So my dad pruned an oak branch and gave it to me figuring it could be some kind of LARP wizard staff. It sounded like a fun project so I shaved the bark off with my pocket knife. A couple times I shaved deeper into this spongy sort of wood. Not sure that was a smart idea. My plan is to sand it down, maybe do some engravings with Dremel and some pyrography for designs, then shellac it and put a cap on it. My question is, should I remove that layer right under the bark too? With knife or with sandpaper? And what's a good way to dry it? My dad suggested my old car that's dead and sits in the sun (gotta get rid of that thing end of summer but it could work for now to dry out the wood).

Also just general advice on this project. I don't want to mess it up.

Puc unrelated. I can post a pic of the staff when I get home if you want.