So, here we are…
When it was announced that Ironside was closing at the start of 2025, I got more than a few messages of sympathy. Some people asked whether it was the end for me. Some long time customers even called me, encouraging me not to give up on what I do, and reminding me that what I have is a rare gift in this modern world.
Although I felt like quitting many times in my career, it is not in my nature. You can quit when you’re dead was always the saying on the training mat.
So, I’ve spent the last few months ruminating on what’s next. In truth, I knew that this question had been answered in July of 2024.
I was sat atop a Fell in Cumbria, at 21:30 watching the summer sun just beginning to set over what I can only describe as God’s creation. With my soon to be wife next to me, my only thought was “I don’t want to waste my life working 12 hour days, I want more of this”.
But work is what we do, and in my case, what I feel put on this earth to do. It is part of life, but what I knew then is that my work life balance was completely out of harmony. I had ended up building a monster that I couldn’t keep pace with, and the burn out was coming fast. I was left feeling unfulfilled creatively, and unable to express or pursue new ideas for fear of breaking from the mould of what was expected.
Ironside was born of necessity. I had only been making knives a month before I got my first orders. I had never built or run a business like that. There were many mistakes which really only get revealed once you make them and the repercussions are felt.
If there was going to be life after Ironside, it would need to look very different in order for me to sustain myself physically and emotionally, and spend my time with those who are most important to me.
The Arcadian is a concept more than just a name. It has an archaic meaning. To be an Arcadian is to live a simple and idyllic rural life.
Those closest to me know that this is what my wife and I are pursuing. We are not made for the rat race. I feel that this is a label that fits me better than the cloak of the Gaijin.
What it means for my work is to simplify, de-clutter and pursue creative fulfillment alongside the pursuit of mastery.
I’ve always sought to blend Japanese traditional blade crafting with the contemporary, and that will not change. If anything I’m going deeper than I have before. I want my work to truly resemble the tools of the modern samurai, not only aesthetically but functionally too.
I plan to split my time evenly between traditional Japanese bladesmithing and modern EDC tool making. This is the way I feel lead, and what has been in my heart for at least 3 years now.
I have no desire for work which becomes standardized or production oriented. My work will be limited by season, and individually made. I intend to produce around 50 pieces per season. While I do have flagship designs that are going to be worked and finished in various ways, I will also do once-off, unique creations that won’t be repeated.
Custom work has also lost its luster for me. I’ve felt far too controlled by the whims of what others want me to make. While I appreciate that this is simply the nature of business, it’s something I’m reluctant to endure again. I need to regain creative control over what I do.
So whilst I will make some provision for people to claim blades ahead of them being finished. The process will mean creative control is mine. Outside of the model and variant, the budget and some basic utilitarian parameters, how a “custom” knife ultimately looks will be up to me.
This should be considered more in the line of collaboration, rather than fully specified parameters. My goal with custom work is to create something I feel befits the owner. This is not going to be for everyone.
As mentioned, ny work will now be seasonal.
I intend to create all my blades for the upcoming season during the winter. This means most of the forging, grinding and heat treating will be done and viable blades will be provisioned. This means each season will be limited by what can be made during the winter.
I will spend the rest of the season finishing blades to the highest possible standards.
My goal is to create functional works of art. Blades that are not only utilitarian in their design but executed with an artists touch. Just because something is functional does not meant it cannot also be beautiful.
