History

With the invention of bronze, first swords originated from copper daggers, with bronze being a harder metal than copper and enabling the extended length. However, swords in the shape and length we think of today originated with the development of iron, around 12th-13th BC. While sword making was popular  in the continental Europe through the middle ages, the history of sword making in the UK is dated to begin in the early 17th Century in the area of Hounslow and has been powered by the demand of the civil war. It has steadily been developing from then and becoming a competing force to the products manufactured on the continent (particularly in Germany). Perhaps, the most notable British maker of swords is the Wilkinson Swords, a company that rose to prominence using a rigorous technique of blade bending to ensure high quality of the swords produced. Even though the presence of English swords and blades on the market was growing, it wasn’t until 1908 when the British War Office Committee patented the British Cavalry Troopers’ Sword which was a triumph of design but in terms of combat came a little too late to become a favoured weapon. Wilkinson Sword continued to provide weapons to the British market and abroad during the rest of the 20th Century, catering for the British cavalry and to British officers who were required to carry swords. It was only in 2005 when Wilkinson Swords ceased their functioning as sword makers instead focusing on making razor blades.

 

Techniques

Swords have been made of different materials over the centuries – copper, bronze or steel and are still produced using the traditional methods by blacksmiths in a process referred to as bladesmithing. The most basic techniques are forging and stock removal. Forging means forming the sword’s blade to shape by heating the blade material to be flexible enough to then hammer it to shape using hammer and anvil together. There are four main criteria to evaluate a sword – strength, flexibility, hardness and balance.

 

Local forms

• Japanese swordsmithing
• Egyptian swordsmithing
• Greek swordsmithing

 

Sub-crafts

 

 

Issues affecting the viability of the craft

• One of the main issues is the legislation around the sale and ownership of swords.
• Less military relevance, now more of a symbolic value

 

Support organisations

• The Royal Armouries
• Fitzwilliam Museum
• Worshipful Company of Cutlers  

 

Craftspeople currently known

Individuals:

• Paul Binns
• Rob Miller, Castle Keep Swords
• Rod Hughes
• Jake Powning
• Paul McDonald
• Marco Danelli
• Owen Bush 

Businesses:

• Pooley Sword Ltd
• Crisp and Sons Ltd
• Thomas Fattorini Ltd

In August 2005, the very distinguished sword makers Wilkinson Sword, who had been established for over two hundred years, ceased trading as sword makers.

 

Other information

 

 

References