MC Woodcrafts reviews

Lizzy Brothwood reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"Absolutely brilliant!!! I honestly could not recommend this course highly enough! Despite the awful weather, Mike went above and beyond to make this day totally accessible and enjoyable. We were provided tea and coffee throughout the day and even some choccy biscuits! Mike’s warm and friendly approach to teaching made the course so much fun as well as informative. I left the day with a whole host of skills, which was all down to Mike’s 1:1 teaching, encouragement and a lot of patience! Massive thank you Mike!"

Simon Beer reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Thoroughly enjoyed Mike’s Introduction to Green Woodworking Course. A very pleasant day with some nice people, in a lovely place. I learnt a lot about using traditional tools and techniques and now feel confident carving. Mike has a wealth of knowledge and experience and a very laid back teaching style. I would thoroughly recommend this course - a really informative and enjoyable way to spend a day."

Chris Morse reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Had a great day on the green woodwork course. Mike is a great teacher, very calm, helpful and always has a brew on. Learnt loads. Would fully recommend!"

Ryan storie reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Great intro to green woodwork with mike who was a very knowledgeable chilled guy, always there to answer any questions or give advice when needed. Highly recommended."

Carl Anderson reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"Had a fantastic day and the setting is lovely. Mike is a very knowledgeable and a great teacher and happy to answer all your questions.The tools we used were well kept, good quality and sharp and techniques demonstrated brilliantly. It was a nice relaxed, friendly atmosphere and everything is explained thoroughly to get you to a point where you can go away and do it yourself and i feel confident that i can after this. It was a great day and good value for money, I would thoroughly recommend it"

MC Woodcrafts responded:

"Thanks for your review Carl. It was great to meet you and Andy and I'm so glad that you enjoyed your day and feel inspired to start your spoon carving journey. Happy Carving!"

Jan McWhinnie reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Husband and I had a great day with Mike and one other couple on the Chevin. The sun shone whilst Mike gave us the full benefit of his years of experience. Light hearted but comprehensive instruction on how to get from log to spatula or spreader using a variety of tools, none of which we had ever used before. We each finished the day in full possession of all our fingers and toes, plus our utensil of choice! We really enjoyed our day and can thoroughly recommend Mike’s courses - a great day in the great outdoors - go on, try one, you won’t regret it!"

MC Woodcrafts responded:

"Thanks for your review Jan, it was lovely to meet you both and I'm so glad that you enjoyed your day of green woodwork"

Diana reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"What a great way to learn green wood spoon making, starting from a birch log through to the making of a big spoon. Mike very patiently taught us how to use an axe to get the wood ready for fine honing with the spoon making tools, giving us the confidence to safely use these. Beautiful surroundings and a course that was thoughtfully put together. Lovely day. This is just the start of my spoon making!"

Peter reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Intro to greenwood carving. Sept 2020. Well worth waiting for following cancellation earlier due to Covid. Woodland setting ideal for taking up the tuition provided by Mike. Great to have been successful in converting a cherry wood log into a spatula and a birch log into a spreader. First class equipment and theory provided by Mike. Small group allowed for good interaction and individual attention."

Steve Brown reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"This is the second course that I’ve been on with Mike. His knowledge and enthusiasm is obvious and as a result you want to make the best spatula and spreader that you can. Mike, another great day in the beautiful setting of Otley Chevin. I thoroughly enjoyed my day as well as the extra tips that you gave me regarding finishing my spoon from my previous course. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Steve."

Jinny and John Casey reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"We had a great day on Mike’s spoon making course and really enjoyed the process of turning a birch log into spoons within one day. The axe and knife skills we learned to achieve this were expertly taught by Mike who was very patient and clear in his instructions. It was such a joy to get out into the wonderful location of the Chevin forest after months of lockdown."

Steven Brown reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"From the start, Mike’s knowledge and love of his subject was apparent. Having had a previous, bad experience with another instructor on a similar course, this put me back in love with wanting to carve spoons. Mike takes the time to advise and suggest where necessary, without being overbearing. I’d recommend this course and can’t wait to go on my “green woodworking course in 2 weeks’ time."

Stephen Herbert reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"Loved every second. Didn't want it to end. Mike's pace and delivery were perfect. I came away inspired, bought online that evening. Went wood hunting the next morning, made a oak mallet the same afternoon .... My new obsession. I'd even repeat the same course to improve my skills. Thank you Mike. Wish that I was 10 years younger, and I'd started then!"

Kate reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"A really exciting introduction to spoon carving in the beautiful Otley Chevin. Mike's teaching style is relaxed and extremely informative, led by our individual needs and the questions asked. Mike managed to accommodate different skill levels within the group. Refreshments provided (even GF!) and hot drinks made with a Kelly Kettle which is always fun. I felt completely safe using tools I never have before, and have received all the information I need to purchase my own so I can carry on practising. A fantastic day, highly recommended."

Sheena little reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"I attended Mike's spoon carving day on 1st sept 2019 and I can truly say I had the best day ever! Mike was friendly caring, patient and very very good at teaching. The atmosphere was laid back and peaceful with plenty of cups of tea and biscuits. I’m so proud of my spoon and can’t wait until I can go back on another day. Thank you Mike. You are wonderful ?"

Grace Harvey reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"Thoroughly recommend. Mike's passion and knowledge made for an excellent workshop, set in beautiful surroundings. Mike was really interesting to talk to and his teaching style was relaxed, highly informative and clear, giving each of us as much help and advice as required. A great day, and I think we all went away feeling really pleased with our carving achievements!"

Neil Robinson reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"A great course in a lovely setting at Otley Chevin. Mike was both very knowledgeable and personable, with a small group of only 4 people, there was plenty of individual instruction and assistance, alll working at our own pace Having rarely if, ever used an axe or knives previously, we all went from a log, and finished with a great spoon. We learnt an awful lot over the day, with some great reference materials to take away and given the confidence to carve more spoons at home."

Michael White reviewed: Carve a spoon in a day

"An excellent introduction in a lovely setting. Mike was interesting and passionate about green woodworking and knows his stuff. We all got plenty of help and were able to work at our own pace as Mike was very good at getting round everybody. With tea and cake on hand and plenty of tools for all, Mike made the day a really good introduction to green woodworking and I'm sure that all who attended will go on to try more. Thanks Mike."

Cerys Uprichard reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"A most enjoyable day of spoon carving with Mike. He was welcoming, friendly and extremely informative. His excellent tuition meant that I finished the day having learnt new skills and with a spoon that I am very pleased with. I thoroughly recommend Mike's courses to anyone who's interested in woodworking skills."

Harry Eastwood reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Mike is a very passionate and knowledgeable man with a wealth of experience. I had a great time learning loads of new skills in the outdoors and would recommend to anyone who wants to learn a new craft and have a break from everyday life."

Thérèse Robinson reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"A wonderful and productive day out. Starting the day rather nervous about using the sharp tools, Mike’s warm welcome and reassuring guidance soon improved my confidence. I finished the day with my own hand-crafted spoon, new skills, and a joyful sense of achievement. Mike’s knowledge and tuition are excellent, his patience admirable and his skills enviable. I would happily do the whole day again and highly recommend Mike’s courses to all interested parties. Thank you Mike, and good luck carvers."

Greg reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Mike is a brilliant teacher with a vast amount of knowledge about how to make a piece of wood into a wonderful implement - he's also an expert in woodlands and trees which serves for great knowledge gathering - so - if you want to know about the entire life cycle of a tree of a particular type and then carve that piece of that tree into a useful utensil - there is no one more qualified. Would definitely recommend. He's a great bloke too."

Helen Fox reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Brilliant course! Fantastic family day in the forest. 4 spatulas made. Very knowledgable and helpful with all the techniques needed to make this a great day out. Youngest would have booked for next day if there had been a course!!!!!!!"

charles potter reviewed: Intro to Green Woodwork

"Fabulous day with Mike - Feb 2018. Very knowledgeable about all things concerning forestry & wood-working. Personable, entertaining and very easy to get on with. The 3 of us thoroughly enjoyed the day and learned a lot about woodcraft. Started off with a huge tree branch and ended up with 3 big wooden spoons. Something different for us to do as a family - relaxing and in wonderful surroundings. Would definitely recommend, and hope to return."