Pooley Sword is a traditional cutler and provider of

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dirk A dirk is a long-bladed thrusting dagger.Chisholm, Hugh (ed.); "Dagger", ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', 11th ed., Vol. VII, New York, NY: Cambridge University Press (1910), p. 729. Historically, it gained its name from the Highland dirk (Scott ...

s and

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s to the British armed forces and also to many Commonwealth and other overseas defence forces. Following the August 2005 closure of Wilkinson Sword's Acton works, Robert Pooley, who had been commissioning swords from Wilkinson’s since 1964, purchased many of the company's drawings, product records, spares, and much of their tooling, including both heavy and light machinery, some dating back to the late 19th century.

Sheffield workshops

Fundamental processes, including casting and blade manufacture, take place at the Sheffield workshops. Blanks are cut from hardened and tempered sheet steel, then ground to shape. Fullering of the blade is followed by polishing. Work in precious metals is carried out in Shoreham as well as in Sheffield.

Shoreham workshops

Craftsmen further polish, silk screen, and acid-etch the blades to traditional standards. Chasing and coin-metal plating are performed at this stage. Strike and bend testing are followed by several stages of inspection before the sword is despatched. The process typically requires six to eight weeks.

Historical services

The firm also offers refurbishment services on military and antique swords, dirks and lances of historical or sentimental value.

Swords of Honour

Swords of Honour are awarded by a number of military colleges and academies to the outstanding cadet of his or her class. Having formerly been supplied by Wilkinson Sword, Swords of Honour currently supplied by Pooley Sword include those for: * The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst * The Duke of Westminster's Sword – Army Reserves *

Royal Air Force College Cranwell The Royal Air Force College (RAFC) is the Royal Air Force academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to become commissioned officers. The College also provides initial training to aircrew cadets and is resp ...

Britannia Royal Naval College Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, also known as Dartmouth, is the naval academy of the United Kingdom and the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy. It is located on a hill overlooking the port of Dartmouth, Devon, En ...

– The Queen's Sword *

Commando Training Centre Royal Marines Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) is the principal military training centre for the Royal Marines. It is situated near the villages of Lympstone and Exton, between the city of Exeter, and the town of Exmouth in Devon, England. Hi ...

Royal Military College, Duntroon The Royal Military College, Duntroon, also known simply as Duntroon, is the Australian Army's Officer (armed forces), officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, Australian Capital Territory, Duntroon in Canberra, Australian Capi ...

– Australia * Royal Australian Naval College – HMAS Creswell *

Royal Military College Saint-Jean The Royal Military College Saint-Jean (), commonly referred to as RMC Saint-Jean and CMR, is a Canadian Military academy, military college and university. It is located on the historical site of Fort Saint-Jean (Quebec), Fort Saint-Jean, in Sai ...

– Canada * Royal New Zealand Air Force College * New Zealand Army College * Royal New Zealand Navy College * Christ's Hospital School * Australian Defence Force Academy *

Eton College Eton College ( ) is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school providing boarding school, boarding education for boys aged 13–18, in the small town of Eton, Berkshire, Eton, in Berkshire, in the United Kingdom. It has educated Prime Mini ...

Combined Cadet Force

Materials

Materials used in sword production must meet or exceed MOD specification. Blades are made from high carbon steel. The guards and back plates are made from forged mild steel and hand embellished before nickel-plating. The guards for the RAF and

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

Swords are cast in brass, chased and then gold-plated. Grips historically made of shark skin are now made with that of rays, related fish species under less threat. The Brown Leather Service Scabbards are hand stitched pigskin.

Bespoke swords

While ceremonial swords are typically crafted to long-standing MOD or regimental specification, a library of historic design elements, including military drawings, patterns and badges of regiments throughout the Commonwealth is also held. The company services private customers, incorporating family crests, mottos or novel blade designs such as Arabic swords and English Mamelukes. It creates bespoke presentation swords for overseas national and military commemorations.

References

External links

*{{official, http://pooleysword.com/
''87-year-old shares secrets of making UK military swords''
YouTube video about Pooley Sword by Forces News,

British Forces Broadcasting Service The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides radio and television programmes for His Majesty's Armed Forces, and their dependents worldwide. Editorial control is independent of the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces themsel ...

, October 2022. Swordsmiths Manufacturing companies established in 2005 British companies established in 2005