Tools

Tools are a craftpersons means of expression, they help us work, create and expand the medium in which we work. A tool that is well loved and used time and time again becomes a part of the crafter.

A major part of the history of blacksmithing is the fact they supplied the tools for other crafts, whilst many crafts existed long before blacksmithing, the advent of iron and steel tools did make a lot of crafts better and easier.

Here at Bearded Pig Forge I believe this care and link to history should be explored and cultured again so I have begun making tools for crafts and slowly developing and expanding my own craft through doing this.

For commissions please contact me at [email protected]

Leather work

One of the first tools I was asked to make by another craft was a skive, a key tool in leather working. Approaching it in the same way as all my projects I first researched the design, talked it over with a client and then selected the materials to make it and began the process of forging, turning and finishing till we had the desired tool. 

Since then I now stock them as a regular tool for sale, as with all things they are made either straight to order or as a small batch of no more than ten. Another favoured tool I stock is the head knife or half moon knife, a wonderful shape to make and finish.

Leather work tools

Shop

My own tools

Self sufficiency

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To me a key part of smithing is being self sufficient in hand tools, back in history all smiths made their own tools and made the tools for each other so I believe it is worth continuing that tradition.

I make all my own tongs, punches, drifts, top tools, hardie tools, jigs and have started on hammers. It is a great way to learn more of the craft and to feel a connection with the tools I use daily.