The kuksa is an old-style wooden cup made to travel far and wide and be at the ready, whether the beverage of choice is water from a Boundary Waters lake, coffee of any quality, or even a splash of something stronger (so we’ve been told). Over three days, students will fully immerse themselves in the world of green woodworking, using common tools like axes, adzes, gouges, hook tools, and the versatile slöjd knife, to shape freshly harvested birch into a one-of-a kind vessel. By crafting a kuksa—which is more than a spoon but less than a bowl—students will engage in a wide array of techniques and tool usage that bridges the gap between spoon carving and bowl carving. This course will cover sourcing wood, carving, tool techniques, safety, and tool maintenance.

While students with minimal skills are welcome, some experience using a knife, axe, and sharpening tools will be very helpful. Specialty tools will be available to borrow; students should plan to bring a carving axe, hook tool, and slöjd knife.

The goal of this workshop is to gain confidence in yourself and the tools being used, as this is the key to understanding the function of tool and timber.

This course is part of Wood Week 2027. Plan to stay a day longer for the Carvers Conference on Friday, March 12, which features demonstrations, speakers, and community gatherings offered as a benefit to students enrolled in Wood Week coursework. Full schedule available online in early 2027.

Required Tools

• Axe (available for purchase in the NH School Store), a limited number are available to borrow as well. Please call to request.
• Straight sloyd knife (available for purchase in the NH School store)
• Hook tool
• Ruler
• Compass
• Pencil
• Strop

Optional Tools

• Gouges
• Carving or leather gloves
• Adzes

This course is part of Wood Week 2027. Plan to stay a day longer for the Carvers Conference on Friday, March 12, which features demonstrations, speakers, and community gatherings offered as a benefit to students enrolled in Wood Week coursework. Full schedule available online in early 2027.