May 30 - June 1st, 2025
with Ricardo Sierra & Craig Boynton
Shave Horses, Saw Horses & Pegs
Course Description
The best pegs for timber frames are hand-made and ‘riven’ from straight, hardwood rounds, because when they are cut by saw or lathe, a lot of that wood is cut across the grain instead of with the grain. (The grain is vertical layers formed by each year of growth.) Pegs that don’t follow the grain can break or ‘shear’, creating problems for our beams and frame.
The traditional (and best) way to shape them is using a drawknife to carve them using a traditional ‘shave horse’. These devices were used in workshops across Europe and America by timber framers, woodworkers and coopers (barrel makers) for hundreds of years. In this workshop, we will make a traditional rough hewn shave horse, and learn to split and carve pegs using a fro and drawknives.
Students will also learn to cut tenons and mortises to build a variety of sturdy sawhorses that are capable of supporting large beams at the correct height for cutting joinery.
Participants can build their own set of sawhorses to bring home for a small materials fee.
No Previous Timber Framing or Carpentry experience necessary.
We will provide tools for this class.
Class size is limited to 10 students.
The Timber Frame Tradition
Timber framing is a method of building that brings people together. We quickly realize that we can't cut and lift our beams by ourselves.
In our workshops and courses, people of all ages and skill levels, come together as a team to create something beautiful. The rhythm of mallets & chisels, sawing beams and stories shared offers a sense of community, even for a few days, that reminds us of a way of building that was common for hundreds of years.
Course Curriculum includes:
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Timber Framing Tool Use and Care
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Sawing Techniques
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Splitting Peg Stock
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Shave Horse Layout & Cutting
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Shave Horse Design
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Portable Shave Horse Design
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Chisel Sharpening Methods
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Drilling and Assembling Skills
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Timber Framed Saw Horse Designs
Program Logistics
Friday Arrival Time: 1 pm ET
Sunday Departure Time: 12 pm ET
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Transportation: We can arrange for Albany Airport, Train or Bus pickup and drop off for an additional charge.
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Mortise Cutting
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Tenon Cutting
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Hardwood Peg Carving
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Post Beam Cutting
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Saw Horse Layout
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Split Log Sawhorses
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Tree Identification
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Work Safety & Gear
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Carpentry Skills​
All meals and housing is included!
We have newly renovated, cozy timber frame cabins for you to enjoy during your stay here; a comfortable place to relax after a day of working and learning. (double occupancy)
Our hearty, home made meals are served fresh each day.
We accommodate most allergies and food sensitivities with advance notice.
All wood, tools and materials are provided during the program.
Participants can make and take home their own set of saw horses for the cost of the wood and any hardware used. Please let us know if you would like to choose this option prior to the start of the workshop.
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Your Instructors...
Ricardo Sierra
Founder of Hawk Circle Wilderness Summer Camps and Hawk Circle Timber Frames
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Rick's passion for timber framing began when he was a young builder, working in New England and New York. He noticed a distinct difference in the 'feel' of a timber framed farmhouse, or barn apartment from the modern style of stick building. When he began building cabin and other spaces at his wilderness camp, he knew he needed to learn to cut in the authentic tradition.

He learned through working with Craig Boynton, through the linneage of Jack Sobon, using square rule and the Historical American Joinery aesthetic found throughout the New England and New York area. He has since built cabins, barns, workshops, retreat centers, houses, small animal barns, bridges and even some chicken coops.
Craig Boynton
Craig has been a timber framer and builder for decades, working in both traditional and modern building styles and designs. He specializes in unique and difficult custom woodwork through Bancroft Custom Woodworks and he has brought timber framing to Hawk Circle in the early 2000's to help create cabins and spaces that would last.
Program Registration
Shave Horses, Saw Horses & Pegs Workshop
May 30-June 1st, 2025
Tuition: $795 Timber Intensive
Includes payment plan, onsite lodging and meals.
$300 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
Tuition: $1,500 Timber Intensive/Commuter
Includes payment plan and meals only. No lodging.
$300 non-refundable deposit due at registration.
