Pooley Sword
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| Manufacture | |
| Industry | Sword manufacture |
| Founded | November 2005 |
| Headquarters | Shoreham Airport, Shoreham-by-Sea, England |
Key people | Robert Pooley, Jane Ventris, Jane Sheridan |
| Slogan | Conare et Vinces |
| Website | http://pooleysword.com/ |
Pooley Sword are the leading cutlers of swords, dirks, and lances to the British armed forces and also to many Commonwealth and other overseas defence forces. In August 2005, the distinguished sword makers Wilkinson Sword, who had been established for over two hundred years, closed their works at Acton and ceased trading as sword makers. Robert Pooley, who had been commissioning swords from Wilkinson’s since 1964, purchased many of their drawings, product records, spares, and much of their tooling, including both heavy and light machinery, some dating back to the late 1800s.
Sheffield workshops
The Sheffield Workshops form an essential part of the manufacturing procedure. Not only are the blades manufactured here but also a considerable amount of casting is carried out. The blades are cut from sheet steel which has already been hardened and tempered to the highest of standards. It is then ground to shape as it has been for centuries in an old workshop on the banks of the River Sheaf. From there it enters another workshop for glazing and the fuller to be shaped into the blade. It is then highly polished. Silver and Goldsmiths work is also carried out in Sheffield as well as London. The main workshop in Sheffield is on the same street as Wilkinson Sword workshop was at the end of the 1800s.
Shoreham workshops
The sword is finished, polished, silk screened and acid etched in the traditional manner by a team of highly skilled craftsmen. Chasing and Nickel plating as well as Gold plating are also carried out at this stage. Strike and Bend Testing and two inspection procedures are undertaken before the final inspection. Once passed through quality control, the Sword is then despatched to its new owner. The whole process usually takes between 6-8 weeks to complete.
Another important tradition is the refurbishment of Swords, Dirks and Lances which is carried out by an engineering team led by Head Cutler, Peter Harmsworth, an ex Wilkinson Sword man with a long career in high end manufacturing. Pooley Sword refurbish an extensive range of military and antique swords. It is important that sympathetic refurbishment is carried out to preserve Swords with historical or sentimental attachments for future generations.
Sword of Honour
Pooley Sword provide the Sword of Honour to many Military training establishments. This is typically awarded to the best overall Officer Cadet of their intake and is presented by the Reviewing Officer at the Commissioning Parade. Swords of Honour currently provided by Pooley Sword are:
- The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst
- The Duke of Westminster’s Sword – Army Reserves
- Royal Air Force College Cranwell
- Britannia Royal Naval College – The Queens Sword
- Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
- Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College
- Royal Military Academy Duntroon – Australia
- Royal Australian Naval College – HMAS Creswell
- Royal Military College Saint-Jean – Canada
- Royal New Zealand Air Force College
- New Zealand Army College
- Royal New Zealand Navy College
Materials
All materials used in the production of the Sword meet or exceed MOD specification. Pooley Sword blades are made from High Carbon Steel. The guards and back plates are made from forged mild steel and hand embellished before being Nickel-plated. The guards for the RAF and Royal Navy Swords are cast in brass, chased and then gold-plated. The grips are made using the traditional fish skin rather than imitation plastic. Historically shark skin was used however sharks are now a protected species therefore ray skin is used in its place. The Brown Leather Service Scabbards are hand stitched Pig Skin.
Bespoke Swords
Although Pooley Sword individually hand craft British Military Ceremonial Swords to MOD and regimental specification, they also work with their clients to design individual Sword patterns to incorporate family crests, mottos, or even a new design for the complete blade. Their Design Technician, Adam Cook, has created a library of military drawings, patterns and badges of regiments throughout the Commonwealth to work with. Pooley Sword create bespoke Swords for national and military anniversaries and celebrations. Pooley Sword also produce bespoke Arabic Swords and English Mameluke Presentation Swords for the high end of a very specialised market.