William Barsley

Tool Sharpening Workshop

Have you been frustrated by your sharpening? Given sharpening a go but made your edges blunter or not quite getting razor sharp edges??! You're not alone - this is the perfect workshop for you! 

The focus will be on sharpening knives, hook knives and axes for carving by hand on diamond stones. We will also cover chisels, gouges and curved edge tools

Who is it for?

This course is recommended for beginners and intermediate sharpeners - It is immensely empowering learning how to get a sharp edge on your tools - come and give it a go! 

What you’ll learn

Alex will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to continue sharpening and maintaining your tools at home. He breaks down each aspect into simple, repeatable steps, and provide everyone with a sharpening stone and carving knife which you can practice on during the workshop. We'll cover the following:

Sharpening Setups: Diamond Stones / Natural Stones / Appropriate Kit
Bevel Angles, Steel Quality, Tools 
How to sharpen axes, hatchets and carving axes 
How to sharpen curved edge tools and hook knives 
How to sharpen carving Knives

What’s included

• Sharpening Kit
• Practice Knife
• Tea, Coffee & Biscuits Provided

What to bring

Bring your own tools and we will troubleshoot, adjust technique and give you plenty of guidance and support to get your edge tools razor sharp - every time! Sturdy Footwear, flask / Snack and tools if you would like them to be looked at.

Post Workshop Resources

A list of useful links and resources for spoon carving
Opportunities to buy high-quality sharpening set ups and kit 
The chance to buy Alex’s book: Spooncarving: From Log to Spoon
Online Sharpening Masterclass by Alex + Ongoing email support

Additional information

If you need adjustments for mobility or other needs, please reach out. The carving site is a five-minute walk from the parking area. Suitable for Adults (18+) 

Timings:
09:30 - Arrival & Intros (Tea & Coffee)
09:45 - Knife Sharpening
11:00 - Tea Break
11:15 - Hook Knife Sharpening 
12:00 - Axe Sharpening 
12:35 - Tools down, Q&A, Recap
12:45 - Finish (shop open)

Minimum of 6 participants required. If the course is under-booked, it will be rescheduled with at least one week’s notice.