Spoon Carving/Green Woodworking

Your tutor will guide you through the process from selecting a log through to a completed spoon. Suitable for complete novices or those who’ve had a go but want to improve. Delicious lunch and woodland tour included.

Mark Saich

Originally trained as a carpenter/joiner, Mark has worked as an eco-builder, sustainable construction consultant and trainer. He has a degree in Environmental Sciences, obtained a post graduate diploma from the Centre of Alternative Technology. He now owns and lives in Walderchain Wood, 23 acres (the venue) of woodland practicing green woodworking and sustainable woodland management.

The session includes:

• Tool review – an overview of the various tools available for spoon carving and similar projects
• Timber selection – what type of wood and what parts of the log are best and what to avoid
• Spoon design – overview of the proportions and features of spoons for different uses
• Cleaving/splitting timber – use of axe and froe for reducing thickness of wood
• Safe and effective axe and knife skills – demonstration and practicing numerous axe and knife techniques to enable you shape timber
• Finishes – information of various types of product to protect

At the end of the session you will leave with all your fingers, a spoon and the confidence to carve on your own.

The classes are hosted within an ancient woodland site. The class is a perfect starting point for anyone thinking about taking up green woodworking or spoon carving and for novice spoon carvers wishing to improve. There is a maximum of 6 places per class.

About the venue:

When the weather permits the classes will be held in a semi-covered woodland clearing in 23 acres of ancient woodland in the Elham Valley, part of the Kent Downs National Landscape. Walderchain Wood is managed to continuously supply timber as a material and fuel, to enhance biodiversity and natural stability and for amenity value.