Martin Damen - Maker of Hand-carved Spoons & Bowls reviews

19 Sep 17'

Michael W reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Excellent course. Just the right degree of stretch to provide a sense of having learned a great deal, and of achievement, without feeling at all stressful. Good lunches and good company. A weekend very well spent. If, like me, you have not been in an explicitly "learning" environment for while, it is fascinating to watch yourself doing so, under Martin's expert and tactful tuition."

18 Sep 17'

MartinW reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"I absolutely recommend this course to anyone who has a desire to learn about, and try their hand at, spoon carving! Martin is the consummate host and teacher. He has set up the whole environment to put his small groups of students at ease and allow them to learn safe knife and axe skills - and to walk away with their own-made butter spreader and spoon ... and, if or group is anything to go by, a desire to do more :-) Martin demonstrates every task that you will undertake and is always there to quietly help out when/if you get stuck and to let you get on your way again. Oh, and ... great lunches are provided too! I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone with a desire to explore the world of greenwood carving to get themselves booked in on one of Martin's courses!"

30 Aug 17'

Matthew reviewed: Whittling course

"Aug 17 Great course - just 4 of us so very personal. Everything provided in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Plenty of breaks for tea / coffee, great lunch all homemade. Results from the day far exceed my expectations - would highly recommend"

2 Jun 17'

Sarah reviewed: Whittling course

"I had a great course last weekend 27/28 May. Thank you Martin for your warm welcome, patient teaching, hospitality and generosity of time. It was good to come back with such detailed notes, knife, a finished spoon and some wood. I am inspired to keep carving! It was a perfect setting in Martin's workshop and a lovely group, so thanks too to my fellow three students."

29 May 17'

Vincent reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Excellent course. I really liked the relaxed atmosphere, and the level of supervision you get. (A group of only 4 students). The course notes are provided. This is very useful. Martin is very serious about safety too. As a bonus yummy home made cooked lunches. Thanks Martin!"

22 Mar 17'

Paul reviewed: Whittling course

"I attended Martin's Spoon carving course on the weekend of the 18/19 March '17. This course is highly recommended, whether you are a complete novice or have some experience. Martin is an excellent tutor, with a calm and patient style. The workshop is a very tranquil space with stunning views over the surrounding countryside. The course covers, Health and Safety, tool selection care and use, sharpening,wood types to use and those to avoid,and finishing. The teaching starts with basic knife cuts on Hazel sticks, moving on to axe work and the making of the first project, a butter spreader. The second day is devoted to making a spoon, which introduces the crook knife. I came away happy to work on my own, in safety, with Knife and Axe and more importantly enthusiasm. An excellent set of course notes is provided. Finally, the lunches are excellent! Thank you Martin. Paul."

15 Mar 17'

Mac reviewed: Whittling course

"Landed a place on Martin's course 12th March - was exceptionally impressed with his approach to tutoring safe knife handling and the cuts used to remove material & achieve the desired form. The day is well structured with enough pauses to let the lessons bed in & your hands recover between the core skills & project pieces. Throughout the day you are observed & guided with quick warnings whenever you stray into doing anything remotely risky and helpful pointers to get you working in the safest/most effective way come thick & fast. Lunch being part of the package was known to me before going, but, what a lunch!! (not the stale sandwiches & canned desserts you'd normally expect - Martin served us a very good, wholesome and home cooked lunch topped off with delicious cake) I'd strongly recommend the whittling & knife-skills course to absolute beginners as well as those that are comfortable with knife-work & looking to hone their technique... Personally, I'm already looking at dates to see when I can return to attend the longer course that covers spoon-carving!"

11 Mar 17'

Elizabeth Bond reviewed: Whittling course

"This is a great introduction to knife work. Martin covers all the safety aspects of the key cuts and you have a chance to practice them. We then moved on to little projects to consolidate our knowledge. Throughout the day Martin carefully monitors your work and will stop you if you are unsafe, getting you back on track. He also makes a mean boiled fruit cake. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone interested in woodwork."

8 Mar 17'

Paul reviewed: Whittling course

"Many thanks to Martin for a wonderful day teaching us the art of whittling, his patience and demonstrating the techniques with a knife were the key to our first effort results of 3 items. All issues of safety were well covered. Lovely lunch. I have found a new hobby. Strongly recommend the course. Paul."

7 Mar 17'

Ian reviewed: Whittling course

"Had a fantastic day learning and producing some fun articles on Martin's course. My father and my two sons all thoroughly enjoyed it. It was very hard to fault any part of Martin's course, approach or friendliness. If you have an interest in this and want to learn the basics including correct techniques - so important to safely handling the very sharp knives involved - then I really can't recommend this course enough. We made a butter knife, fork and a fully working whistle over the day. The course included a nice lunch including getting in some gluten free options which was appreciated. Thanks Martin - a great day."

16 Feb 17'

Ed Kroon reviewed: Whittling course

"Me and my wife went for a course at Martins beautiful house. Specially the kitchen is a special place which breathes history. A warm welcome by a friendly man. Lots of stories by a man who knows his skills. Not only his whittling, but also his cooking is great. Got me interested in something I never thought about. We really enjoyed our stay at Martins course, and we warmly recommend this course to anyone who likes working with his hands and is interested in crafts. Ed and Jolanda. Rotterdam, Holland."

14 Feb 17'

Sarah Eley reviewed: Whittling course

"I spent the whole day with my 12-year-old grandson at Martin's workshop and enjoyed it very much. My grandson said all the way home that he had a wonderful time (and I think he would really like to come again). Martin was very clear in his explanations and gently showed Justin how to work and what not to do (eg leave his knife without a cover) which was really helpful. The soup at lunch was delicious too."

26 Sep 16'

Juliet Hartis reviewed: Whittling course

"Great course, really enjoyable day!"

26 Sep 16'

Andy Daniels reviewed: Whittling course

"Really enjoyed the course I found it interesting and enjoyable from start to finish. Martins relaxed and welcoming attitude sets you at ease from the moment you arrive. After going over the basics you are soon engrossed in whittling your own little project and the time flies by. Martin explains everything in detail and is happy to go over anything you can't quite get the hang off, which in my case was much appreciated. With only four people on the course it all adds up to a relaxed and friendly atmosphere."

26 Sep 16'

Tracey reviewed: Whittling course

"I booked this day course well in advance as it is understandably very popular. Martins friendly yet professional approach was perfect. The small class size meant you had his full attention. All the relevant skills and safety aspects are explained and then each stage put into practice I felt confident to continue in this very pleasant hobby or pastime on my own. The location is charming lunch very tasty in a lovely relaxed atmosphere Highly recommend. Thanks Martin"

13 Sep 16'

Mrs Elizabeth Bond reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"I had never worked with wood before and thoroughly enjoyed this course. We made a butter knife on day one and a spoon on day two. Martin's teaching is very patient, thorough and clear, especially on health and safety and good tool technique. I feel really pleased with my spoon and feel confident to have a go at the techniques I have learnt at home. I would recommend this course+++"

12 Sep 16'

Brian Goodey reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Morning after Martin's spoon making course, coping with upper body aches so it must have been good exercise. Never too old to learn to do something properly what I wanted from Martin's course was a safe introduction to the effective use of axe and knife for shaping and carving techniques previously assembled at random. The course provided exactly what Martin advertised in a small group (4) workshop situation. Everything and especially hands on advice were good, though inevitably time ran out Martin is a committed creative craftsman who leaves you with new knowledge and respect for edges, and evidence of your work to amaze relatives who wondered what you were doing. A full value weekend ... the Clarksonesque observations are worth waiting for."

12 Sep 16'

Pat reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"We enjoyed the whittling course so much last year, we booked the spoon making course and weren't disappointed. Fascinating, practical and great fun to learn, Martin shares his green wood skills with enthusiasm and care and helps you to achieve so much in a very short time. All tools, materials and ideas are provided; along with fab home cooked food to make the time really enjoyable and relaxing."

27 Jul 16'

Tom Bartlett reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Two very enjoyable days learning spoon carving. Martin is a great teacher, very patient and enthusiastic. Put on a good lunch with plenty of tea and biscuits. The course has given me a really good grounding in the basics of carving, I started as soon as I got home! Thoroughly recommended."

16 May 16'

Jen reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Just had a lovely weekend learning spoon carving with Martin. He is a patient teacher, and as people have said an excellent cook too. He taught in a logical, calm way, with a basis of safety so that not one of the four of us needed plasters. He teaches skills and how to handle different scenarios (twisty wood, knots, splits etc) rather than a formulaic approach, and he uses the minimum of kit rather than trying to make you buy loads of stuff (though of course I want a lovely carving axe now!). Also his house and the countryside are beautiful. You can visit his studio in Artweeks if you want to meet him before signing up for a course, but I would heartily recommend his tuition, and I think the price is very reasonable for two days of expert tuition, materials and a knife, a mini sharpening course, plus extra wood to take home and practice on, and of course the lunch! We ate soup with Martin's handmade spoons. All in all, great fun, and we made real, usable implements."

21 Mar 16'

Ian watkins reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Just completed the two day course with Martin , a thoroughly enjoyable weekend. could not ask for better tuition given at just the right speed, so that anyone could follow now matter what skill level they are at , the home made soup bread and boiled fruit are to die for, I would highly recommend this course if you'd like to learn a new skill"

21 Mar 16'

Mark reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Just spent the weekend doing this course and would highly recommend it. The course is excellent value and the teaching pace just right. You come away with 2 completed projects, spare wood, a knife and you will have had two great homemade lunches too. What more could you want. It would make a great present for someone too."

15 Dec 15'

John Bone reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"I recently attended one of Martin's weekend spoon carving courses. This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Martin is an excellent tutor and the course has the right balance of practical work to theory. As an absolute beginner, to be able to produce a spoon and butter knife from a block of wood using only traditional craft skills gave me a great deal of satisfaction and says a lot for Martin's teaching skills. This is a course I highly recommend. Martin has to be applauded for maintaining and passing on these traditional craft skills. Jonh Bone"

9 Nov 15'

Simon reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Martin is an excellent teacher, highly skilled craftsmen and thoughtful carving artist The whole event was very well run without pressure but with a sense of determination and destiny - you take your spoon and butter knife home, dry it and use it… All tools are supplied and are excellent standard and very well sharpened-aGond Martin provides a detailed background on all of the steps and materials used. I really enjoyed my weekend here, And Martin is not only an excellent teacher but a generous and welcoming host."

9 Nov 15'

Toby reviewed: Spoon carving (Two Day)

"Very good course, well taught. Martin's approach was excellent, the tuition was at a good pace with plenty of practical time. He was always always happy to help out if asked but also happy to let you get on with making you own mistakes! Well organised too – lovely lunches both days."

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