Bushcraft Courses
Join us at our stunning oak canopied private woodland set within the Harewood Estate of West Yorkshire. Our canopied basecamp and a wood fire ensure our clients keep dry and the kettle is always boiling so bring along your favourite brew.
All of our sessions are run with a maximum of 10 people, that way we can maintain a low presence in the forest in order to experience Nature up close. The small group sizes also ensure a high level of interaction with the instructor, we'll get plenty of one to one tuition through the workshops to develop your skills at your own pace.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, we're very open and there's no obligations.
Fieldcraft Metal Working - A weekend making your own tools
Fieldcraft Metal Working - A weekend making your own tools
This fantastic course from Adam Logan at A.Woodsman sees us spend the weekend transforming the campfire into a metal working studio as we craft our own Mocotaugan, chisel and awl in the woods.
The crooked knife, the “Mocotaugan” in Cree, is fantastic example of elegance and understanding shaped by the knowledge of natural materials. This tool has been used to make canoes and paddles, baskets and bark craft for centuries.
Join us to make your own, and take home a tool kit fit for any adventure in the forest.
WHAT’S COVERED:
The history of the tool explained and examples of algonquin style Mocotaugans. Demonstration of use contrasted with the European draw knife and shave horse.
Run through of material components of the tool - metals for the blade, carved and branch-fork handles, pitches and root bindings.
Operating a basic camp fire forge with improvised bellows. Use of charcoal and hard wood coals.
Basic metal working principles of annealing, shaping with files, making bends, quenching, tempering before final cleaning and sharpenig of the blade.
Handling the finished blade with a choice of modern epoxy or foeld expedient pine resin or birch tar. Wrapped with wire, cord or roots.
Additionally this course will look at some simple chisel making again using old files as well as how to create an awl useful in either hide or bark work.
The emphasis of this style of tool making is on what can be achieved away from the modern workshop with all its electric powered convenience, staying true to the origins of the tool's production in North America.
We will ensure the tool has safe home by providing a long strap of buckskin to wrap the blade when not in use ensuring it keeps it edge during travel.
DETAILS:
3pm Friday - 4.30pm Sunday
£295 per person
Please note the terms and conditions before you book
A Mocotaugan, Chisel and Awl is made and taken home by each adult attending the course.
Small group size with a maximum of 8 guests to ensure we create a subtle atmosphere in the woods, and you get a very high interaction time with the instructor.
A full kit list is given out on booking, but you won't need much more than a sleeping bag and warm clothing.
This course is fully catered starting with the evening meal on the Friday, and finishing with lunch on Sunday. Please inform us of any dietary requirements, we're happy to cater to any needs.
Due the involved nature of this course, we don't feel its suitable to under 16 year olds (please ask if you have any questions)
Under 18's must be accompanied by a participating adult
Run in a beautiful private woodland just outside Harrogate in Yorkshire. We'll send you exact directions with the booking pack.
Lead Instructor: Adam Logan
Second Instructor: Jamie Dakota
