Create a professional quality chef's knife built to last a lifetime!

In this hands-on artisan knife making workshop, you'll craft your own custom knife handle using a provided high-quality blade, starting from raw hardwood and working through each step with the care and precision of traditional knife-making techniques. You'll learn essential woodworking skills as you shape, sand, and finish the handle until it fits perfectly in your hand. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

  • What You’ll Make:

    • A custom fit hardwood handle for a chef's knife blade blank.

    • You will be provided with a high-quality forged knife blank, raw hardwood, 6mm brass pins, and all the necessary supplies.

    • The instructor will guide you step-by-step on how to roughly cut and shape the raw hardwood, pin the handle scales (the two pieces that form the handle), and perform final shaping and finishing.

    • The knife blade blanks we provide are crafted from a premium grade of stainless steel, chosen for a good balance of edge retention, rust-resistance and easy sharpening.

    Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:

    • Essential woodshop safety with a focus on the tools listed below

    • Using your own body as a measuring tool

    • Wood shaping and sanding techniques

    • Applying a food-safe oil finish

    Equipment & Tools You’ll Learn:

    • Table saw, Band Saw / Scroll Saw, Drill press, Spindle Sander, Belt Sander

    Class Outline:

    1. Introduction & Safety Overview: Woodshop rules, project plan, and safe tool use.

    2. Demonstration: Instructor demonstrates each step of the project, from breaking down lumber for handle scales to rough cutting and pinning.

    3. Hands-On Practice: Students work alongside the instructor to attach the scales to the knife blank, then shape and sand their handles with guidance and feedback.

    4. Wrap-Up: Applying a food-safe oil finish, care instructions, and Q&A.

    Other Class Details:

    • Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.

    • Class Capacity: 10 maximum, 4 minimum

    • Materials Provided?: Yes

    • Age Limit: 13+. Guardian required if under 18

    • Partner Ticket Available?: Yes

    • Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: Comfortable well fitted clothing, close-toed shoes, put your hair up, and be prepared to get a little dirty.

Please complete your registration below to confirm your spot.

For parking, please refer to the map. Zone 1 and Zone 2 indicate the nearest parking areas available for workshop participants and visitors to the Tool Library.

For any other inquiries, please contact Mike Schultz by email:

Mike Schultz
mike@stjohnstoollibrary.ca