...well .....all the blood rushes to it....
But seriously, I make knife sheaths, and I like them to end up hard as well. I get them wet when all the carving/stamping/stitching work is done and let them dry by a heat source. The sun works well, if you have it. In the winter I place them by a heat vent...not directly on it....just close enough to catch the warm air flow.
I understand some folks use a melted wax method.....but i haven't done that....yet....