Sunday, 4 November 2012

Spoon carving Scouts.

Last weekend I had a visit from two Scout leaders.
Terry Longhurst from Ilford East Scouts
East London.

spoon carving+ kuksa carving

And
Jim Cook from H.E.A.T Bushcraft and Survival Scout Active Support 
who is based at the Cricket Camp.
Southampton.
Hants.
07717 507529

spoon carving+ kuksa carving

Terry and Jim are both keen Scout leaders who have a passion for the great out doors, camping, exploring and especially green wood working. 
They both came down to chat with me about a new craft hand book they are producing.
The reason for the craft hand book is to spread safe carving and edge tool handling techniques throughout the Scouting fraternity.
They have also been instrumental in organising the new Scout handbook that should be available world wide in a few months.
The craft hand book will be filled with all manor of top tips and safe practice.
This now means that the scout leaders will have a universal teaching standard, they will be able to pass on safe practice to their students in the same way throughout the land. 
I will fill you in on details as and when I am updated.
Whilst Terry and Jim were here we chatted about how to teach axe and knife work to youngsters, it didn't take long before the MacNic axe was shared between us all, billets split and carving commenced.
They wanted to learn how to carve a simple kuksa.
So that's what we did....

spoon carving+ kuksa carving

It's amazing how quiet folk go when given a good knife ( in this case MaChris all round ) and a nice piece of Birch and a plate with coffee and cake.

spoon carving+ kuksa carving



We took a break from our work.
Jim bought with him a great big round of wood, a tripod and some tomahawks.
Well this was duly set up on the lawn and Jim set to,  teaching us how to throw an axe.
He runs this activity with his Scout groups, I suspect they thoroughly enjoy it..... I know we did.

spoon carving first steps tomahawk












spoon carving first steps tomahawk

spoon carving first steps tomahawk
Jim also ran Sarah through her paces....

spoon carving first steps tomahawk

spoon carving first steps tomahawk

spoon carving first steps tomahawk
That's my girl !
We spent a very calming hour throwing the tomahawk.
We found it great fun and quite relaxing.

spoon carving first steps tomahawk

Back to work in the afternoon, and by supper time the lads had their kuksa in the bag.

spoon carving+ kuksa carving


spoon carving+ kuksa carving

A little finishing off at home and jobs a goodun.
I think the Scouts are lucky to have these two inspirational chaps as leaders.
Sarah and I had the best of weekends.
And I thoroughly enjoyed the bottled beer they left for us...
We look forward to the next meet.



Cheers !
J




7 comments:

  1. Good pics, good work, good lads!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like Tel had fun. I have a feeling that there will be more carving going on at his house soon... :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As far as I know he has ordered a MiniMaC carver from us. I think there may be plenty of fire lighting shavings at chez Tez.

      Delete
  3. I found your blog when searching pictures of kuksas. Nice work! :) I didn't even know that there isn't really an english word for kuksa! :) I should try carving my first own kuksa in the near future at my studies. The traditional finnish model is though a bit different...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Saaara.
      Glad you enjoyed the story.
      I think the word 'Noggin' would cover it.
      It's just that we have stolen a Nordic word for the moment.
      Cheers.
      J.

      Delete
  4. They are beautiful and something I would love to have a go at.

    ReplyDelete

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