Max Sconyers III reviews

Ryan H reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"I’d been bought this course as a birthday gift. Not knowing what to expect, I went with an open mind and it turned out to be a fun and therapeutic way to spend a Saturday. Set in lovely Bellingham, Northumberland. Max is a great teacher, friendly, patient and with a natural ability to explain things in a way that’s easy for a novice to understand. The number of people on the course (5) was right for the size of the workshop and allowed Max to give individual guidance to each participant. A lot of information to take in but delivered in a way that was not overwhelming. Even with the technical element, the art of carving a simple spoon out of a piece of wood is surprisingly relaxing. I would highly recommend Max and his spoon carving workshop!"

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thanks for the kind words, Ryan! It was great to carve together. I am so glad that you enjoyed the day."

Sarah W reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"What a fabulous day! Max’s enthusiasm and love of the craft was evident throughout the day. Learning about wood, use of axes and knives and origins of spoon making was fascinating. A day that enabled me to escape the modern world and produce something that will be used everyday - a reminder of how we are connected to nature. Highly recommended. "

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thanks Sarah! It was wonderful to get to know you and Rob. Stop in anytime!"

Jane Morton reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"Fantastic day. Max is very patient and approachable teacher. The focus of the day is achieving a spoon you can be proud of - not competitive - just encouraging. Loads of information to take in but given to you in bite size pieces. Great for learning the craft but also for losing yourself, as you have to fully concentrate on the task in hand - no room for thinking about the everyday stresses and strains. Excellent day - would recommend to anyone. Very good value for the time and quality of the tuition given. I went with my husband - (I’d bought it for his birthday) we left having signed up for further workshops."

Venkatesh H reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"Max is an enthusiastic teacher who is passionate about his craft. During our 1:1 spoon carving session, Max taught me all the fundamental techniques I would need as a beginner and stressed on adopting a non-prescriptive approach, asking me to listen to the tools and my body above all. Knowledge is knowing how to use a tool, wisdom is understanding that the tool doesn’t want to be used a certain way. Spend a few hours in Max’s serene, sun-lit workshop and you’ll be coming up with wise one-liners just like me! 😆 "

Grant Callow reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"Hi Max. I would just like to thank you for a great day. Both myself and my daughter found it very informative and enjoyable. "

Anne Kent reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"We had a fabulous experience spoon carving with Max. Delighted with our beautiful and unique spoons and we learnt so much. Inspiring, creative and a genuinely joyful experience."

Florence Schechter reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"This workshop was absolutely fantastic! I'll be honest, I didn't know anything about spoon carving before this but now I have a new appreciation. We started with a small plank of wood and ended with a gorgeous spoon! Max explained everything in a very accessible way and made the day really fun and medatative."

Tom reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"Brilliant course and phenomenal value. Max was an excellent teacher, sharing his passion and years of accumulated knowledge not just about how to carve, but about the materials, the history, the biomechanics, the mental benefits and more. My spoon is drying out before oiling and I’m looking forward to using it! "

Dirkk reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"A Heartfelt Review of Max’s Spoon-Making Workshop I had the pleasure of attending Max’s spoon-making workshop, and it was a fulfilling experience from start to finish. Max has a remarkable ability to create a welcoming, supportive, and engaging environment, where safety, learning, and creativity flow effortlessly. His approach fosters not only skill development but also a deep sense of presence and connection with the craft. With his expert guidance and patient teaching, I found myself fully immersed in the therapeutic process of carving—discovering a unique spoon hidden within a simple firewood blank. Max is not only a gifted craftsman but also an exceptional teacher, making the experience both enriching and inspiring. Most profoundly, this workshop kindled my personal connection to spoon-making, an art my body seemed to remember instinctively. It was deeply satisfying to connect with this craft, and I left feeling both accomplished and refreshed. Thank you, Max, for sharing your knowledge and passion so generously. This workshop was a truly special experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn a new skill or rediscover the joy of working with their hands. "

Will reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"Max is simply brilliant. I went for the full day private spoon carving and had a rewarding, educational and fun experience! I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in working with green wood, or carving, or as a way to unplug and reconnect with some our of ancient ways. Excellent experience, great value and highly recommended!"

Denise reviewed: Parent + Child Carving - Sloyd Workshop

"Thank you to Max I bought this for my grandsons 12th Birthday and he absolutely loved it, would def recommend to anyone. Max was so good x"

Cameron and Emma reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"We had a fantastic day carving spoons with Max! He was a warm and patient instructor and we left with a lot of new skills and two beautiful spoons. He has a deep knowledge and love of the craft. We felt in very safe hands, and as a bonus had some tasty lunch cooked on an open fire. Would highly recommend!"

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thanks for the kind words Cameron! It was such a pleasure to teach you both. You guys rocked it. Welcome back anytime. Take care!"

Clodagh Barker reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"I really enjoyed the day. We learned how to make a wooden spoon from a block of green wood, using an axe and a sculpting knife. Requiring lots of different skills all of which were taught with clarity and patience by Max. He also cooked a delicious lunch for us all on the open fire. I would thoroughly recommend the day. Thank you Max. "

Max Sconyers III responded:

"You’re so welcome Clodagh. It was great to have you. Beautiful spoon! Thanks for the kind words."

Christian reviewed: Spoon Carving at Wilderness Foundation UK

"My partner and I has such a great day! Max was fantastic, super friendly, very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. Both of us are so happy with what we ended up making and will absolutely be looking at Max’s other courses"

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thanks for the kind words Chris! I look forward to seeing you both again. It was a great day. Happy carving!"

Lorna reviewed: Spoon Carving at Wilderness Foundation UK

"Wonderful day spoon carving, harder than I thought but so rewarding. Max was superb, fun, methodical and a wonderful tutor. This course has inspired me to continue, and wonderful spoon at the end, what more can you ask for. Thank you."

Max Sconyers III responded:

"It was so great to have you in the workshop, Lorna! Thank you for the kind words. Let me know if you need anything at all along your carving journey. "

Adam reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"An excellent, quiet and relaxing day. Max is a great teacher, very kind, patient and generous with his time. Well suited for complete beginners, too! Couldn't have asked for a better introduction to spoon carving."

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thanks Adam! It was great meeting you and carving together. Hope to see you again soon with a basket full of your own spoons!"

Chris reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"We had the pleasure of attending Max's spoon whittling workshop a couple of weeks ago and I can't remember having a more enjoyable or constructive day out for a long while. We were delighted and slightly astonished how well our spoons turned out, thanks to Max's relaxed, informative and thorough teaching. Lunch was great, the setting was great, there were mince pies, a wood fire - what's not to love. Max is one of the nicest people you could hope to meet - book this course, you won't regret it. A million stars."

Josh reviewed: Axe & Knife Skills - Sloyd Workshop

"Max helped me out of a hobby funk. As a hobbyist I had taught myself a little but didn't know how much I was missing, and I learned so much the five hour session flew by. It was so pleasant learning from him and the environment of his workshop is very comfortable even in mixed weather. Had a great day, came away with everything I need and fresh inspiration. Thanks Max"

Henry reviewed: Parent + Child Carving - Sloyd Workshop

"Me and my 9 year old daughter learnt loads in the time we spent with Max at his lovely garden workshop. We really enjoyed the experience, building technique by the fire and came away with satisfying pieces and knowledge we've since built upon. Recommend to anyone interested in woodcraft. Hoping to do more soon"

William Rowe reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"Myself and my Partner recently took part in Max's Sloyd workshop, and what a brilliant day it was! First off, he was very flexible with our dates and allowed us to change last minute due to work schedules. It was just the two of us and Max during our session, and he made us feel welcome and comfortable from the offset! Not only was he a fantastic and knowlagable teacher, he was also kind and encouraging, and overall a lovely person to spend and afternoon with. Leaving with our spoons have us a genuine feeling of accomplishment, and has left both of us wanting to continue our Sloyd journey! Bonus points for the fire/lovely environment Max has made in and around his workshop"

HM reviewed: Spoon Carving - Slojd Workshop

"Max is a gifted teacher and we spent a wonderful Sunday at his beautiful workshop. He teaches methodically, introducing each step of the carving process and new tool, and gives as much or as little assistance as you like. He really teaches to impart skills that can be used outside the workshop - sets you up well do go out and continue carving on your own, or return for another course. The wood blocks provided were special and have made for lovely spoons. Highly recommend spending a day with Max woodworking by the crackling fire! Coffee, tea, biscuits and lunch round out the day."

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thanks so much HM! It was truly a pleasure to have you both in the workshop for the day. And, your spoons were so great! Happy Carving!"

Omar reviewed: Parent + Child Carving - Sloyd Workshop

"Max is an outstanding teacher. We really appreciated the balanced combination of theory and practical application in the course. Everything was explained clearly and thoroughly. Max also has a fantastic rapport with kids, making the learning experience enjoyable for all ages. I look forward to taking more courses with Max and would highly recommend this one to anyone"

Ben reviewed: Axe & Knife Skills - Sloyd Workshop

"An excellent experience that left me with the basic skills to start wood carving with knife, axe, saw and mallet."

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thanls so much, Ben! It was a pleasure to spend the day together. "

Brian Cousins reviewed: Spoon Carving at Wilderness Foundation UK

"I would thoroughly recommend this spoon carving workshop that Max runs. The location is wonderful. The course is run at a good pace with plenty of time to ask questions and fully understand the whole process. Max is a brilliant enthusiastic tutor who gives you all you need so that you can carve your own unique spoon. "

Max Sconyers III responded:

"Thank you for the kind words, Brian! It was great to meet you and work with you. Happy Carving!"

Edwina Mullins reviewed: Axe & Knife Skills - Sloyd Workshop

"This was an excellent course. I bought it for my husband for his birthday and he really enjoyed meeting Max and learning key axe & knife skills. Sounded like a lovely day and he wants to do more courses with Max now."