Materials and tools for use in class are provided at no extra charge except as noted, though students are encouraged to bring whatever tools they have and are appropriate to the subject.

Extra wood is available for sale

Knives, gouges, sharpening equipment are available for sale or ordering.

Instructor's Fee: $12/hour per student

Class Size: Minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 12.

1. Introductory Whittling

• 2 hours
• Knife use and safety.
• Whittling strokes.
• Some sharpening.

• Make a flying propeller and a slip bark whistle (in season) and/or a boomerang. (It really comes back!)

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2. Making Roosters 

• 2 hours
• All participants make a rooster from a forked branch.
• Some sharpening instruction given.
• Materials gathering instruction.
• Help finishing the project.

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3. Making A Wooden Spoon 

• 2 hours
• Spoon blanks are provided for making a useful and decorative wooden spoon.
• Instruction in the safe and effective use of the knife, crooked knife, and gouge in making spoons and ladles.
• Instruction in finishing the spoon and making it truly functional.
• Discussion concerning types of wood and material gathering.
• Discussion concerning functional spoon design
• Additional spoon blanks will be available for sale.

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4. Whittling Wooden Chains (and other intricate projects) 

• 2 hours
• Demonstration, instruction and practice at making a chain out of one piece of wood.
• Demonstration and instruction on making a ball in a cage out of one piece of wood.
• Instruction and discussion of knives, sharpening, types of wood etc. for such projects.
• Help with sharpening.

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5. Making Fanned Tail Hummingbirds and Peacocks 

• 2 Hours
• Instruction, demonstration and practice at making beautiful and intricate birds out of one piece of wood using only a pocket knife.
• Discussion of wood gathering.
• Instruction and demonstration on coloring the birds.
• Help given with sharpening when necessary.
• Wood will be available for sale.

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6. Sharpening  

• 2 Hours
• Learn to put a shaving sharp edge on knives, chisels, and carving tools.
• Demonstration, instruction, and practice in the use of sharpening stones, and strops to make cutting edges really sharp, and useful for woodworking projects.
• Demonstration and practice in the use of the "Razor Edge" power sharpening system.
• Students need to bring their own knives etc. to sharpen (Kitchen knives are o.k.)
• This class would be useful for people who don't do woodwork but want sharp knives in the kitchen etc.
• Stones and other sharpening materials will be for sale.

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7. Relief Carved Footstool  

• 3 hours
• Each participant makes a footstool out of a split log - drilling holes, whittling legs, smoothing the top, then carves a simple design, eg. flower, fish, or ? in the top.
• This serves as an integration of whittling and carving techniques using both the knife and carving gouges to produce a useful item of furniture that includes a relief carving.
• The safe and effective use of carving gouges is taught and practiced.
• This course costs an extra $5 per student.
• Additional materials are available for sale.
• Tools are available for use.
• Tools are available for sale or ordering.

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8. Carving St. Nick  

• 3 hours
• Instruction, demonstration, and guided practice at carving a traditional St. Nicholas or Father Christmas.
• One wooden blank is provided.
• Safe use of the tools is stressed.
• Discussion of types of wood to use.
• Demonstration of some variations on the basic theme.
• Discussion and display of finishing ideas.
• Additional wood blanks are available for sale.

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9. Carving Walking Sticks and Hiking Staves  

• 4 hours
• Instruction, demonstration and guidance in making a really unique walking stick with a face in it
• Juniper and other species of wooden sticks will be available for an additional charge. ($5-$10)
• Some carving gouges will be required to do this project, though it could be done with just the knife.

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10. Carving a Juniper "Mountain Man" (Woodspirit)  

• 4 hours
• Instruction and help in carving a bearded face out of a juniper log.
• Logs must be purchased at a cost of $10-$20 or supplied by the student.
• Carving tools are a must.
• Extra wood, tools and reference books will be available for sale.
• Workbenches or at least "Workmates" are essential for this project.