Woodworking Class: 18th Century Wood Carving with Kaare Loftheim (2 Days)

If your desired class becomes sold out click here to get added to the wait list. People may cancel, we may add more slots, or we may decide to add another class date if enough students request it.

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Over two days wood carving students will have the amazing opportunity to learn the fundamentals of traditional wood carving from one of the world’s most experienced hand tool woodworkers, Kaare Loftheim. Students will learn wood carving fundamentals through some preliminary carving exercises, then implement their new skills into carving a classic Philadelphia shell.

Students will be required to bring their own carving tools (see the list below). Kaare will communicate with students prior to class to ensure that they know how to properly shape and sharpen their carving gouges before attending class.

This is a wood carving for beginners class, but will also be helpful to intermediate and advanced students, as Kaare will cater to your skill level and offer more advanced techniques if you desire.

DAY 1:
• Inspection of tools
• historic background
• shell design
• layout
• general contouring

DAY 2:
• Shell contouring
• Definition and detailing of elements

Read about this instructor on our page: "Meet the Instructors".

The class material fee will be $25. Each student will be furnished a plaster casting, practice material, and two carving blanks. It is payable to the instructor before or on the day of the class. This class also requires students to bring some of their own tools. These are the five wood carving gouges you’ll need for this class:
1. 1-inch bench chisel or one of these carving chisels: #1/25mm or #2/25mm to 30mm
2. #5/16mm
3. #7/10mm
4. #12/4 to 12/6mm
5. #3/8mm or #2/8mm
The chisel numbers are according to the continental system (Pfeil, etc.) A corresponding English tool (Henry Taylor, old Addis chisels, etc.) are one number higher. So a Henry by Taylor #4 is close to a Pfeil #3. If you’ve got old unmarked carving tools, you can visit the Pfeil website to identify your gouge sizes.

No students under 18 years of age are allowed. A PDF document with the full class policies and a liability waiver will be available after you register. All students are required to sign this document, and bring it on the first day of class.

Anyone can cancel a class up to 3 weeks prior to the class for a full refund (minus a $45 fee that covers credit card processing fees and administrative work). Cancellations under three weeks before a class begins will be given a refund (less $45) if we can find someone else to fill the slot. If we can't find a replacement for a cancelled spot (under 3 weeks before class), we will not issue a refund or give credit for a future class (even in the event of illness or injury).

If we have to cancel a class for an unforeseen emergency, inclement weather, instructor illness/injury, or low number of registrations, a full refund will be given to students. We encourage students to not book non-refundable flights, car rentals, or lodging in case of these cancelations.

See our return / refund policy here.

After you’ve registered for a class, you are eligible for a discount from Lee Valley (Veritas) and Taylor Toolworks. Lee Valley offers a 15% discount, and a discount form PDF will be available for download in your Wood and Shop dashboard after your purchase. For a 10% discount from Taylor Toolworks fill out this form and upload a photo or screenshot of your class order email (under the “Student ID” section). The discounts may not be available after the end of the class, so try to place your orders before then.

Please read our page: "Getting Here and Where to Stay".