WEDNESDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2012
Westonbirt National Arboretum...
Well.
There you go.
This is what happens when two fellas take a biggish tent and some axes and stumps into a wet field at Treefest, national arboretum Westonbirt, and carve things.
Sean Hellman and I win best in show.
Best what in show ?
I'll leave that to your own imagination.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKiV1EF3qro/UEdlfaDk7VI/AAAAAAAAFFE/ylGxylHF8iI/s320/399672_346575765430318_647300127_n.jpg)
Whilst at Treefest I met up with my mate Darren from Morgans wood.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXVqW9UIRLY/UEdprPjvZoI/AAAAAAAAFF4/oyHZpvWMz2M/s320/Westonbirt+015.jpg)
He is a clever old stick who can make all manor of wooden objects and furniture for both house and garden.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xXTJTsg7qMw/UEdqBbVw2cI/AAAAAAAAFGA/8jSCjDLMcT0/s320/Westonbirt+019.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddWw7zT6bJI/UEdqHmb_qJI/AAAAAAAAFGI/WNJcmLNcbuc/s320/Westonbirt+021.jpg)
Both Sean and Darren use all manor of tooling for there work.
And I am always struck when watching craftsmen process wood using tools that I personally have no skill with, as you know, I limit myself to three edge tools for my Kuksa and Spoon carving.
Imagine my excitement when I watched a demonstration from Steve Woodley.
He, like me, uses an axe as a prime tool for his work.
But way up at the other end of the scale...
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5Ld9ELbWGs/UEdutG4aoRI/AAAAAAAAFG8/c29i8xOfD0A/s320/Westonbirt+034.jpg)
Here he is cleaning of bark from a selected timber length with a Swedish draw knife.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-schjBtABh3Y/UEduusIvZfI/AAAAAAAAFHE/nQjJGw3QmlA/s320/Westonbirt+036.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJI1JJhTarI/UEduvzeRxUI/AAAAAAAAFHM/qh-hiYhIEdE/s320/Westonbirt+037.jpg)
And toshing in the log dogs that will keep the log firmly attached to the horses.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuD4Yd5J9PA/UEduw3wUf3I/AAAAAAAAFHQ/FnwsNS3j1Z0/s320/Westonbirt+040.jpg)
Steve spends his time travelling the world teaching and demonstrating his skills, I bet some of my friends in the United States would love to hire him for demonstrations and classes.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uk83mV8BuOI/UEdxI1pXiMI/AAAAAAAAFHc/5ImAw6yCAN8/s320/Westonbirt+060.jpg)
Steve marks out a top line with a chalked line.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmFjrUFeyIM/UEdxKpe6I6I/AAAAAAAAFHk/zVARSnq6E60/s320/Westonbirt+061.jpg)
And then chops 'V' cuts along the log.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXUqcAVsCdU/UEdxL6oBn7I/AAAAAAAAFHs/_Q0FuPPhe-g/s320/Westonbirt+062.jpg)
Here you can see him using a two lugged bearded broad axe.
A design that hails from the seventh century.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0eygdIv_Ho/UEdxNn5GE2I/AAAAAAAAFH0/gHRJvmcnILA/s320/Westonbirt+063.jpg)
Most of Steve's historic axes are made by Gransfors .
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g7VUxQlPcsk/UEdxPH21fbI/AAAAAAAAFH8/av5joYsLtHk/s320/Westonbirt+064.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ4AK9cke2k/UEdxQbRlJtI/AAAAAAAAFIE/owdIIVqjb6o/s320/Westonbirt+065.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIMf0A5YXYo/UEdxR4h8XbI/AAAAAAAAFIM/XSuNKQUO-Hs/s320/Westonbirt+067.jpg)
Once he has finished chopping out with the bearded axe he swaps axes and starts in with a Swedish broad axe.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kYjFVR09bA/UEdzvvtqbBI/AAAAAAAAFIU/cx3tcWRJrMo/s320/Westonbirt+073.jpg)
From memory the axe he uses is double bevelled with a canted handle that allows plenty of room for his hands between the helve and the work.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQMgqLHYuc4/UEdzxaP6umI/AAAAAAAAFIc/I7Ui8PQNGKI/s320/Westonbirt+079.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msMuvOcoe4s/UEdzywugTII/AAAAAAAAFIk/6hoQnw7TJoo/s320/Westonbirt+080.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vszutiIkGTY/UEdz1lTlZrI/AAAAAAAAFI0/VXc1dx1CdfA/s320/Westonbirt+082.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xOPNVbqgx0E/UEdz4x4VF3I/AAAAAAAAFJE/D9AGBAOyE3s/s320/Westonbirt+084.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwlLQVeIWn4/UEdz6-8OTGI/AAAAAAAAFJM/rANbR7bv8Rw/s320/Westonbirt+087.jpg)
It's hard work and I needed a sit down...
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xWSDMUAOd5Q/UEd2YzIF1rI/AAAAAAAAFKA/pAtSB56Wbjc/s320/Westonbirt+088.jpg)
Well, that's two faces finished.
Steve finishes the faces with a axe from Transylvania.
This is one of his favourite axes, unfortunately it has a small crack appearing at the tight right angle of the beard.
I will give him Chris Grants contact details and see if they can get it sorted.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaNO7h3C7iE/UEd26yJ2s5I/AAAAAAAAFKI/7cxmfXpxc6A/s320/Westonbirt+101.jpg)
As you can see, it's a big old broad side axe.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j-CO1rSt9AY/UEd4DpQf6aI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/yOZTCegQgIc/s320/Westonbirt+104.jpg)
Job done...
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRY6IJpZr3I/UEd4vtmBluI/AAAAAAAAFKY/wtY9vHxFy7k/s320/Westonbirt+111.jpg)
Who needs a mill....
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJdjtT5es_w/UEd4w-tocdI/AAAAAAAAFKg/BpBlQkomXDI/s320/Westonbirt+112.jpg)
Or a plane, when you can have a Steve ?
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IERMq85Klpw/UEd4yp3mqFI/AAAAAAAAFKo/miN_nOCzB9Q/s320/Westonbirt+119.jpg)
Steve regularly travels abroad to pass on his skills at many organised country fairs and shows, why not give him a shout ?
Steve Woodley can be contacted via his web site at... Hand Crafted Timber
His work is included in a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon building at Weststow
Enjoy...
J.
Westonbirt National Arboretum...
Well.
There you go.
This is what happens when two fellas take a biggish tent and some axes and stumps into a wet field at Treefest, national arboretum Westonbirt, and carve things.
Sean Hellman and I win best in show.
Best what in show ?
I'll leave that to your own imagination.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKiV1EF3qro/UEdlfaDk7VI/AAAAAAAAFFE/ylGxylHF8iI/s320/399672_346575765430318_647300127_n.jpg)
Whilst at Treefest I met up with my mate Darren from Morgans wood.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXVqW9UIRLY/UEdprPjvZoI/AAAAAAAAFF4/oyHZpvWMz2M/s320/Westonbirt+015.jpg)
He is a clever old stick who can make all manor of wooden objects and furniture for both house and garden.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xXTJTsg7qMw/UEdqBbVw2cI/AAAAAAAAFGA/8jSCjDLMcT0/s320/Westonbirt+019.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddWw7zT6bJI/UEdqHmb_qJI/AAAAAAAAFGI/WNJcmLNcbuc/s320/Westonbirt+021.jpg)
Both Sean and Darren use all manor of tooling for there work.
And I am always struck when watching craftsmen process wood using tools that I personally have no skill with, as you know, I limit myself to three edge tools for my Kuksa and Spoon carving.
Imagine my excitement when I watched a demonstration from Steve Woodley.
He, like me, uses an axe as a prime tool for his work.
But way up at the other end of the scale...
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A5Ld9ELbWGs/UEdutG4aoRI/AAAAAAAAFG8/c29i8xOfD0A/s320/Westonbirt+034.jpg)
Here he is cleaning of bark from a selected timber length with a Swedish draw knife.
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-schjBtABh3Y/UEduusIvZfI/AAAAAAAAFHE/nQjJGw3QmlA/s320/Westonbirt+036.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mJI1JJhTarI/UEduvzeRxUI/AAAAAAAAFHM/qh-hiYhIEdE/s320/Westonbirt+037.jpg)
And toshing in the log dogs that will keep the log firmly attached to the horses.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LuD4Yd5J9PA/UEduw3wUf3I/AAAAAAAAFHQ/FnwsNS3j1Z0/s320/Westonbirt+040.jpg)
Steve spends his time travelling the world teaching and demonstrating his skills, I bet some of my friends in the United States would love to hire him for demonstrations and classes.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uk83mV8BuOI/UEdxI1pXiMI/AAAAAAAAFHc/5ImAw6yCAN8/s320/Westonbirt+060.jpg)
Steve marks out a top line with a chalked line.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmFjrUFeyIM/UEdxKpe6I6I/AAAAAAAAFHk/zVARSnq6E60/s320/Westonbirt+061.jpg)
And then chops 'V' cuts along the log.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXUqcAVsCdU/UEdxL6oBn7I/AAAAAAAAFHs/_Q0FuPPhe-g/s320/Westonbirt+062.jpg)
Here you can see him using a two lugged bearded broad axe.
A design that hails from the seventh century.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0eygdIv_Ho/UEdxNn5GE2I/AAAAAAAAFH0/gHRJvmcnILA/s320/Westonbirt+063.jpg)
Most of Steve's historic axes are made by Gransfors .
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g7VUxQlPcsk/UEdxPH21fbI/AAAAAAAAFH8/av5joYsLtHk/s320/Westonbirt+064.jpg)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJ4AK9cke2k/UEdxQbRlJtI/AAAAAAAAFIE/owdIIVqjb6o/s320/Westonbirt+065.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIMf0A5YXYo/UEdxR4h8XbI/AAAAAAAAFIM/XSuNKQUO-Hs/s320/Westonbirt+067.jpg)
Once he has finished chopping out with the bearded axe he swaps axes and starts in with a Swedish broad axe.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kYjFVR09bA/UEdzvvtqbBI/AAAAAAAAFIU/cx3tcWRJrMo/s320/Westonbirt+073.jpg)
From memory the axe he uses is double bevelled with a canted handle that allows plenty of room for his hands between the helve and the work.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQMgqLHYuc4/UEdzxaP6umI/AAAAAAAAFIc/I7Ui8PQNGKI/s320/Westonbirt+079.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msMuvOcoe4s/UEdzywugTII/AAAAAAAAFIk/6hoQnw7TJoo/s320/Westonbirt+080.jpg)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vszutiIkGTY/UEdz1lTlZrI/AAAAAAAAFI0/VXc1dx1CdfA/s320/Westonbirt+082.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xOPNVbqgx0E/UEdz4x4VF3I/AAAAAAAAFJE/D9AGBAOyE3s/s320/Westonbirt+084.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwlLQVeIWn4/UEdz6-8OTGI/AAAAAAAAFJM/rANbR7bv8Rw/s320/Westonbirt+087.jpg)
It's hard work and I needed a sit down...
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xWSDMUAOd5Q/UEd2YzIF1rI/AAAAAAAAFKA/pAtSB56Wbjc/s320/Westonbirt+088.jpg)
Well, that's two faces finished.
Steve finishes the faces with a axe from Transylvania.
This is one of his favourite axes, unfortunately it has a small crack appearing at the tight right angle of the beard.
I will give him Chris Grants contact details and see if they can get it sorted.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qaNO7h3C7iE/UEd26yJ2s5I/AAAAAAAAFKI/7cxmfXpxc6A/s320/Westonbirt+101.jpg)
As you can see, it's a big old broad side axe.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j-CO1rSt9AY/UEd4DpQf6aI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/yOZTCegQgIc/s320/Westonbirt+104.jpg)
Job done...
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRY6IJpZr3I/UEd4vtmBluI/AAAAAAAAFKY/wtY9vHxFy7k/s320/Westonbirt+111.jpg)
Who needs a mill....
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJdjtT5es_w/UEd4w-tocdI/AAAAAAAAFKg/BpBlQkomXDI/s320/Westonbirt+112.jpg)
Or a plane, when you can have a Steve ?
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IERMq85Klpw/UEd4yp3mqFI/AAAAAAAAFKo/miN_nOCzB9Q/s320/Westonbirt+119.jpg)
Steve regularly travels abroad to pass on his skills at many organised country fairs and shows, why not give him a shout ?
Steve Woodley can be contacted via his web site at... Hand Crafted Timber
His work is included in a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon building at Weststow
Enjoy...
J.