Caledonian Craftsman

16/03/2026

Thank you to all the staff at TORM, the other traders and of course all the customers - it was a fantastic weekend, marking my best TORM to date.

Looking forward to seeing you all again in November!

What a fabulous weekend. Big thanks to all of our customers. It was great to see you. Hope to see you next time.

14/03/2026

Second day of The Original Reenactors Market going well - stop by, say hello, and buy something if you feel like it!

10/03/2026

Final preparations for TORM underway, see you at the weekend! Back in the cricket hall this time round, with a good range of shields and leatherwork in tow.

If you're interested in custom Scabbards, feel free to bring the sword along and we can discuss what you're looking for.

17/02/2026

You know it's The Original Reenactors Market preparations when your dining table is covered with work in progress. Here's a batch of tartschen (targe/buckler/ecranche) and ungrischen schilt (Hungarian shield) from the Gladiatoria manuscript (MS germ. quart. 16), alongside a batch of seax sheaths for a customer.

11/02/2026

Back in full swing for work, dussacks, scabbards, shields, and many more pieces on the list for customer and of course for TORM which is only a month away.

Alonside this, there is currently a very important public consultation ongoing regarding potential licensing for knife sales in the UK.

As someone who uses knives in my work everyday, a multitude of swords in my HEMA practice, and frankly as anyone uses knives in the home be it for cooking or diy, this would be hugely impacful if it were introduced.

Needless to say I am 100% against it, and you can read my 250 word final comments below:
I understand that the government wishes to address issues around knife crime, however this type of legislation is far overreaching. From Apr 2023 - Apr 2024, the ONS reported that 262 people were killed with a sharp instrument, 109 of those with a kitchen knife, 48 'other' knives, and 45 not recovered, and a smattering of other articles.
Licensing would seriously impede a vast number of innocent people who are doing nothing wrong from trades people to hobbyists - chefs, woodworkers, leatherworkers, gardeners, bushcrafters, fencers, reenactors, butchers, fishers, and ultimately anyone who wants a kitchen knife or to do a bit of DIY.
Knife crime is a result of several factors, and those that want to do it will find whatever instrument is easiest to find to use, kitchen knives, screwdrivers or if needs be a bar of steel cut to a point with a hacksaw. Licensing is not a solution to this issue, it needs to be tackled at the root cause of the issue (poverty, gang culture, disengagement from society and a host of other negative influences) not the final barrier of what can people use.
The vast majority of ordinary people should not be punished for the crimes of a tiny minority, a principle I think nearly everyone would agree with.
As a final note, as a person use uses blades every day for my work, hobbies and home life, I fully support the official response from SABHA (Sword and Blade Heritage Association) in this matter.

If you want to help, please go and see Sword and Blade Heritage Association (SABHA) - UK, and if you wish to read their more detailed repsonse you can find it in the group files.

If you want to have your say, you can do so here:

Please take a few minutes to take our survey.

31/12/2025

Well, it's been a busy couple of months for me, and not work wise. As I mentioned at the start of November when I had to pull out of TORM, I had a family health crisis.
Sadly, this ended with my mother passing away, and so for many reasons regarding home clearance, funeral organising and more there has been very little work getting done since then.

However, that is past now - I've had a good holiday over the Christmas period, both with family and quiet time to myself, and will be enjoying a few more days off until Monday 5th January, after which I will hopefully be getting back to work full time.

The last year has been a good one with me in many regards, with all time highs for sales at events and online, and many happy customers.
While the last couple of months obviously didn't go to plan, there's a lot there I was intending for TORM that's hopefully hitting my website in January, and I will of course be there in March. Hopefully I will be at plenty more events over the coming year, and there will be plenty of new developments and products as well.

Happy New Year to all! All the best for 2026!

06/11/2025

Sadly I have had to pull out of The Original Reenactors Market next week due to a health crisis in the family. Also as a result my work flow and any response times will be severely disrupted.

I will likely not be taking on any commissions etc. till the new year, and made to order purchases on my website will see significant delay. Any outstanding orders will be processed ASAP.

I will be updating stock lists online, and if items are in stock they will be dispatched as normal.

19/10/2025

That's me in TORM prep mode (have been for a little bit to be honest) looking forward to it - last big show of the year!

It is time to Meet the Traders for November TORM -

The Stomping Seamster
Caledonian Craftsman
Hare and Tabor
Red Hare History
Bristol Blue Glass

08/07/2025

Over the last few days I've been working on some stock shields:
13th/14th Century Heater Shields
15th Century Hungarian Shields
15th/16th Century Bouche's/Tournament Shields
This is (some of) them fresh out of the presses, ready for final shaping before being faced etc.

Also been stocking up of dussacks, including a sponsored piece for Messerfest, and of course fulfilling a few orders for other pieces which will be on here soon.

22/06/2025

Longsword scabbard, belt, and matched rondel sheath for late 15th century English reenactment.
Steamed wooden core around the blade, with hand stitches veg tanned leather outer, along side a belt with my own cast fittings (buckles and hooks).