Pooley Sword is a traditional cutler and provider of swords, dirks, and lances 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 MBE, 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:
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 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 lesser 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 clients, 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.
