Axe Carving Workshop

With skill and practice, an axe can remove an impressive amount of material with precision, allowing carving projects to progress quickly and leaving the finishing work for much smaller hand tools. In fact, many woodworkers consider the axe to be the most fun and efficient tool in the shop! 

 

But sometimes the use of an axe comes with hesitation or even fear. Have no fear! In this class, Alex will teach how to safely carve with an axe using proper body mechanics. Students will build a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and understanding of the relationship between the axe and the wood. 

 

For the last two years, Alex has been invited to teach and collaborate with famed Swedish axe maker Julia Kalthoff in her workshop in Stockholm. We have a classroom set of these axes, which you can choose to try out in this class.

 

You will learn and practice the following skills in this class: chopping, splitting, finer carving, hewing, convex and concave shapes, safety, ergonomics, sharpening, and axe maintenance. This is the perfect course for newer woodworkers, but more advanced carvers will pick up new techniques, tricks and safer habits, too!

 

About the Instructor: Alex Yerks

 

Instructor will provide the following: 

• carving axes

• wood

 

Students are asked to bring:

• Bring your own axe if you have one (not required, we will have some available for use).

• Since your class runs over the lunch hour, we recommend you bring lunch or click HERE to learn about local eating opportunities. 

 

Skill Level 

No experience required. 

 

Age Recommendation 

Students ages 16 and older are welcome to attend this class. Students ages 16 and 17 may attend without a parent/guardian in attendance as long as MMFS is provided with written parental permission by email to info@marinemillsfolkschool.org.

 

Location Details 

Marine Mills Folk School

550 Pine Street

Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

 

Cost Details

Tuition: $150

Materials Fee: $40

Total Cost: $190

 

NOTE: Be aware we may cancel class if a minimum number of registrations is not reached. We work to balance teachers’ need to plan for a class with students’ busy schedules — not an easy task. Please register as early as possible! If interested, you can find our cancellation policy HERE.