This is a beginners wood carving course that will instill the basics of carving using hand tools.  Learn how to carve a butter knife!  This is a two day course (two days in a row) that focuses on learning basic hand carving techniques using a carving axe and carving knife.  

Day 1:  Learn about wood types, selection for carving, and how to navigate wood grain. The carving axe used in the course was designed and is made in Sweden by Kalthoff Axes, and is the premier carving axe used by hand carvers.  Using this one handed tool, we will chip away at a large piece of Box Elder wood to create a butter knife “blank”.  The blank is a thick form of what we will then carve with the straight (slöjd) knife.  At the end of class, you’ll have created Knife Blanks that will be used next class to create two Butter Knives!

Day 2:  Learn the three carving grips necessary to safely and effectively use the slöjd knife. Practice carving techniques and transform our blanks into refined and finished Butter Knives.  We will also learn & apply different finishing techniques, such as sanding, burnishing, and oil selection. 

What You Will Learn:

• Introduction to carving tools and their uses
• Basic axe handling techniques and safety protocols
• How to select and prepare a wood round for carving
• Techniques for shaping knife blanks using an axe
• Best practices for maintaining tools
• Tips for transitioning to knife carving for finishing touches
• Techniques for safely and effectively using a carving knife
• Wood selection and preparation for carving
• Understanding wood grain and its impact on carving
• Step-by-step process of transforming a blank into a knife
• Tips for finishing and polishing

Please Note:

• No experience necessary
• This course is the ideal prerequisite for the Intermediate Wood Carving course where you make a spoon.
• All tools are provided by the instructor, and both the Axe and Slöjd knife are available for purchase.  
• This style of carving can prove very fun and addictive!

Workshop Attire & Requirements:

• Closed-toed shoes
• Long pants preferred
• A way to secure long hair
• If the weather permits, we’ll be outside—dress in layers.
• Students must be at least 16 years of age. Minors must have parental permission and a signed waiver (ask us).