Tool for forming rye dough in a pan?

A little while back someone posted a link to video of a (pro?) baker using something like a tamper to help with packing/forming rye dough in a pan. I think she may have dunked it in water first but I don't remember exactly. I haven't bookmarked it and can't for the life of me find it. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Or better yet, is it available anywhere? I find some rye doughs more challenging than others even if I eventually coax them to my satisfaction but I feel it takes me more time than necessary. This tool seems so simple yet so genius. Would be great to have one.

UPDATE 7/16/2025:

My memory was a little hazier than I thought and the video was not posted here but I found the Fresh Loaf page that started the trail. the first link opens an interview with Sophie Williams of Raven Breads. Then, there is a picture down that page of her using the tool that is described as "wooden rye press" and clicking that link brings one to an Instagram video of her using it. So if I called it a "press" maybe that would be more descriptive. In any event it looks like a wood float so maybe one can be repurposed. The wooden plank on it looks substantial though; maybe an inch thick?

The only tamper I can find is wooden with cup-shaped knobs on both ends. But it is for tamping pastry into tart shells.

and saw something that looked just like that tool: a wood float. In any case, I found it and it was called "wooden rye press" so maybe I should've called it that. I will update the original post.

I asked ChatGPT about it:

what implement is this quote talking about? The context is baking bread.
"A little while back someone posted a link to video of a (pro?) baker using something like a tamper to help with packing/forming rye dough in a pan."

Part of the response:

The quote is referring to a pastry or tart tamper—a simple but clever tool used to press and shape dough evenly into pans, especially useful for dense doughs like rye.
🛠️ What Is a Tart Tamper?
A tart tamper is typically:
Made of wood
Dual-sided: one end for smaller pans, the other for larger ones
Used to press dough into the bottom and sides of a pan for uniform thickness and neat edges
Sometimes dipped in water or dusted with flour to prevent sticking

So the same tool Moe mentioned (I'd never heard of it) .The chatbot also came up with a link to a specific product, but an internet search will come up with several hits so I'm not including it.

TomP

Maybe I should've called it "press" as that's how it was described on the page that featured it. I'll update the original post with the info.

using a wet silicone spatula—or even your wet fist—to pack the rye dough into the pan. I don’t remember seeing the tool you mentioned.

Yippee

That tool though looked way more efficient. In any case, I found it and will update the original post.

The tool looks like something a mason would use, doesn't it?

Things started to click together after I saw one being used on a nearby construction site. They called it "float". Maybe I can just buy one and repurpose it? Will see but will need to make sure the wood is safe to come in contact with food. Worst comes to worst it can always be coated with something like varnish I guess.

I second the wet fist, don't have to look for it and it's always "on hand"... :)

They come in a variety of materials: wood, magnesium, stainless steel, polyurethane, molded rubber. The problem will be in getting the right size for your pan. A wooden one would be simple to make, with a screwed on handle and be the precise size you need. I came across one that was 9.5" x 4" on Amazon. Close, but no cigar. Also, many pans have sloping sides, so one that fit perfectly within the rim might not fit farther down into the pan.

Home Depot calls them anvils and shows a rubber-based one that is 9 x 4. Don't know how soft or rigid the rubber is.

The metal ones could scratch the non-stick coating. It doesn't have to fit exactly. I think slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of the pan (9x4 Pullman in my case) would be fine as it can be moved around just like she does in one of the pans. I'll hunt for one, but if not maybe I can have something fashioned.