The world of survival skills often considers the knife the most important piece of gear you can carry. With the right experience, you can use your knife to build fire, create a shelter, harvest and process materials, and craft many other items.

In this beginner friendly workshop, learn the foundation of using a knife at camp and on the trail by developing fundamental carving techniques like grips, cuts, notching, using beginner friendly wood, and creating two projects to take home.

Key Lessons and Class Objectives

• Knife safety and care in a forest or outdoor setting

• Grips and techniques like forward cuts, push cuts, stop cuts, paring cuts, cha

• Notches (7 notch, stake notch, U-notch, square notch, and more)

• Wood selection (from beginning to advanced carvers)

• Create two sample projects to follow along with the instructor and take home
  (a notch stick and it’s many uses, [primitive hunting, camp setup, digging] and a figure 4 deadfall trap for wilderness skills)

Sharp class knives will be available for use for participants. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own knives and tools.

This course will take place on the east side of Capitol Forest, closest to Olympia at Margaret McKenny Campground. Precise directions and our meeting location within the campground will be sent the week of class to all participants who complete registration. If this site becomes unavailable as we approach the class date, participants will be informed of a nearby shift of starting location.