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Axe Proficiency Certificate – Level 3 (NCFE IIQ Accredited)
Duration: Friday 7 pm to Sunday 12 pm
Accreditation: NCFE IIQ Level 3 Certification
- Course: Axe Workshop and Charcoal Making Course (CQ10673)
- Dates: 20th-22nd March 2026 in Devon and 27th-29th March 2026 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
Sharpen your wood-craft and axe-handling skills with our Level 3 Axe Proficiency Course. This intensive, practical weekend is built to give you confidence and competence in choosing and using an axe safely — whether for woodland tasks, charcoal production, or crafting tools. Under expert guidance, you’ll be working hands-on, not just observing.
Whether you’ve some axe experience already, or you’re newer but committed to learning — this course will build your skills so you can carry out real woodland tasks effectively and safely.
What You’ll Learn & Do
- Axe Selection & Anatomy: Understand different types of axe, their make and styles, and learn how to choose the right axe for the job.
- Safe Axe Use & Woodland Technique: Master safe handling, felling, snedding, splitting, and general wood-processing — preparing logs, splitting firewood, shaping wood for projects.
- Charcoal Making: You’ll split logs, stack them into a charcoal kiln and “cook” it overnight — and you get to take the charcoal home with you.
- Workshop & Tool-Making Skills: Use your axe (and other provided tools) to build woodland workshops, make useful tools or implements — putting your skills into practical use.
- Tool Maintenance & Sharpening: Learn how to sharpen and look after your axe and other cutting tools to keep them safe and effective.
Why Choose This Course
- Accredited Qualification: Earn a recognised Level 3 NCFE IIQ certificate — a credible credential showing you have advanced axe-handling and woodland skills.
- Practical, Hands-On Experience: This is a working weekend — you’ll be doing the chopping, splitting, charcoal production, not just watching someone else.
- Real Woodland Skills: These aren’t just survival or bushcraft basics — you’ll learn skills applicable for woodland management, firewood prep, tool-making, and more.
- Take-Home Results: You walk away with both new skills and actual produce (charcoal, crafted items) — not just a certificate.
- Small-Group, Safe Environment: With careful instruction, focus on safety, and hands-on guidance, you get quality training in a controlled, supportive setting.
Who It’s For
- Anyone wanting to learn proper axe-handling and woodland tool skills — beginners or with some experience.
- Bushcraft enthusiasts or those wanting deeper practical competence for woodland work, firewood prep or crafting.
- People interested in sustainable woodland management, charcoal production, or producing useful materials from wood.
- Anyone aiming for a recognised Level 3 qualification in axe proficiency and woodland craft.
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Friday's Itinerary
- 7:00pm Safety Brief
- 7:30pm Make camp
- 8:00pm Axe anatomy
- 8:30pm Axe selection
- 9:00pm Axe makes and styles
Saturday's Itinerary
- 8:30am Tree ID – with special reference to charcoal and burning as well as construction
- 10:00am Axe Safety
- 10:30am Round splitting
- 11:00am Charcoal making
- 2:00pm Felling, Snedding and splitting
- 5:00pm Faggots, pimps and benders
- 7:00pm Axe sharpening
Sunday's Itinerary
- 8:30am Making saw horses, cords and workshops, pointing and bevelling
- 11:00am Open up Charcoal Clamp, bag up charcoal, bag it and take it home.
- 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.
