Masterclasses

Friday October 24th, 2025 |  10:00 – 12:00 noon | Price £35 | 25 places.

Join John for a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most respected names in hand tools. From Thomas Lie-Nielsen’s humble beginnings in a shed on a Maine dairy farm, through the meticulous manufacturing process, from raw castings to finished planes, you’ll see how uncompromising standards shape every tool. Expect live demonstrations on plane setup and sharpening, plus insight into the rigorous quality control that sets Lie-Nielsen apart.

John’s presentation will last between 60 – 75 minutes with time for Q & A afterwards.

Masterclasses include entry to the Marketplace and a £20 discount off orders exceeding £250 with Classic Hand Tools, redeemable once per ticket, only during the festival.

Friday October 24th, 2025 |  10:00 – 12:00 noon | Price £35 | 12 places. SOLD OUT.

Ian Parker will demonstrate using hide glue for veneer work, particularly on curved surfaces and the ‘instant grab’ properties that negate the need for clamps. 

Ian will produce a simple veneered surface, perhaps a starburst pattern, or book matching without needing tape or a vacuum press and adding some marquetry and line. He will produce a sample panel with as many techniques as he can achieve in the time all exploiting the advantages of using hot hide glue.

All of the following pieces have used hide glue in their making, most notably the 2m round dining table top, veneered in Masur Birch.

Masterclasses include entry to the Marketplace and a £20 discount off orders exceeding £250 with Classic Hand Tools, redeemable once per ticket, only during the festival.

This masterclass is now full! Please consider taking another masterclass, or enrolling on Ian’s Drawing Skills for Woodworkers course instead.

Friday October 24th, 2025 |  14:00 – 15:30 | Price £35 | 25 places.

Richard Arnold delivers a “Back to the Bench” Masterclass, rediscovering Pre-Industrial Woodworking Techniques.

This session explores how furniture and tools were crafted before the age of machines, when precision came from hand and eye, not electricity. Learn what we’ve lost, what we can reclaim, and why these age-old techniques still matter today.

Masterclasses include entry to the Marketplace and a £20 discount off orders exceeding £250 with Classic Hand Tools, redeemable once per ticket, only during the festival.

Saturday October 25th, 2025 |  10:00 – 12:00 noon | Price £35 | 25 places.

Joint making the Japanese Way: discover the precision and elegance of Japanese joinery in this live demonstration with Dorian Bracht.

Dorian will showcase a selection of traditional joints, explaining the techniques and principles behind each one as he works.

Masterclasses include entry to the Marketplace and a £20 discount off orders exceeding £250 with Classic Hand Tools, redeemable once per ticket, only during the festival.

Saturday October 25th, 2025 |  14:00 – 15:30 | Price £35 | 25 places.

Join Steve Jones, Head Designer at Veritas Tools, for an inside look at how some of the world’s most respected and innovative hand tools come to life. From concept to prototype to finished product, Steve will share the thinking, challenges, and craftsmanship behind Veritas’s design process.

Masterclasses include entry to the Marketplace and a £20 discount off orders exceeding £250 with Classic Hand Tools, redeemable once per ticket, only during the festival.