Price £110

Maximum number of places 8

Book Contact mcwoodcraftsuk@gmail.com or Instagram @mc_woodcrafts

Course Details

On this one-day spoon carving improvers course you will be carving a cranked eating spoon from a log using carving axes, knives and hook knives.

Topics covered in the day will include: timber choices for spoon carving; eating spoon design and correct placement of the crank; advanced axe and knife techniques for more efficient carving and the “triple S” method for finishing cuts. Decoration and oiling will also be discussed.

The aim is that regardless of level you will leave the course with improved skills and techniques to continue your spoon carving journey.

Tools used on your day will include axes, straight wood carving knives and hook knives. The correct techniques of using these tools and working with green wood will be developed during the day. Throughout the course a strong emphasis will be placed on safety.

All tools and materials are provided on the courses, but you are welcome to bring your own tools.

This course is suitable for those who have previously attended a spoon carving course or have been carving long enough to happily carve a cooking spoon. Basic axe and knife grips will not be covered during this course. If you have no previous spoon carving experience sign up for one of my Introduction to Spoon Carving courses (11th April 2026 at Ellekers Wood) which is suitable for beginners and covers basic axe and knife grips.

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.

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

Facilities:

Facilities include covered work 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 as The 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.