North House Folk School - Courses, Classes, Workshops

Crooked Knife: Craft Your Own

Blacksmithing & Tool Making

Jarrod StoneDahl

The crooked knife, formally known as the mokotagan, is a very old type of woodworking tool unique to North America and predominantly found around the Great Lakes region. It is a nomad’s tool, born out of the need to be versatile yet easy to transport. The knife is used one handed and pulled toward oneself which gives the user great control and frees up the other hand to hold the wood being worked. When in use, a properly designed crooked knife a joy to use. These knives historically have been used for carving paddles, snowshoe frames, and the primary tool for birch bark canoe building, but can be used in place of a drawknife or block plane. In this class we will use the stock removal method to create the shape of the blades and then harden and temper the steel in the forge, then mount the blade to custom fit handles. Instruction will also be given in how to use the tool efficiently.

Dates

Fri, Feb 24, 2012 - Sun, Feb 26, 2012

Course Details

Length in days:

2 1/2

Hours:

Day 1: 4-8 pm; Day 2 & 3: 9am-5pm

Tuition:

$185.00 per student (May 1-Oct 31)
$165.00 per student (Nov 1 - Apr 30)

Materials:

$25.00

Levels:

Beginner to Advanced

Making it happen:

When should I enroll?
We can't hold classes without students! Decisions regarding course cancellations (as related to minimum enrollment) are made three weeks before the class starts--so if you've got a course in mind, plan ahead and sign up at least three weeks in advance! That way we'll know you're coming, courses are more likely to meet minimum enrollment numbers, and then they'll actually take place.
Also watch for the words "nearly full" next to course dates. When that notation appears it means there are only one or two spots left--so sign up soon!
Do you take last minute registrations?
Of course! Although it's important that courses meet minimum enrollment three weeks before their scheduled start dates, we know that life doesn't always allow for prior planning. As long as there are still spots left in a course we're happy to accept your registration last minute.
When will new course dates be posted?
New course dates are posted both in the spring and fall to coordinate with our course catalog release dates. All the new dates are opened for enrollment on the same day and at the same time, so that everyone gets a fair crack at a spot in the courses they're interested in. As that time rolls around we announce when the new dates will "go live" in our e-newsletter. (sign up here!)