I offer a range of other services beside making tools from scratch...
I offer a full sharpening and refurbishment service for virtually any cutting tool. I can put a better than new edge onto your knives, scissors, saws, etc. I will also re-grind axes, hooks and the like when the are very damaged (or brand new and badly ground!).
I will replace tool handles with new commercially made ones or my own handmade handles where appropriate. If your tools have been damaged by over heating I can re-temper then. I can often straighten bent blades.
Click here for a price guide or contact me for more information.
Sharpening Service
Sheath Making
I will happily make leather sheathes, blade guards or cases for any of your existing tools and knives. Many people throw their tools into their tool boxes or the back of a Landrover with nothing to protect the blades from damage (to the tool or to people). I have made sheathes for chisels, billhooks, axes and the like.
If you have made your own knife, but do not want to make the sheath, then I can always make one for you. I can do inlays, overlays, set stones, carved and tooled decoration, just look through my gallery for ideas or previous work.
I have put together an archaeologically accurate Iron Age forge set up, which I can take out to almost any venue to perform demonstrations. I can also teach small groups how to forge using this equipment (no previous experience required).
An Iron Age blacksmith is a great attraction for many types of show, but with my specialist knowledge of both archaeology and ferrous metallurgy University archaeology departments would find this particularly useful as a teaching aid (or indeed for promoting their courses at open days).
I am currently expanding my setup to cover most periods from the very early Iron Age through to the medieval period.
Click here to go to my Iron Age Forge page to see more of what I do.
N.B. I have recently seen other schools offering 'Iron Age blacksmithing', but beware! Many are using set ups that bare a passing resemblance to my own, but they may not be all they appear! All of my equipment at shows, demonstrations and courses advertised as being of the Iron Age is archaeologically correct. I have spent a great deal of time in researching and recreating the kit to be this way.
They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but remember if you want the real deal; then I'm the closest thing there has been to an Iron Age blacksmith for nearly 2000 years!
Dates for 2009
The list below includes all of the shows and courses that I have arranged thus far, as new dates are added and confirmed I shall update the list. So keep looking back to see if I'm offering anything of interest!
Courses are in white and all held in my woods at Cheriton Bishop in Devon
Shows where I shall be demonstrating/exhibiting are in black.
Here you will find more information on the courses listed below, including available paces and prices.
DateEvent
Knifemaking Supplies and Courses
Courses
I run a range of knife/tool making courses, tailored to your desires. I will teach you individually to make the knife or tool of your design. I also run short courses to undertake parts of the process, for example if you only want to make a blade, handle or sheath with me.
Click here for more information on courses and examples of the work produced by my students.
Knifemaking Supplies
Knifemaking as a hobby is on the increase in the UK, but not everybody has the time, equipment or desire to make their own blades. That is why I offer pre-made blades for sale. You can design your own blade and ask me to make it for you, or you can choose from one of the blades that I have ready (see link below). I will finish the blade to whatever state you desire. So it can be forged and heat treated but not polished to it's final finish, or it can be supplied completely finished with only the handle required. I offer any type of blade that I would normally make, from forged finished to pattern welded.
Here you can find the blades that I currently have ready for you to use. I have also included some examples of what previous customers have done with my blades.
Last Updated
7/8/2009
February
21st-22ndSharp Tool Use. Learn to use sharp tools safely and efficiently.
March
7th-9th Knifemaking course with the Iron Age Forges. This course includes a third day to make a sheath.
14thTool refurbishment. Learn to repair and rehandle a range of hand tools. (Partnered with the course below)
15thSharpening Course. Learn to sharpen the tools that you bring with you (time permitting)
April
18th-9th Bow Making. Carve out your own fast shooting bow under instruction from a professional bowyer.
20th Arrow Making. From shoots to finished arrows. Timed to fit with the bowmaking, but open to everyone.
May
1st-3rd Outlaw at Dumnonii (LRP event) as the Iron Age smith nr Okehampton, Devon
17th Knives UK 2008. THE British Knife show Tortworth Court, Watton-Under-Edge, nr(ish) Bristol
30th-31st Axe Making with the Iron Age forges. Forge a useful small axe and make a handle to suit.
June
20th-21stBentley Hands On History. The arts and crafts of our acestors!Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum
27thSheath Making. Come and make yourself a leather sheath for virtualy any sharp knife or tool.
28thPouch Making. Come and make yourself a leather 'possibles pouch'. (partnered with above course)
July
11th-12thKnifemaking course with the Iron Age Forges.
18thSharpening Course. Learn to sharpen the tools that you bring with you (time permitting)
19thAxe Use and Maintenance. Learn how to use a variety of axes safely and efficiently (partnered with above course)
August
31st july- 4thBushcraftUK BushMoot 2009Merthyr Mawr (Nr Brigend), South Wales
12th-13th River Cottage Festival River Cottage HQ (Park Farm), Axminster
19th-20th Midland Game FairWeston Park,
26th-27th Knifemaking course with the Iron Age Forges.
October
24thDutch Knife ShowHoogkellenseweg , Netherlands
31st-1st nov Feast Weekend. Make cooking & eating kit, culminating in a seasonal feast!
November
7th-8thBelgium Knife ShowGembloux, Belgium
14thSharpening Course. Learn to sharpen the tools that you bring with you (time permitting)
15thSpoon Making. Come and learn to carve wooden spoons and a variety of other treen. Partnered with above course
December
21st-22ndSharp Tool Use. Learn to use sharp tools safely and efficiently.
I have often been asked to make a knife for people to give to loved ones as a special gift, but the customer doesn't always know what would be the best knife for their friend. It's at times like that that I offer them a gift voucher, personalised for them.
I can make up a voucher for any value you wish, alternatively, I can make up a voucher for a particular piece. For example if you wanted to give a GreenMan Pro bushcraft knife to somebody for Christmas and you ask me with 5 days to go if I have any, chances are that I won't . Instead I can send you a special gift card with a photograph of the intended gift and an eta on the real thing.
Gift vouchers can be used in full or part payment of any Dave Budd product or service (though no change can be given). This means that a gift voucher could translate into your friend's ideal knife or it could give them the oportunity to come and spend time in my workshop on a knifemaking course so that they can produce their own!
