The centre of the Merlin Wood philosophy is the belief that a high degree of hand tool skills is the key to fine woodworking . Also complete accuracy and the pursuit of excellence are fundamental components. Merlin Wood also specializes in woodworking courses for women - just under half of Merlin's students are women woodworkers.

The Merlin ingredients for success are: a thorough knowledge of the various aspects of woodworking; a demonstration from a master woodworker; practice, practice, practice; consolidation and integration of the skill within a more complex technical process. Merlin Wood instructors also emphasize that it is extremely important to have an empathy with wood and its many characteristics.

It is becoming increasingly clear that more and more people want to devote quality spare time to working with wood - usually to fulfill a personal goal or even a life-long ambition. A very human urge to create also plays an important part.

In the final analysis woodworking skills lead to cost savings as well as a complete sense of satisfaction when the project is finished.