Introduction to working unseasoned wood with hand tools
Introduction to the London Green Wood Workshop
Our most in-depth course and one that can be adapted to all levels of experience. Become safe and confident with an axe and a knife, learn to use a shave horse and try pole-lathe turning.
4 days full-time course
=> includes a sloyd knife to keep
Participants are invited to become members of the LGW cooperative workshop after this course.
You will receive instructions on how to apply to be come a member after the course.
Cost
Full price
Low income
Unwaged
Free places available for asylum seekers
Dates
Courses dates are either over a long weekend Thursday-Sunday, or weekly on Fridays.
What happens in this course?
This is a four day course, taught outdoors at our Hackney City Farm workshop. Courses dates are either over a long weekend Thursday-Sunday, or weekly on Fridays. Please check the dates before booking.
This is our most in-depth course and can be adapted to all levels of experience. The aim is for you to become safe and confident with an axe and a knife. You will also have a go with specific green woodwork equipment- shave horses and pole lathes.
This course is designed to give participants an introduction to green woodworking using unseasoned wood straight from the log and hand tools. Suitable for all including: complete beginners, those who have carpentry experience but are new to green woodwork, and those who have done a little green woodwork and would like to learn more.
We will work with locally sourced native hardwoods and give you confidence with basic green woodworking tools and techniques.Through making a series of practice projects, such as spoons and spatulas, you will learn: the principles of green woodwork, how to select and prepare wood, safe and confident axe techniques, knife grips from the Swedish tradition of spoon carving, how to use and shave horse and draw knife, pole-lathe turning and the basics of tool sharpening.
This course is also an induction to the workshop for new members of our coop (annual membership fee £50-£150, not included in the course). You will receive instructions on how to apply to be come a member of London Greenwood after the course.
Included in the price of the course is your own Mora 120 knife to use and to keep.
Limited low income and unwaged discounts are available for this course for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Course Location
Hackney City Farm
Hackney
1a Goldsmith Row
E2 8QALondon
Access to the workshop is through the cafe garden or Haggerston Park (not the Farmyard).
There is no parking on site. There is bike parking within the Farm. Detailed information on arriving by bike, bus, tube and train: https://hackneycityfarm.co.uk/visit/
Things to remember
We have no indoor space and will be working outside in all weathers (under a tarp if it rains) so please come prepared. No sandals or bare feet please. Walking boots or work boots if you can, a thick sole will help to keep your feet warm in cold weather. In winter, fingerless gloves can be good, but no full gloves when working with tools. If you use reading glasses please bring them with you, you will need these when we practice tool sharpening. Also long nails will make everything harder.
Tea and coffee are provided. There is also a cafe onsite.
This course is for over 18yrs only.
If you are a Refugee or Asylum Seeker please contact us before booking to access this class for free.
FAQ’s
Please have a look at our FAQ’s page.