Description
The Tool Use and Maintenance Workshop is a practical half-day experience designed to help participants care for, sharpen, and use their bushcraft tools with confidence and skill. Running from 09:00 to 13:00, this focused workshop offers clear, hands-on instruction in a relaxed and supportive environment. Group sizes are kept to a maximum of eight participants, ensuring close guidance and plenty of opportunity to ask questions and receive individual feedback. The workshop is suitable for those aged 16 and over, with under-18s welcome when accompanied by an adult. By the end of the morning, participants will have a deeper understanding of their tools, improved sharpening technique, and the confidence to maintain safe, effective edges for continued use in the woods. Looking After the Tools That Look After You: A well-maintained tool is safer, more efficient, and far more enjoyable to use. During this workshop, experienced instructors guide participants through the principles of tool care, focusing on practical methods that can be applied at home or in the field. Participants are encouraged to bring their own knives and axes, allowing instruction to be directly relevant to the tools they already own and use. Working with familiar equipment helps demystify sharpening and maintenance, replacing guesswork with clear, repeatable processes. Instruction covers: - Understanding edge geometry and how it affects cutting performance. - Maintaining a consistent, razor-sharp edge. - Sharpening techniques for knives and axes. - Identifying and correcting common edge damage. - Basic tool maintenance to prolong working life. The emphasis is on developing good habits that keep tools performing reliably rather than chasing perfection. Safe Use and Practical Technique: Alongside sharpening and maintenance, the workshop also focuses on safe and efficient tool use. Instructors demonstrate a range of practical carving grips and cutting techniques, explaining how correct body position, grip, and awareness reduce fatigue and minimise risk. Participants have the opportunity to practise these techniques under supervision, building confidence and control while working with edged tools. A Supportive Learning Environment: The workshop is held at our World of Bushcraft Centre in the Peak District, providing a comfortable and well-equipped setting for focused learning. Tea and coffee are provided, helping to create a relaxed atmosphere where discussion and shared experience are encouraged. Only paid participants will have resources allocated for hands-on participation. Under-18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. In Summary: The Tool Use and Maintenance Workshop provides a practical foundation in caring for and using bushcraft tools properly. Participants leave with sharper tools, safer techniques, and the confidence to maintain their equipment independently—ensuring their tools continue to serve them well in the woods. This workshop is ideal for anyone looking to improve tool performance, develop safe working habits, or gain a clearer understanding of how to look after essential bushcraft equipment.
What's included in the price?
All materials needed for the workshop plus tea and coffee.
Duration
4 hours
Cancellation policy
Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts
Maker
We are first and foremost a leading bushcraft company employing a small close knit and highly experienced team of individuals. Together we hope to bring you the very best in Bushcraft & Survival Courses both in the UK and overseas bushcraft training courses and experiences. Over the years since Woodland Ways' inception we have become widely recognised for the diversity of courses we operate and the utmost attention to detail and professionalism imparted on those courses. Our delivery of activities on courses has safety, enjoyment and learning at the forefront of everything we do. By an appropriate blend of explanation, demonstration and participation you will be encouraged to gain as much hands on experience of bushcraft as possible. We operate courses the year round in a range of outdoor arenas from our own diverse British woodlands, to the far flung reaches of the African bush and the wilder places of Europe. The natural environment supports us, inspires us and is fundamental to our businesses success. As such we have a very strong message of environmental sustainability and sensitivity. Woodland management and respect of flora and fauna feature throughout all of our courses. Our ethos is designed to show you how to have a minimum reliance on modern materials and equipment and instead to really work with nature and her seasonal variability for your comfort and needs out of doors. It is important for us to clearly state we do not promote heavy handed boot camp approaches to our activities and neither do we rely on a more spiritual ethos (although we respect both traditions) rather we see ourselves as non-romantic, practical woods people. We want you to leave our bushcraft courses with a new skill set and great memories.
Suitable for
- Adults
- Parking provided
- Suitable for beginners
- Intermediate level
FAQs
There are many reasons we can give, and several are mentioned below but the first one is customer reviews. A lot of businesses will select reviews to display on their web sites, but it’s easy to cherry pick the best and display them prominently, we’re more confident. Take a look at our Google reviews, we have no control to cherry pick the best but are proud of what we achieve - take a look.
You can see bushcraft skills on the internet, but you really gain the skills and confidence by experiencing them for real with our team on hand to guide you through the learning process in a safe environment. Our dedicated instructors have honed their knowledge and skills through real-life, practical application and then draw on this experience to teach you the skills that enable adventures of your own. The breadth and depth of knowledge of a Woodland Ways Instructor far exceeds the content of a given course, and the structure and design of the courses gently pushes you to find a new comfort zone, becoming comfortable in the wild and with new skills.
You will be surrounded and guided by like minded people, and you will learn skills that are not only practical and enjoyable but also build a great deal of respect for the lives and skill sets of our ancestors stretching back to the beginnings of humanity. Once we’ve taught you something, that information is yours. If you forget something a week, a month, a year or 10 down the line, get in touch and we’ll be glad to go through it with you.
