Who or what inspires you to develop your practice?

There are many bladesmiths and knifemakers as well as other artisans and hobbyists from around the world and closer to home who have selflessly offered (and still give) encouragement and constructive feedback, as well as a fresh perspective. It’s these makers that have helped me raise my skills to where they are now and continue to do so.

The other thing I love is encouraging other makers or those fresh to smithing on this path and help take it in their own direction or even just for the sake of trying something new. This allows me to see on reflection where I myself started, which is both inspiring and humbling.

As well as that, the people admiring, purchasing and commissioning my work is another driving force behind my creativity.

If someone wanted to get a tester for bladesmithing, what would you advise ?

I’m not really in a position to offer demonstrations as my weekend courses have taken off in popularity – however I am operating a waiting list for 1, 2 and multiple day courses for any level.

bookings@glitteringedge is the best way to be added to my waiting list. Outwith myself, there are places like Summerhall and the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop that may be more flexible in forge time for someone just wanting to dabble.

If you could work on a ‘dream’ project, what would that look like for you ?

There are many side projects I have the burning passion to make – however for many years now, the Second Age Elven sword from The Lord of the Rings has been on my list to own (and subsequently make) since the film was released 20 years ago. There are of course other things on my list, but that’s certainly the longest running one.

What would you like the Scottish Bladesmith community to look like in the future ?

Until recently, I didn’t quite realise how many other makers there were in The Scottish Bladesmithing Community. It’s my hope that the community continues to grow and share work, tips, ideas and even work together on collaborative projects.

This building Scotland’s reputation of making high quality, artisan products with passion – moving away from machine made mass-produced items.

What is your relation with Whisky Barrel Damascus ?

One of my specialties is creating high performance damascus steel, which also incorporates steel hoops from old whisky barrels. Not only is this a great way to repurpose something that may otherwise rust away into nothing, but it also allows me to create blades – such as the already iconic Sgian Dubh and add a further culturally significant whisky twist into it. These can also be handled up with the cask wood to give it that extra bit of uniqueness.

Recently the SMWS featured me in their Unfiltered magazine https://unfiltered.smws.com/unfiltered-09-2022/one-of-a-kind