I took every opportunity to learn the wide range of skills needed to earn a living from working in the woods and making products from harvested material. A lot was learnt by trial and error, plenty of practice of course and working with iconic craftsmen such as Coppice Merchant Bill Hogarth. The early woodcraft courses organised for the local community in Gateshead were very well received and seemed like an excellent vehicle to get people of all backgrounds involved with woodlands and woodcraft. The mission was on!
I get a real buzz from passing on the skills and joy of working greenwood to others and also in the early days recruited other well known woodland craftsmen such as Bill Hogarth, swill basket maker Owen Jones, and in 2002 Swedish craftsman Wille Sundqvist ran both a spoons and bowl making course at my first workshop in Co Durham.
Since 2006, in addition to woodcraft courses, WOODSMITH has supplied some of the finest specialist green woodworking tools, often hand-made, books and devices from around the world, carefully selected on the basis of extensive practical experience. Many of these tools available in the Woodsmith's Store are used on WOODSMITH courses and now all on display in our beautiful new shop in Whitley Bay
Conventional woodland work and traditional woodcraft have been the backbone and mainstays of the business, including woodland contracting for the Woodland Trust and local authorities, commercial charcoal and firewood production, and the teaching of woodcraft for the Great North Forest and Houghall College in Durham. Also, all manner of one-off projects from riven oak fencing for the National Trusts Lindisfarne Castle and English Heritage's Belsay Estate to large-scale rustic features in school grounds.
A long time in the planning but our new walk-in SHOP is now open. Our on-line business has been supplying the biggest and best range of greenwoodworking tools, books and devices for more than 10 years but you can now get our stock in your hands before you buy. We have also taken this opportunity to extend our range of tools, books and woodcraft so well worth a visit.
If you need help selecting the best tool for a particular job, or maybe a query about which is a good crook knife to start making spoons with, just phone 0191 252 4064 or
We are always trying out the latest tools and so in most cases can give genuine first-hand advice and opinions.
