Art & Craft of Axes and Hewing

The Art & Craft of Axes is designed for anyone interested in learning the history, anatomy, and practical use of one of the most essential tools in woodworking and timber processing. This course will be beneficial to both beginners and tool use and experienced woodsmen, equipping students with the skills to handle an axe with confidence and precision.

The course begins with a classroom session exploring the history, patterns, and functions of different axe types. Students will gain an understanding not only of the utility of the axe, but of its massive cultural and historic significance. You’ll then build your own custom axe handle and learn how to hang (fit) an axe head, ensuring a properly balanced tool.

Once equipped with your axe, the real work begins. Over the next several days, we’ll walk through timber felling, bucking logs to length basic wood splitting and how to read wood grain. You’ll also learn how to use a broad axe to hew round logs into square timbers, a foundational skill in traditional timber framing.

By the end of this course, the axe will feel like a natural extension of your hands, the practical skills to use it effectively for a lifetime and the confidence to tackle a wide range of traditional woodworking and forestry tasks.

All tools and wood are provided, but students may bring their own axes. If you have an old axe that needs re-hanging, bring it along for a hands-on restoration experience.