Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

Sinbad Wilmot reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Excellent course, very well run. I was thoroughly absorbed in the knife making process throughout, enjoyed every bit of it and came away with a beautiful knife that I am very proud of."

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Hi Sinbad, thank you very much for your feedback. I'm really glad you enjoyed the course, thank you for your energy and fine work, certainly you've created a beautiful knife, a friend for life. Hope you returned to Ireland safely, stop by the workshop when you in Stroud next. Best wishes, Arian"

Adam gibbs reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"The experience I have been part of for the last 2 and a hal days has been nothing short of amazing. To take time out from a busy life and career to just concentrate for a while, without being distracted or pestered by anyone was like returning to my roots, before I got busy. Arian is a true expert and unbelievably knowledgable about his craft. This is one string to his bow, but making a knife from raw materials has been a fantastic experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would recommend this to any metal worker, engineer, want to be craftsperson or simply anyone interested. The final result is a knife that will live with me for life, something to be proud of. I could not be happier with the final result."

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Hi Adam. Thanks a lot for your feedback: I'm delighted that you had such a worthwhile experience, as well as a great knife which I'm sure will serve your for years to come. beautiful bog oak handle and razor sharp edge: that's what we like to see! Thank you for your great energy, skill and enthusiasm, I really enjoyed sharing what I know with you and the others on the course. Many thanks again, and I'll try to come and see your engineering set up. Arian "

Graeme Brown reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Arian the course tutor has a genuine interest and feel for his craft. He was able to break the course down into three distinct stages and then was able to break each operation and method down, so it was easy to understand and follow. The three stages offered three different materials to be worked and beautifully combined into one unique finished item. As a hand made product you would never find another one like it some what of a change in our mass-producing modern throw away world. The love and skill for each operation that Arian has was infectious and made the learning experience very enjoyable. Even when you made a mistake Arian was able to look at what I had done and was able to show me how to fix it, they always say you learn more from your mistakes and with Arian there to help and correct I certainly did. The surroundings are in the same context as the course. They have an old worn charm that suited the course. There should be more places like this open to encourage more craft learning. A brilliant break from the regimented plastic world we live in today. I was pleased and proud of what I made. I was almost disappointed when the weekend was finished as I would have loved to have carried on and done more. This course given me some now skills and has stimulated my interest to look further into this craft. "

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Dear Graeme, Thank you very much for this thorough and thoughtful review. I'm delighted that the way I run the courses worked so well for you, I always aim for strong personal experience for participants, coupled with a one-off beautiful and useful knife. Enjoy and Use your knife, and be in touch if you need any help or advice regarding knifemaking. Warmest wishes, Arian "

Mike Hedley-Harper reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

" I received this course as a Christmas present and I must admit that it was one of the best presents I have received. Arian is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. As a medieval re-enactor I wanted a knife that was an authentic replica. Arian took this on board and I produced a knife that I am extremely proud of. Being a complete beginner I didn't expect to to have something that looks professionally made. I have been asked where did you buy that? It's the greatest feeling to say " I didn't buy it, I made it". I would recommend this to anyone with an interest. "

Flynn reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Fantastic experience. Entertaining and enjoyable to learn such a skill. "

Paul Body reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Arian is a brilliant teacher who patiently guided us through each step of the process of making our knives. I now have a one-of-a-kind knife for the rest of my life. Arian is a warm, clever and talented teacher. After all the years he’s been doing this there was not a whiff of complacency or staleness. He obviously still loves what he does and sharing it with people. It is a packed weekend, but filled with fun. Thank you Arian and everyone at the Nailsworth Community Workshop." "

Jansen reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Did this course with my Sons (aged 16 and 21) in Feb 2024, and it kept each of us busy/engaged for the whole weekend. Arian is an excellent teacher of this craft, and carefully guides complete beginners through to making a knife with leather pouch. We were all blown away by the end results and now appreciate the never ending filing, sanding and sharpening :-) You also come away learning how to sharpen knives. We are now cherishing our knives, oiling the handles and keeping the blades sharp."

Carl reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"This was a really rewarding course. Arian was a fantastic teacher and for someone like myself who is no way artistic, you get to go home with something that is beautiful, practical and unique looking. If you're thinking of doing this I'd highly recommend it."

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Kind thanks for this feedback Carl. I hope your knife will serve you well for years to come! Arian"

Mark Thompson reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"A really great weekend. Arian is a great teacher and I have a one of a kind knife for the rest of my life. Thoroughly recommend this course. I have no craft skills and made something beautiful. "

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Hi Mark, and thank you for your feedback. Pleasure to meet you and indeed you made a lovely knife. I’m sure it’ll serve you well on your adventures for years to come! Best wishes and stay in touch."

Mike reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"This was a great course, we arrived on the Friday and designed our knife, Arian helped to fine tune the designs. I chose a bushcraft knife but there were all sorts of designs and uses. When it came to crafting Arian taught us three crafts, steel work (blade), wood work (handle) and leather work (sheath). Arian created a relaxed atmosphere where you could make your own teas and coffees at anytime and had biscuits on constant supply. I'd really recommend this course to anyone, even if you're not particularly crafty as it was so relaxing and you come away with something you've crafted by yourself. Can't fault anything over the whole weekend and I'll taking this knife with me on many camping trips in the future. All in all 11/10! "

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Thank you Mike for this feedback. I'm delighted that the way I run the workshop worked for you. Enjoy using your knife as that is the whole idea! Best regards, and if you have any questions over time be free to get in touch. Thanks for your hard work! Arian"

Seán G reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"A busy but very rewarding weekend. Straight into learning about materials and making from the Friday evening onwards. Start with a metal billet and come away with a quality knife in a leather sheath. Brilliant. Arian is a warm, clever and talented teacher. After all the years he’s been doing this there was not s whiff of complacency or staleness. He obviously still loves what he does and sharing it with people. Funny, attentive and talented. Highly recommended. "

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Kind thanks Sean for this feedback.I'm sure your knife will serve you well for years to come, and become a good friend! Very lovely design, so thank you for your creativity and hard work. Be in touch! Arian"

David reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"What a great weekend course! Tiring but thoroughly enjoyable. Arian is a very knowledgeable and patient instructor. I have never really made anything in my life (well not for 50 years!) and I finished this weekend with an extremely sharp knife with a lovely cherrywood handle all in a lovely leather sheath! I totally recommend Arian's course."

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Thank you David for your kind words. I'm delighted that you enjoyed working practically in general, as well as constructing a lovely knife in particular. Glad the sharpness test worked as hoped for! Enjoy your new friend and be in touch with any questions etc. Arian"

Nick Hardy reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Fantastic weekend with the wonderful Arian. I can’t recommend it enough."

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Thank you Nick, for this feedback, as well as your work and creativity throughout the weekend. I really enjoyed that in addition to the practical process itself, you also had the chance to use the deer antler (that followed you around for so many years) for the handle. I'm sure there will be many stories to come over the years! Best regards, and thank you again. Arian"

Nathan reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"An amazing birthday present! Thanks a lot Arian for a great weekend. I never expected that I'd be able to produce a completely unique knife, produced to my own specifications in about two days. I decided to make a fairly unusual kitchen knife, which I half expected to be prompted to move away from. However Arian was more than able to help me turn a square piece of steel into my design (after gently correcting a few minor flaws). If you're looking to do the course, I'd suggest that you have a think about your design or desired use before turning up. While you could do this in the first evening, I'd suggest that you'll get the most from the experience if you take a bit more time working out what you'd like. "

Mig Caamano reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Thanks for a brilliant course, Arian and thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us. Great tutoring style, relaxed and informative. Never felt rushed and always felt I could approach you to ask anything. Every stage was well explained and demonstrated. Thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to more courses. Great venue also with all the tools and equipment needed for everything. Could do with a workshop like that myself! Very pleased with my knife and sheath and looking forward to using it for many years to come, hopefully"

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Thank you Mig, glad it all worked out exactly as you say, that's the whole idea. Enjoy using your knife and hope to see you again at some point. Arian"

Alan reviewed: Knife making weekend Gloucestershire

"Arian leads you through the process of creating a beautiful and useful artefact in a relaxed, informative way. This was a fabulous weekend spent with a group of like minded individuals. Thoroughly enjoyable and I walked away with the knowledge of how to repeat the process. Couldn’t have asked for more."

Nailsworth Community Workshop responded:

"Thank you Alan. It was a really good weekend, i enjoyed guiding you all through the process, and seeing the paper patterns from Friday evening evolve into beautiful knives by Sunday afternoon. Your bushcraft knife is excellent, thank you for your focus and hard work. And really, the process is just starting, I love how through use our knives become our own and weather into a reliable friend. Enjoy! Arian"