The workshop in East Sussex. Left to right: pole lathe, chopping block, shave horse.

Some of the tools used. Left to right: adze, brace and bit, splitting axe, trimming axe, draw knife, knife, hook knife, froe, turning chisels and wooden mallet.

All these products are made using only simple hand tools (no power tools) thereby making each item truly handmade and unique. The fresh-cut wood I use to make these products is referred to as "green" or "unseasoned" wood. In this state it still contains a lot of moisture and is easier to work when using traditional hand tools. The work begins with carefully chosen, unprocessed timber which is "cleaved" or split instead of being sawn. This maximises the natural strength of the wood by following the grain. In contrast, these days most conventional woodworkers use seasoned (dry) wood which has been sawn into planks using large machinery and work the wood using power tools. All the wood I use is sourced locally to my workshop in East Sussex from well managed English woodland, most of which I cut myself.