What constitutes a raku clay?
A raku clay is any clay that can be successfully raku fired. That includes most any type of clay out there! As I say at my workshops; “I’ve never met a clay that I couldn’t raku.” Generally though, a clay suitable for raku needs to contain a lot of fireclay and similar refractory materials so that it can withstand the sudden heat shock of the raku process. This includes most stock stoneware clays. The clay does not have to be loaded with coarse grog but it does have to be open enough to expand and contract without cracking. Most clay suppliers can help you choose an appropriate claybody. The other characteristics that you are looking for are your personal ones such as plasticity, color, texture, etc. Nothing needs to be sacrificed in order to have a good, reliable raku clay.
