Sharpening for Green Wood Carvers – Mike Craig

Date: Saturday, 21 March 2026 (1 day)

Price: £100

Maximum number of places: 6

Booking: Contact mcwoodcraftsuk@gmail.com Instagram @mc_woodcrafts

Course Details

This course will cover sharpening the main tools in the green wood carver’s toolbox; Axes, sloyd knives, hooks and gouges, all of which present their own challenges. We will discuss bevel angles, sharpening materials and media and what actually constitutes a sharp edge.

The main body of the course will consist of practical demonstrations and assisting participants to sharpen their own carving tools.

Sharpening materials will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own sharpening kits so that they can learn to use them effectively. Participants are encouraged to bring their carving tools.

Catering:

For all courses, a hearty, healthy lunch is provided (please let your tutor know of any dietary requirements when booking), along with tea, coffee and water. Breakfast and evening meal is self-catered, with firewood and charcoal-based cooking available.

We also provide firewood, brew-kit, washing up and cooking facilities, crockery and cutlery. 

Guests should bring; barbecue food or pans for cooking on a fire for breakfast and evening meals.

Facilities:

Facilities include covered workshop spaces, an undercover outdoor cooking set-up, comfortable compost toilet, plenty of loo roll, and handwashing.  A good stone track leads to the parking area within the wood, this is suitable for cars, please keep speed under 10mph.

Tutor Bio

Mike Craig is a West-Yorkshire based green wood carver and coppice worker. Working in sympathy with the natural properties of freshly cut wood, he hand-carves beautiful spoons, bowls and vessels using traditional tools such as axes, gouges and wood-carving knives.

During his career as a Countryside Management and Arboriculture lecturer and tree surveyor, Mike worked with trees and woodland for over 25 years. Ten years ago, he combined that arboricultural knowledge and teaching experience with his love of working with wood and began teaching green woodwork courses in Yorkshire. In his role asThe Spoon Doctor, Mike has taught at numerous craft festivals up and down the country including The Great Scottish Spoon Hoolie and Spoontown.

Mike loves to teach and has a passion for passing on traditional techniques for working with freshly cut green wood.