OUR STORY
OVER THE YEARS
British Blacksmith since 1995.
Having travelled for many years working as a journeyman blacksmith Alex returned to the UK in 2006 and set up Alex Pole Ironwork - creating high quality functional products for the home and garden. The business has evolved over the years and now specialises in forged cookware, knives and garden tools.
Alex Pole Ltd - est. 2015
Only traditional techniques are used at The Forge. All products are hand forged to the highest quality using the best materials available by a small team of skilled craftsmen. Quality of design, function and material are the cornerstones of Alex's work. One primary objective is to promote British blacksmithing and to demonstrate the relevance it has to society and culture in the 21st century.
FOUNDER & DESIGNER
ALEX POLE
“I have always had a fascination with metals for as long as I can remember. From sitting with my mum watching her make jewellery as a 4-year old to casting lead soldiers in my pre-teens, it feels like I've always been drawn to this material.
I started back in 1991 at art college, first to study jewellery-making and then architectural ironwork. After that came the wandering years filled with travel, training, exploration, experimentation.
In 2013 I travelled to Sweden and attended a course at the renowned axe-making centre; Gränsfors Bruk. I discovered a great love of toolmaking and from then on I moved my work in a new direction to include knife- and axe-making, as well as developing a wide range of kitchenware.
Blacksmithing is not just a craft but a way of life, and one that gives great satisfaction not only to me but I hope to others as well. My main role today is to design and prototype new products, often assisted by my team, and to develop the brand."
LASTEST BOOK
'BLACKSMITH'
Alex's latest book 'Blacksmith' was published in 2021 (Quadrille) and is an exploration into the life and practices of the modern smith, along with the history and folklore of this ancient art.
