the key), soak the tip&nbsp; in what ever fluid you are going to use ( from water to acetone, verdigone, verdi-care, etc) for a few minutes. The internal structure of the xylem draws up and&nbsp; hold this fluid like an old fashion fountain pen. The longer you soak it, the weaker the point becomes and the less problematic it becomes. Eventually it will get soft like&nbsp; fibers. Normal wood has a more compact xylem and doesn&#039;t do this and can lead to scratching. Believe it or not, the hardness of cellulose structures is&nbsp; more than coin metals so rigidity is dangerous . I have tried the various thorns and plastics, and the bamboo ( although not completely harmless, some thought is needed) is superior in my estimation. Jim[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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