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Primitive Crafts Course – Level 3 (NCFE IIQ Accredited)
Duration: Friday 7 pm to Sunday 12 pm
Accreditation: NCFE IIQ Level 3 Certification
- Course: Primitive Weapons Course (CQ10674)
- 2026 Dates: 16th-18th October in Devon and 23rd-25th October in Staffordshire.
- Venue: Devon (Near Exeter - EX11 1LU) and Staffordshire (Near Burton upon Trent - DE13 9RW).
- Times: 7pm on the Friday - midday on the Sunday.
- Ages: All ages above 14 years welcome.
- Certificates: From 1st August 2022, all certifications will be in the form of eCertificates.
Course Overview
Step back in time and rediscover ancient craftsmanship skills with our Level 3 Primitive Crafts Course. This hands-on weekend is designed to teach you how our ancestors made their tools and weapons — from stone-knapped arrowheads to handcrafted bows and atlatls. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you’ll craft real, functional items from natural materials and take them home with you.
Whether you’re a complete novice or you already have some bushcraft or ancient crafting experience, this course will give you the confidence and know-how to create primitive-era tools yourself.
What You’ll Learn & Do
- Flint-Knapping & Stone Tool Making: Learn to knap flint (or similar material) to make arrowheads and spearheads — the fundamental skill of ancient tool-making.
- Wood Selection & Shaft Preparation: Understand how to choose appropriate wood, shape shafts for arrows and spears, and prepare natural materials correctly.
- Bow & Atlatl Making: Construct your own bow and atlatl for launching arrows and darts — from raw materials to working implements.
- Arrow / Dart Crafting & Fletching: Assemble your arrows or darts — attaching stone heads, binding shafts, fletching with natural materials, and readying them for use.
- Glue, Resin & Bindings: Learn traditional methods of using natural resins, bindings, and adhesives — essential for securing points and making durable tools.
- Safe Tool Use & Practical Craftsmanship: Emphasis on safe tool handling, correct techniques with knives, saws, and other woodland tools — ensuring you complete your projects safely and effectively.
Why Choose This Course
- Accredited Qualification: Earn a Level 3 NCFE IIQ certificate — a formal recognition of your primitive-craft skills and understanding of safe tool use.
- Fully Hands-On, Tangible Results: This isn’t theoretical — you’ll build your own weapons and tools with your hands, from start to finish, and take them home with you.
- Revive Traditional Skills: Learn a range of ancient crafts — a rare opportunity to gain knowledge that goes beyond modern bushcraft, connecting you to ancestral techniques.
- Accessible for All Skill Levels: Whether you’re new to primitive crafts or already somewhat familiar with bushcraft — the course is structured to guide you safely and effectively.
Ideal For
- Anyone curious about traditional tool-making, primitive crafts, or ancient weapon construction.
- Bushcraft enthusiasts who want to deepen their skills beyond modern tool use — learning stone-age techniques.
- People interested in anthropology, history, or experimental archaeology — wanting a hands-on experience of how our ancestors lived and made tools.
- Those who want a recognised qualification in primitive craftsmanship and woodland tool safety.
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Friday's Itinerary
- 7:00pm Safety Brief
- 7:30pm Make Camp
- 8:00pm Safe cutting techniques
- 8.15pm Collection and preparation of materials for Darts, Atlatls, Bows and Arrows
Saturday's Itinerary
- 8:30am Flint knapping dart and arrow heads
- 10:00am Tree and plant ID
- 11:00am Bow making
- 1:30pm Bow making continued
- 4:00pm Glues, resins and fixing arrow and dart heads
- 6:00pm Further arrow, atlatl and dart preparation
Sunday's Itinerary
- 8:00am Tillering
- 9:00am Fletching and flights
- 11:00am Test firing
- 12:00pm All good things must come to an end. Course departs.
The itinerary may change depending on the weather, but all subjects will be covered.
