William Barsley

Intro to Tool Sharpening Workshop

Sharpening is not a dark art! This workshop will teach you how to begin mastering sharpening spoon carving and green wood work tools. We will learn to sharpen a carving knife, hook knife, and an axe. I will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to begin sharpening and maintaining your tools at home 

Who is it for?

This course is recommended for complete beginners who have never sharpened their through to people who have given sharpening a go but are stuck in a rut. It is immensely empowering learning how to get a sharp edge on your tools - come and give it a go!

What you’ll learn

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

With a structured approach, you'll quickly learn how to determine which sharpening kit and techniques to apply to get your tools from blunt to razor sharp

What’s included

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

What to bring

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.