Skip to the recipe? No such luck!
When I was still in High School, I had just been tested for Dylexia which changed my subjects up. As part of this I was able to drop Computing as a subject as well as German. Instead of these, I was put into a supportive learning class. Within these I was tasked with doing homework and studying the assigned BBC bitesize courses on the computer.
Like many other young people, I was interested in swords and armour so in these supported learning classes, I started a deep hyperfocus on this area of history. This led me to find a few tutorials on how to make chainmail and as part of this, I stumbled upon this trove of learning and patterns – Blackmaille. This fascinating compendium of knowledge set me to start making a few patterns of chainmail (now referred to mayle) and a foray into jewellery.
This was still at the time where schools sent their young people to find and secure their own work experience placements. A fire had been lit beneath me so off I went looking up the yellow pages and baffling the then Careers Advisor with my choice. As it turns out, nobody wants the risk or hassle to take on an unknown teen for a weeks worth of work experience.
By this point I was feeling a bit despondent. My mother said to me, “Greg, why dont you ask the local swordmaker?”
Greg “Theres a local Swordmaker?”
M “Yes, hes been there for years and you can see his shop sign from the living room window”
*shocked Pikachu face*
M “Duh”
Beside myself with wonder, I wasted little time in making contact with Macdonald Armouries and the Maestro himself, Paul Macdonald. At this point in time, he was based in a small garage down Brunswick Street lane. Secured with a big steel padlock, it took a few tries to catch him when he was in the armoury. I soon timed it right and was able to meet with Paul, who then agreed to take me on for the work experience.
A life changing week
At arrival on my first day, the door was closed (but no padlock) so of course I knock a few times. Lo and behold, a kilted Paul opens the door groggily and a few minutes later, another slightly hungover man in a kilt stumbles out. Apparently the night before was a good session celebrating Burns Night and the party came back to the armoury and its built-in drinks cabinet. It goes without saying that this was a slightly slower morning but an important one no less
It was during this week that I decided that this was definitely the life for me. I observed the creation of a German Fishtail pommel longsword. Along with this, Paul also stated the importance of form and function of swords and how fencing and good blade control can even help with your handwriting
Further Inspired
After that glorious week I delved deeper into my adventures with making chainmail and leather armour. This led me directly to join up with a reenatment group – The Knights of Monymusk who were based in Arbroath. After calling up the then Secretary, Lesley-Ann, we had a wee chat and I was invited to join the group.
I attended my first gig at Bannockburn. It was rainy, cold but there we were, huddled together in the tent in a range of medieval clothing and armour. By this point I had made my own mayle shirt that would definately no longer fit me! Once it was time for the battle, a number of people from several groups in attendance grabbed a spear each to form a Schiltron (spear wall) on the field. The announcer was walking through what was happening during this for the benefit of the audience and to keep us reenactors in time.
There on the field we were first facing off against about 6 horses which was to simulate the cavalry charge. Due to safety, they were to stop a good distance from us. Even with this small number of horses, the thundering of hooves trembling the earth beneath me was thrilling yet terrifying! It is at this point that I fell in love with the whole thing. After the cavalry charge, the rest of the opposing army engaged in mock battle. This experience is an incredibly fond memory
Back to the monotony of real life, but at this point wearing an alternative style of chainmail (yes, to school, I was that weirdo!) There were a couple of teachers at my school who thought I was more than a little bit around the twist and at least one who voiced her opinion to my mother one day something along the lines of “I cant see him making anything of making chainmail all the time, seems like a waste”. This was of course said in context and was well over 20 years ago when it was said but I still proved that teacher wrong, which is a small gloatable moment, but one I will happily embrace.
A few years later
Fast forward a few years where I worked a variety of jobs, including at The George Hotel where like anyone in hospitality I was overworked and underappreciated. However, I do remember one guest who I mentioned my interests to who was asking a few interested questions about it and was encouraging but I of cant remember what these were.
2011 was when I first started as a knife and swordmaker as an apprentice (such as it is as there is still zero funding for it in any capacity) I was fortunate enough to be taught several aspects of blademaking by the very same maker who I arranged my school work experience placement with. Fighting off fierce competition generated by Pauls massive following and local (as well as international) press releases.
Over the time of my placement I went from a total rookie barely able to control an angle grinder, to turning out numerous dagger blades and sgian dubh, plus the occasional sword. Alongside me, Dan and Lydia were taken on in a lesser capacity due to other commitments and schedules but we also formed a solid friendship.
Given that Paul operated out of a garage on Brunswick Street Lane, there wasn’t much in the way of heating – however a wee winter morale booster was toasted shortbread (yes, here is the recipe promised!) This consisted of sugary shortbread laid out on the anvil and the careful control of a blowtorch led to warming toasted shortbread and caramelising the sugar. This is still something I do for my own students to this very day.
As part of my time at Macdonald Armouries a huge segment of both learning and production was the revival of the Fairbairn Sykes Commando Daggers which, to this day, its still one of my favourite knives to make and I make a point to revisit every so often just for fun
A while into my newer placmment I had the pleasure of meeting a Bladesmith & Knifemaker who I count now as a very dear friend. He taught me the fundamentals of heat treatment of an array of steels, how to properly pair steels for firewelding together. Not only that, he taught a further study into form and function of practical, daily use knives – particularly those that would be used in bushcrafting. These makers have had and continue to have a strong influence on my style and approach to making as well as teaching during my own courses
From these two friendships I subsequently met several other fabulous makers – who have been mainstays as both friends and contemoraries ever since.
The next steps
In 2014, both myself and my dear friend Dan Devoy decided to set up in business together so we could work on our own designs and explore our own paths. Our only option for a workshop ended up being out in Gifford, East Lothian. This gave us a premises to work from, but it was a little precarious as setups go. Additionally, with both of us being based in the centre of Edinburgh it was a wee bit out of the way! The winter, whilst tranquil and beautiful, was something else, particularly as I had taken to camping slightly off-site to maximise my time there
The next workshop space was in the corner of a Green Sand Foundry in Leith which has since shut down (it wasn’t Laings). The chap I was sharing with was kind enough to arrange a space share but it should have been only a shorter term solution than it turned out to be due to different dynamics and space needs.
Thankfully however, myself and Dan got in early on a meeting of creative minds of what would end up becomming Edinburgh Open Workshop.
Back to Edinburgh
I wont get into the several shorter and longer term premises changes within this time, but in about 2018, EOW managed to secure lease on a larger premises on Assembly street in Leith, Edinburgh. This was ideal at the time for ourselves and several other small creative businesses and opened the door for a more sociable atmosphere.
Being in a creative workshop with numerous other makers was a game changer for myself and the business. In addition to this, not having to move for several years really allowed me to focus on developing and growing the business into what it is today.
I was also positioned to sell some stock in a couple of local shops – one of which was Court Curios on the way to Edinburgh Castle (well worth a stop in) and selling stock as well as a base order of swords for The Knights Vault as part of a 3 year agreement. As the custom sword market took off, I was getting more custom orders by way of TKV as both they and I thrived in our respective markets for swords, lots of swords
Lessons
A year or so in the Assembly Street premises, I started the tentative foray into bladesmithing courses. This started with 1 course a month as I grew and developed both my knowledge and teaching style. This quickly flourished and grew in popularity – so much so that I had to think about adding more courses each and every year. My health suffered as I overworked myself doing this as is the Achiles heel of many creative people. Eventually a balance was struck as the courses grew stronger still. Through these, I have met many wonderful people and taught them the basics of bladesmithing. A few have taken this further and pursued more difficult courses
Alongside this I was creating a variety of sgian dubh, bushcraft knives, culinary pieces as well as swords for my own clients. I did and still do love corresponding with my clients personally and making something meaningful for them and to their specifications. For swords, this started to include Scottish Oak display plaques made by my friend Anna of ALN Furniture. This way, people could have their swords proudly on display by making use ot the skills of another crafter of high-end pieces. I still utilise and highly recommend Annas skills for this as part of my sword builds but also for other fantastic furniture – definitely go check out her work! https://www.alnfurniture.co.uk/
Lockdown
During COVID, whilst I was still able to still work in some capacity, I do think the solitude started to get to me a little bit. However I would be surprised if there wasnt anyone not in a similar situation. One key difference is that I still had a way to focus this energy and frustration. A downside is that I still went a little feral. After a while, the courses were resumed in a careful and very limited capacity (with a great help by way of a couple of visored helmets kindly gifted to me from a client).
During this time, a fun commission came my way for a gift from Groom to Bride just before they tied the knot in a remote location. This was a rustic style dagger with wrought iron, 2,000 year old bog oak and a sheep bone from the Isle of Harris. The location of their ceremony was also laser etched on to the blade
Fast forward several months from this, the courses were back on track and more popular than ever – partly I think due to people revisiting hand made crafts and appreciating slower builds rather than fast or disposable fashion. I think as well, people were likely also sick of learning how to make bread!
Media and fancier pieces
After everything opened up again, I was approached by a group of Film & Media Students. The project was documenting a day in the life of a Bladesmith. This can be viewed here
Around this time I was also approached by Lady Buchanan of Clan Buchanan to commission a set of 3 inaugural blades. This being a sword, a dirk and a sgian dubh. These were then fitted up with carved silver hilts by master Silversmith Roddy Young in Inverness.
These pieces were to be used in the ceremony of the Inauguration of the new Chief of the Clan Buchanan. I was filmed extensively for my parts of the build, but the televised show showed only a few fleeting moments of me. It showed less of the other artists involved in this set. The focus on Scottish craftsfolk was lost to the editing room floor
Gealdyr Excalibur – This project really just speaks for itself but I have a dedicated page to it here
The Scottish Knifemakers Association & The Future
In 2022, the SKMA was created to connect makers like myself and the numerous other makers primarily based in Scotland. This organisation has grown steadily over the years and is a positive group without any gatekeeping. One of the main goals is to encourage newer makers and share advice, feedback and techniques. When one of us shines, all of us shine
As of the tail end of 2024, I was beginning to get itchy feet and feeling cramped in the space at EOW. I was quickly outgrowing this space and needed to find an affordable way to expand. This, however, meant that remaining in Edinburgh was no longer an option. I began putting out feelers to uproot my entire life and settle elsewhere.
Moving to Arbroath
By the time summer 2025 came around I had found a place that resonated with me. This is the exact same premises that I am now based in. With the welcome help and advice of family and friends as well as clients, I made the leap from Edinburgh to Arbroath.
Whilst I am still just beginning to put down permanent roots, this town already feels like home.
Aims for the future
Continuing teaching my lessons, expanding to more flexible options and expand on how many I can take on at once
Pattern welded swords, including heat treating in-house for swords specifically
Shop space and making more contacts in smaller and independent kilt & craft shops
Take on a member of staff
This wraps up the past 20 years of my journey to become a Scottish Bladesmith.
I think for my next blog, I will have something with a few more images instead. I have no lack of topics to choose from and write about
If you enjoyed reading this, please consider donating to my Ko-Fi which will help keep these blog posts going, or feel free to peruse from my available stock in my shop
https://ko-fi.com/glitteringedge
I look forward to sharing much more installments with you all again soon
