Yeah, because for my sins I work with timber and understand some of its peculiar habits. Trees are big bunches of fibres and extremely good at pumping fluids around; shaped pieces of wood with lots of exposed end grain suck up water and distort. Some species more than others, and the beech which MdC have chosen to use is notorious for deforming given the slightest change in humidity, let alone a good soaking. Obviously a waterproof lacquer will go a long way towards minimising that, but the material is still inherently unstable. Hence engaging the services of someone like Bill, because he can suggest a material which will be suitable and provide a good finish. He made a bowl for someone here out of an old lignum vitae bowl (as in crown green) which looked fantastic and would probably do the job admirably.
The other thing is the porosity of many timbers, where the cell structure is coarse and the grain open. A breeding ground for who knows what, and at any rate I can't see soap keeping as well in such a material. I can understand the attraction, but will be sticking with ceramic or plastic.
I would be tempted, but it's a lot of £ for a bowl (without lid)...
