By Andrew Hunter

Saturday, November 20th, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Impractical Sharpening

This online class is the sequel to David Wood's class on practical sharpening. As the title implies, Andrew's presentation is intended to take the conversation of sharpening one step further. What Andrew likes to call "Sunday afternoon sharpening", where there is a boss telling you that you are spending too much time fiddling with your blade. It is a time to practice new techniques, and to push yourself and your tool to do its best.

Andrew will start with the basics, covering the foundation of sharpening and what it means to be truly sharp. From there he will jump into more complex ideas and help the student see and understand what is happening on a microscopic level at the cutting edge. He will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of sharpening stones and how to get the most out of what you have. And how to create different kinds of edges that perform in various types of situations and materials. Most importantly, you will leave this class inspired to advance yourself and your craft. So please join Andrew and bring on your questions!

By Jeff Bearce

Sunday, November 14th, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Introduction to Sharpening Japanese Tools

Join Jeff Bearce for a class on the basics of sharpening Japanese chisels and planes by hand. You’ll learn how to use water stones to maintain the bevel and back of your blades to form a razor sharp cutting edge. Beginning with techniques for flattening sharpening stones, we’ll go on to cover topics like optimal bevel angles, sharpening stone grits, methods for holding blades while sharpening, flattening the back of blades while maintaining the hollow, and removing burrs.

By Wilbur Pan

Saturday, November 13th, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Introduction to Japanese Saws

Interested in using a Japanese saw, but don’t know where to start? This class is for you. In this class, you’ll learn why Japanese saws are a great option for hand saws, what makes them work so well, the types of Japanese saws, and practical ways to use them in your workshop.

This class is intended for any woodworker interested in Japanese saws. You don’t have to use Japanese tools, and you don’t have to be a hand tool woodworker to benefit from this class. There will be many demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities for questions and answers.

If you have a Japanese saw to bring to class, it may be useful to follow along with.

By David Wood

Sunday, November 7th, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Japanese Plane Setup and Tuning

In this class, David will walk you through the steps for bringing a new Japanese hand plane into full working order.

To start he will give recommendations to beginners for purchasing their first plane, as well as suggestions for refurbishing an older one. David will then take students through each step in tuning up a block plane. He will demonstrate how to prepare the blade, including tapping out and flattening the blade back. He will also show the fitting of the blade to its pre-cut block and offer tips for getting a snug fit. Chip breakers will be discussed briefly with descriptions on how to tune and fit one to your plane. David will demonstrate a number of techniques for profiling the sole of the plane and will wrap up by covering the body mechanics of cutting on the pull stroke.

There is a lot to cover in 2 hours, so David is not expecting students to follow along with their own plane; rather he is hoping for plenty of questions and a thoughtful discussion.

By Brian Holcombe

Saturday, November 6th, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$50 non-members
$40 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Introduction to Japanese Chisel Setup

In this class, you will learn about the design and strengths of the Japanese chisel, along with in-depth knowledge of how to set them up to perform at their best.

Japanese chisels, due to their laminated construction, can be honed incredibly keenly and yet remain easy to sharpen. And handles, often reinforced with metal hoops, can be struck with steel hammers and still last decades with the proper setup. This class will cover preparation of the blade, handle and hoop.

For those who cannot make the live class, or who want to follow along with their own tools later, access to the video will be available for two weeks after the live lesson.

Tools recommended for class:

• Half round file or a flat file and a round file
• Pencil
• Spare chisel
• Hammer and anvil or heavy block of wood
• Hoop installation device (not required)
• A way to remove the hoop, either a socket or round piece of wood
• Fine sharpening stone
• Diamond plate or a way to flatten the stone

By Andrew Hunter

October 24th, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$50 non-members
$40 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Introduction to Japanese Woodworking

Traditional Japanese woodworking has much to offer the West, particularly those of us with an interest in working wood with hand tools. Japan’s blacksmiths are renowned for the quality of their blades, and the carpenters are equally respected for the skill with which they use them to create strong and beautiful joinery. In this live Zoom presentation, Andrew Hunter will introduce the audience to the magical world of Japanese woodworking.

Whether you are totally new to Japanese tools and want to learn more about what makes them unique, or you have taken classes with Andrew before and enjoy listening to him go on about the things he loves about them, this class is for you.

Andrew will not only include instructions on how to get started using Japanese tools like saws, chisels and planes, he will also get into the philosophy behind them and will share what it is about Japanese tools that got him hooked in the first place. He will make an effort to explain how to apply many of the ideas and techniques into a western shop.

Please join us for this special opportunity to get expert guidance at a reduced price, and add another dimension to your woodworking!

By Jay Van Arsdale & Jason Forster

October 10th, 17th, and 31st and November 7th, 2021
9am - 4pm PST

$250 Members Only

8 person limit

Lanterns: Design & Build. Joinery Structure with Shoji Panels

Join Jay van Arsdale and Jason Forster for this 4-day, in-person workshop at Jay's shop in Oakland, CA

You will design and build your own lantern structure with shoji panels.

Making lanterns serves an important purpose, giving carpenters practice in model making for larger structures before expending more time and material during the actual build. These scale miniatures allow a woodworker a chance to work out ideas, develop designs and preview a more complete look than a drawing alone could.

Historically, model building was important in all temple construction and planning. Many models of temples are displayed in the temples themselves, showing changes made in some of the building’s reconstructions over generations while giving us a better idea of the original concept.

Students who are in the middle of a project, as well as beginners, are encouraged to sign up. A mix of students at different points in their process leads to a richer experience for everyone.

We will be offering our first ever "fly on the wall" option during this class. Kezurou-kai USA members will have the option to tune in via webcam during the entirety of these classes. Interaction with these "flies" will not be guaranteed, but it would be a great opportunity to see what these in-person sessions are about. In-person students should be aware of this webcam presence while they are in the class.

For "Fly on the Wall" viewing
For those of you who can’t make class but are interested in watching short live segments of it here and there, you can follow along on Kezurou-Kai USA and Jason Forster’s instagram accounts.
https://www.instagram.com/kezusa/
https://www.instagram.com/jason.forster/

Bring your own lunch and tools.

Please note: this workshop will be held in-person at Jay's shop in Oakland, CA. Exact location will be given to attendees after signing up.

*Attendees must be vaccinated and wearing a mask

By David Wood

August 22, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Practical Sharpening

The foundation for safe, pleasurable and accurate woodwork is effective sharpening. David will approach the subject of sharpening from a practical and professional perspective, one that woodworkers of varying skill levels can benefit from. This angle focuses on how to create truly sharp edges, reliably and in a reasonable amount of time, so you can get back to work.

He will lead participants through his recommended sharpening process for Japanese-style plane blades and chisels, using waterstones and simple hand pressure. The principles involved in this approach are optimized for Japanese-style tools but can definitely apply to Western-style blades. He will discuss the benefits and downsides of different styles of stones and will address the many pitfalls in sharpening that can make the process frustratingly time-consuming. There will also be ample amount of time set aside for any questions related to individual sharpening challenges attendees want to bring up.

By Jay van Arsdale & Jason Forster

Saturday, August 07, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$95 non-members
$76 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

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Ura Dashi: Restoring Land to the Ura

Ura Dashi is known in the West as "tapping out". This is a unique skill required of those using laminated kanna blades. This online workshop will present clear ideas with straight-forward demonstrations of techniques for a more successful and efficient process. More subtle properties of laminated steels will also be addressed.

By Jay van Arsdale & Jason Forster

July 11th & 18th, August 1st & 8th, 2021
9am - 4pm PST

$250 for 4 days (includes materials).
8 person limit. In person class.
*Attendees must be vaccinated and wearing a mask.
MEMBERS ONLY
MEMBER COUPON CODE CANNOT BE APPLIED TO THIS WORKSHOP

Lanterns: Design & Build. Joinery structure with shoji panels.

Join Jay van Arsdale and Jason Forster for this 4-day, in-person workshop at Jay's shop in Oakland, CA. You will design and build your own lantern structure with shoji panels.

$250 for 4 days (includes materials)
July 11th and 18th and August 1st and 8th, 9am to 4pm

Bring your own lunch and tools.

Please note: this workshop will be held in person at Jay's shop in Oakland, CA. Exact location will be given to attendees after signing up.

*Attendees must be vaccinated and wearing a mask

By Jay Van Arsdale

July 10, 2021
11am - 2pm PST / 2 - 5pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Layout: Tools & Techniques, Old & New

This online workshop will cover ideas and procedures to help ensure easier, more accurate and efficient layouts. Use and preparation of sumitsubo, sumisashi, sashigane, inks, pens, and other more modern implements will be addressed. This is the most basic, fundamental starting point for joinery construction.

Please note: this will be a 3 hour online workshop

By Dale Brotherton

June 26, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

15 person limit.

Basic Construction Joinery Techniques - Splice (Scarf) Joint

In this class Dale will lead students through layout and cutting of a Beam Splice. We'll use only hand tools. Students are welcome to follow along with their own tools and wood stock:

• Material: Two short pieces of equal dimension (about 2' long or one 4' long, a minimum of 2.5" up to 5" thick) is recommended
• At least two chisels: One 12mm size (9mm for small stock) and one wide chisel (36 ~ 48mm). An intermediate size and any others you have can be useful
• A 240mm to 270mm ryoba saw and a 210mm to 240mm dozuki, crosscut or ryoba saw
• A hand plane for surface flattening will be useful

The knowledge gained from this course will be readily adaptable to any scale of project. Please join us for two hours of working with wood as it's done in Japan.

Note: This is the third in a series on Japanese post and beam construction joints.

By David Wood

June 13, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Practical Sharpening

The foundation for safe, pleasurable and accurate woodwork is effective sharpening. In this class, David will approach the subject of sharpening from a practical and professional perspective, one that both experienced and amateur woodworkers can benefit from. This angle focuses on how to reliably create truly sharp edges on both chisels and plane blades, in a reasonable amount of time, so you can get back to work.

He will lead participants through his recommended sharpening process for Japanese-style plane blades and wide and narrow bench and paring chisels, using waterstones and simple hand pressure. The principles involved in this approach are optimized for Japanese-style tools but can definitely apply to Western-style blades. He will discuss the benefits and downsides of different styles of stones and will address the many pitfalls that can be frustrating in the search for a sharp edge.

Recommended tool list: grab your stones, a bin full of water, and any blades you'd like to sharpen. David recommends having at least a ~1000 grit waterstone, a 4000+ grit waterstone, a plane blade and a chisel for the class to be the most useful, but feel free to join no matter your setup.

By Andrew Hunter

June 12, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Advanced Kanna Tuning

In this class Andrew will go beyond the basics of tuning up a new plane. A sequel to his last kanna class, this online presentation will take an even closer look at fully utilizing your Japanese plane.

He will begin by demonstrating how to set up a new chipbreaker and give tips on how to get the most out of this somewhat complicated yet rewarding accessory. He will also delve more deeply into the shaping of the blade for optimal performance. This will include demonstrations of ura-dashi or "tapping out" of a blade. He will also cover some advanced sharpening techniques and will give suggestions for how to deal with the most difficult grains.

As a special bonus Andrew will share with the class the 12 inch wide kanna left to Kezurou-kai USA by master Japanese craftsman Fumiyoshi Yamamoto. This wide plane, or ooganna, is a sight to see and an inspiration for those of us who are reaching for the horizon of perfection.

By Brian Holcombe

May 22nd, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

15 person limit.

Chisel Setup

Learn to set up Japanese chisels; includes preparation of the blade, handle and hoop.

Tools recommended for class:

• Half round file or a flat file and a round file
• Pencil
• Spare chisel
• Hammer and anvil or heavy block of wood
• Hoop installation device (not required)
• A way to remove the hoop, either a socket or round piece of wood
• Fine sharpening stone
• Diamond plate or a way to flatten the stone

By Scott Wynn

May 15, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$40 non-members
$32 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

SHOP TOUR and Tool Talk

Let’s talk tools! Join me for a tour of my shop, where we can take a brief look at some of my projects and the shop’s setup, and then spend time comparing Japanese, Chinese, and Western style hand tools. I have an extensive collection to show you.

In particular, we’ll look at and compare Japanese bench planes, with a closer look at the less well-known Japanese joinery planes: rabbet, side rabbet, moving fillister, chamfer, plough and dado, and shaping planes. We can discuss important differences between Japanese and Western saws (there’s more to it than just cutting on the pull!), with important tips on sharpening Japanese saws. Benches, vices, and holding devices, including shooting boards, will also be discussed, plus demonstrating a knockdown Japanese-style bench that I use on site and in the shop. As this will be mostly a question and answer seminar, any topic related to Japanese tools can be discussed, as time will allow.

A professional woodworker for over 50 years, I have used Japanese planes and tools for more than 45 of those years. I have since written 5 books on hand planes, with one focused solely on Japanese planes, and a second which includes an in-depth look at Japanese joinery planes as part of an overview of joinery planes in general. I currently use over 65 Japanese planes, including bench, shaping and joinery planes, all purchased or made one at a time as needed over the years.

By Dale Brotherton

May 1, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

15 person limit.

Dovetail Joinery

In this class Dale will lead students through layout and cutting of a Housed Beam Dovetail. Both entirely hand cutting and pre-drilling methods will be covered. Students are welcome to follow along with their own tools and wood stock:

• Material: Two short pieces (minimum 2.5" up to 6" thick) of material are recommended
• At least one chisel (1/2" size for small stock, 3/4" for 3 1/2" stock, or 1" size for 4 1/2" and larger stock). Also, other sizes will be useful, if available
• A 240mm to 270mm ryoba saw and a 210mm to 240mm dozuki, crosscut or ryoba saw

The knowledge gained from this course will be readily adaptable to any scale of project. Please join us for two hours of working with wood as it's done in Japan.

Note: This is the second in a series on Japanese post and beam construction joints. The third class in June will cover splice joints. Each can be joined separately.

By Andrew Hunter

May 08, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Kanna Setup

In this live zoom class Andrew will walk you through the steps for bringing a new Japanese hand plane into full working order.

To start he will give recommendations to beginners for purchasing their first plane, as well as suggestions for refurbishing an older one. Andrew will then take students through each step in tuning up a new 54mm Yamamato block plane. He will demonstrate how to prepare the blade, including tapping out and flattening the blade back. He will also show the fitting of the blade to its pre-cut block and offer tips for getting a snug fit. Chip breakers will be discussed briefly with descriptions on how to tune and fit one to your plane. Andrew will demonstrate a number of techniques for profiling the sole of the plane and will wrap up by covering the body mechanics of cutting on the pull stroke.

There is a lot to cover in 2-3 hours, so Andrew is not expecting students to follow along with their own plane; rather he is hoping for plenty of questions and a thoughtful discussion. A video of the session will be available to all attendees for two weeks following the class.

By Andrew Hunter

April 24, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$75 non-members
$60 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Dimension Lumber by Hand

Learning to dimension lumber by hand is a most fundamental skill, right up there with sharpening! In this live, beginner level zoom class Andrew will take you through the steps to flatten, square and smooth any sized board. He will demonstrate the process with three Japanese hand planes, a rough, a jointer and a smoother and will describe how each is tuned differently depending on the task. Even if you use western planes the principals Andrew will demonstrate are universal. He will show you how to use winding sticks to judge flatness, give you tips for reading the grain and will demonstrate the planing process in a variety of wood species and figure. This is going to be a great class, so sign up to watch the shavings fly!

Please note that this is a lecture-based class. Tools are not required, and instead students are encouraged to observe and ask questions. 

By Wilbur Pan

April 17, 2021
11am - 1pm PST / 2 - 4pm EST

$40 non-members
$32 members (use Coupon Code from newsletter)

Class recordings will be available to all participants for 2 weeks.
Links to zoom class will be emailed the day before class is scheduled.

Japanese tools in a Western workshop: Shop Tour and Q&A

Sometimes people think that if you want to use Japanese tools, you have to sit on the floor. Join Wilbur Pan as he takes you on a tour of his shop and shows how you can use Japanese tools in a typical hobbyist workshop. There will be plenty of time for Q&A, and questions on any aspect of woodworking with Japanese tools (and others) are welcome.