87-year-old shares secrets of making UK military swords
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ต.ค. 2022
- For more than 200 years, Wilkinson Sword made swords for the military but, in 2005, they decided to shut up shop.
However, one former customer, Robert Pooley, who was 70 at the time, decided to acquire their sword designs and have a go himself.
Now aged 87, he makes and renovates swords for the Royal Family, dignitaries and militaries all over the world.
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My Dad was Artillery, but I went Infantry and was commissioned from the ranks. He leant me his sword to save the the $1500+ that a new one would cost me and I proudly carried that on parade. Wilkinson Sword truly made a fantastic product. Works of art really. Now that he's gone and I'm out, I've given it to a promising young Artillery Officer that I met at a function.
An amazing story!
Just as it should be, passing the sword down though the generations...surely it's better than a new one. Having something with real history at your side.
I hope that sword continues to be carried by a long line of deserving officers into the future. Better than gathering dust as a wall display or idling in a cupboard.
@@dlxmarks I do too David.
I was a Gunner in 161 Battery, 16 Field Regiment RNZA
I carried a Pooley sword, presented in 2021 by the Master Gunner St James's Park to the Royal Canadian Artillery, in the funeral procession for the Queen. It is a work of art, I was proud to carry it.
Thank you for being part of such a wonderful procession
@@kbproductionsgaming I 2nd that.
I probably saw you as I watched pretty much the entire event. Truly amazing and a moving experience. I greatly admired the Queen and even now I find it hard to believe she in no longer among us.
So he saved all those jobs! How wonderful!
He saved a half-dozen. Not to be rude.... He didn't save a pharmaceutical packaging plant...
The people buying and sending their swords in for refurbishment saved the jobs…
I met Mr Pooley on his visit to New Zealand to present the Sword of Honour to our top officer cadet.
He is truly the most genuine and sincere man, it was a pleasure to meet him.
As an expat living in NZ, that's awesome to hear.
No sword makers in New Zealand then? By the way, I love New Zealand white wine. In my view, it is the best in the world. That Elderflower flavour is incredible.
@@archiebald4717 No, all sword patterns used are British.
Most common sword patterns in our armouries are the 1897 British Infantry Officers sword, 1912 Cavalry Officers sword and Royal Artillery Officers Sword.
Intelligence, service, logistics, nursing, education, and medical Corps carry the 1897 pattern on parade.
These are all Wilkinson Swords, some newer Pooleys' now in stock. At a guess 75% have Elizabeth 2nd cypher, 5-10% with George 6th cypher and a very small amount with George 5th cypher, any older cyphers are held by the Army Museum in Waiouru.
Private ownership of swords by subalterns is rare, most are held in camp and unit armouries. Especially earlier pattern cavalry swords.
The Royal New Zealand Navy carries Royal Navy Dirks and Swords in 1929 pattern.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force carries the 1925 RAF sword pattern.
@@Sub_Cruce_Candida Thank you. That fascinating. So many connections between the UK and New Zealand.
@@archiebald4717 we are a commonwealth member and former colony of Great Britain.
We've have blended our Maori warrior culture and British colonial culture to form a unique fighting force.
Our rank structure is similar to the British in all three services, our naval and air force Squadrons are structured like the British.
We carry the Guidons, Banners and Regimental Colours bearing the Queen's cypher and battle hours just like the British.
We observe Reveille, raise the New Zealand Ensign at 6am and Beat the Retreat in most camps, just like the British.
Our only Navy base is named after its colonial sister base: Devonport (HMNZS Philomel).
Currently we have mentors and liaisons working on Salisbury plain with our Rifles counterparts.
I was smitten by the Wilkinson swords back in the 1980's. I used to be in a Horse Guards regiment in the 1970's in Canada but not an officer so I never even got my hands on one. I couldn't afford the traditional military model available from the importer but my parents bought me a poignard from Wilkinson which was still neat to examine. I sold it for a profit.
There was an importer in Canada of Wilkinson collector swords. One special event was to present a limited edition release of a sword to commemorate the Battle of Britain. It must have been the 40th. The blade was covered in etchings of crests and seals. Douglas Bader was the guest of honour. They cut up the etching screen to indicate no more such swords would be made.
Does anyone here Know who Group Captain Douglas Bader was?, I met him at RAF Coltishall in Norfolk...What and Inspirational man and a pain in the Arse to the German POW camps. Look him up..
@@KrasherJack I read "Reach for the sky" back when I was a scout. Brickhill's biography was a pretty good book.
When I was in bording school in Germany. Windsor boys school for British military children. There was a constant joke about Barder bitter. (For non English.Bitter is beer non carbonated.) Drink too much Barder bitter makes you legless.(so drunk you cannot stand) A reference to his losing his legs escaping from his damaged aircraft over Germany. Of course I was too young to understand at the time. Later in life after learning of his life. Every time I got blind drunk Barder bitter joke was always there, and this time I understood Lol.
Excellent work. Glad people are keep traditions alive. Craftsmanship is truly art.
They are, I am quite agree!
This is the most English thing.
"I didn't intend to make swords, It just happened"
What an amazing man & great company 🗡 👏👏
I met this amazing man once. A supply teacher at my school new him well and put in a word for me, and the next thing I know my family were invited to look around his workshop.
A truly inspirational man.
What an incredible job! Also what an incredible bunch of people
Man is an absolute hero, glad he gets his due respect
I didn't know that Wilkinson Sword had called it a day. Now I know where to send my Sabre if it needs refurbishing.
Brilliant video! Great to have a mix of content. This was very heartwarming - good job!
I have met Mr Robert Pooley many times, whenever he visited Windlass Steel Crafts.
I have Acid Etched so many Swords for Pooley Swords.
He always respect such a great person. Salute Sir 🙏
Balbir Singh
Worked up to 2013 in Windlass
This is one of the most wholesome things I've ever seen
What a wonderful story. Makes a change from everything being made in China.
I had the pleasure of working with Bob on a new hilt carving for one of their swords. He is a truly fascinating individual, extremely intelligent and absolutely bursting with interesting tales of his life. As I understand it he made several major contributions in the aviation industry, specifically in navigation, that are industry standards today.
How wonderful that Robert Pooley had the love of this historic military tradition to not only keep this historic tradition alive but to keep in alive and well in the UK.
Long may he live to enjoy his hobby and his investment.
Fascinating stuff…. I love when people keep alive old traditions. Keep on rocking old timer, you’re an inspiration! 🫡 🇺🇸 🇬🇧
Fantastic video and some highly skilled staff members there that clearly love their job.
What a wonderful man and a fascinating video!
My Father was an RSM in the Parachute Regiment and had a Wilkinsons sword it fascinated me as a boy! they are truly lovely things to look at
I love how the UK is so good at preserving its history. Great video!
this is a country who would take screwdrivers from workers because it could be used as a weapon and destroyed so many of their WW2 guns and property, I would say they do anything but that.
@@Brandon-yq1tm You can find bad things about every country Brandon.
Britain at it's Best 👍🇬🇧
All I can say is well done to him and beautiful swords that make.
WOW - absolutely brilliant to watch.
Loved this one!
Thanks for posting this. Absolutely fantastic.
Was completely absorbed. Will watch it again soon. I love polishing things, by the way. It's most rewarding.
Amazing video I am so glad the skill and craftsmanship is has been saved well done
Great to see artisans at work.
The kind of gentleman you could spend a whole fascinating day with. He and his team will be busy updating swords with the King's cipher. 🇬🇧 CR III.
Great video. I was looking into the manufacture after seeing "Wilkinson Sword" on an Army sword a few weeks ago. That led me to Pooley, and then their factory in Shoreham on Streetview.
I thought it would be interesting to see what goes on inside... and here we are!
The most interesting video I've seen in a while.
Fascinating to watch ordinary people doing miracles. Great watch.
Mr Pooley is an exceptional gentleman. Generous, passionate and it’s a joy to share his company if you get the chance. My husband is very proud of his Pooley Sword.
Such a wonderful story! So glad to see this is being kept alive. Nothing quite inspires the imagination like the sword.
Great story and a tribute to the Mr Pooley and his team of wonderful craftsmen, it gladdens the heart.
Good job, Mr.Pooley for reviving the great tradition. Best wishes from SOUTH Korea 👍
Another very important craft surviving this digital age 👌👌👌👏👏👏❤️
I have known Bob Pooley since I learnt to fly in the late 1970's and am still one of his retail outlets after all these years. Wishing him good health always.
Wonderful to see.. true passion for what they do! Bravo keep it up
AAAHHHH...!!
What a very inspiring story..
The lads in the shop all seem like a very decent lot..
Thank you sir for sharing this incredible knowledge wus. I LOVE SWORDS! Beautiful work.
What a delight to stumble across this film! More please.
Sadly, I do not have my father's R.N. sword, but I still have my own. This was a fascinating look at real craftsmen at work.
If this teaches us anything, it is to not get dull as we age
Fantastic work 👏
If I was a British citizen.. I would work for them for free.. the history of those swords must be immense.
I still have my dad's sword from his time in the Royal Engineers during WW2. Think I'll,get in touch with Mr.Pooley's firm for a refurb.
His love of his business is most likely keeping the old boy going. Great to see...
Thank you from the USA for this wonderful story! Mr Pooley and crew are great! Bravo Gentlemen! BRAVO!
I love stories like this, very interesting...
This guy donated a sword to my schools Combined Cadet Force (CCF). One thing of mention, is that we had to display to him a mock ambush, we didn't have rifles with us, so we had to pretend to shoot with hand guns, and scream bang. All the while, he sits on a bench in front of us, whilst we use it for cover, as another group runs and army crawls towards him. He was pretty happy about the result
A once great nation, built by the tip of the sword, now only have 1 tiny sword maker left. End of an era.
Im proud to say I have an un numbered Wilkinson , tis a beautiful thing
Amazing story, thank you for sharing!
Love and respect Sir.
I visited the factory in Acton several times, and got to know a couple of the guys there. The late John Arlett, one of nature's gentlemen if ever there was one, ran the place with a genuine enthusiasm for everything the company had ever done. Derek (whose surname I have unfortunately forgotten) was one of the master swordmakers, a vastly skilled man with a passion to make the best. As an engineer and blade enthusiast myself, the factory was as near heaven as I ever expect to get. In my collection at the moment is a sword that came out of the factory, made to commemorate 900 years of the Tower of London, with a gold and silver plated handguard. Sadly it is need of skilled refurbishment, but they seem quite busy with that at the moment!
I used to collect and shoot Webley revolvers dating from the 1880s until the First World War, including those made by Webley for the Wilkinson Sword Company. These were de luxe models which were offered for sale to officers who were purchasing their sword and other kit from Wilkinson. I researched Webley and Webley Wilkinson revolvers at the time, and John Arlett warmly welcomed me to the sword museum, showed me some of the swords in the collection, and gave me the company’s sales records for the late 19th century to read in the museum to aid my research. This must have been around 30 years ago, but I still remember John for his great kindness. My research at Wilkinsons formed a chapter of “Webley Revolvers” by Gordon Bruce and Christian Reinhardt. The swords shown to me by John included a handkerchief cutter, designed purely for the impressive trick of cutting a handkerchief in half in mid air after it had been dropped, a sword designed to build up strength in the sword arm by using the sword to cut through lead ingots of increasing thickness, and the personal sword of Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar VC. John was kind and charming, one of nature’s gentlemen indeed!
@@neilfoddering921 Ah yes, I remember the "lead cutters" in the museum. My great-grandfather fought with Lord Roberts in Afghanistan, and took part in the march from Kabul to Kandahar.
Remarkably uplifting 👍
It's weird, but you see the PH sword-ruster thing in guitarists, some of whom wear out steel strings in no time, while others can use the same set for months on end.
true, i had a german sallet with bevor when i touch and handle it, its fine left it on pedestal for a while. a friend comes over and picks it up and wore it for a bit. three days there was rust spots where he touched. interesting
Great gentleman to save the company and the workforce this craftsmanship must be passed down through generations for it to survive. Simply put machines can't replace what hands and hart can produce.
Love to see... when others think of retiring, this chap began a new life!
"Are you happy?" What a wonderful man.
Wonderful story. What a man and what a great team .😃
What an entirely brilliant story. I hardly ever say this but this man makes me feel proud to be 🇬🇧
Good man.
Good craft and art.
salute, every real sword maker earns my respect
Amazing SIRAmazing Sir Pooly, thank you and honours to you!
A GREAT VIDEO ! I'M SO VERY HAPPY THE TRADITION IS BEING PASSED ON SIR .
Magnificent and heart warming 👍🇬🇧👍
I can't believe Wilkinsons Swords just stopped! Not enough profit in it I suppose.
Corporations don't seem to understand that there are things more important than profit.
Well done to Mr. Pooley and his team. Hero's keeping history and tradition alive!
Well not many people would be buying the swords in all honesty other than the military and its not like all soldiers would get one and not all would get a new one as they would often be passed down either via family or from a retiring officer to a new one
I saw that Pooley Sword had taken over as a footnote on Wikipedia one time and was always very intrigued to know more but never able to, thank you.
Fantastic.
I make and restore armour. My ACCIDENTAL speciality is miniature armour.
Any scale, but 1/6th is the norm, but currently a LOT smaller. All forged by hand, and all in steel. There is no 3D printer here!
Most of my clients are in the military, predominantly in the United States, and I consider it an honour to be able to be provide the cherry to crown such an honourable career.
Respect to all fellow metal-botherers.
Best wishes from an Englishman in a French forest, and BRAVO Robert Pooley 🏆⚒️🇬🇧
I’m a blacksmith in Kentucky, this was amazing to watch!!! Thank you Robert, even tho you’ll never see this Lol your an inspiration.
Truely unbelievable & legendary. at 70
Fantastic
Metal work is nice hobby and one way to spend your time 👍
Awesome story! 👍🏼♥️😄
Nice piece.
What a wonderful story.
Wilkinsons make amazing stuff
Got our sister one for her passing out at Dartmouth. Beautifully made.
Hats off to the Skilled People who are doing this. 🇬🇧®️
That shop is awesome! If I had more money I'd love to get my hands on one
Give this man a knighthood!!!
A true gentleman!!!
He designed my artillery sword - an amazing work of art.
Good man
Finest military swords in the world!!! I would trust Wilkinson!!! ❤❤❤
Robert seems like a great employer.
what a legend
“Yeah, I had the King’s sword in” legendary
I had a neighbor who was given a Wilkenson Sword, as an award for being the companies top salesman in the U.S back in the seventies it was the finest blade I've ever seen.
This guy is great, I wish him a great long heathy life.
Watching the video with my Cavalry officers sabre sat tucked away in the corner of the room - a Pooley Sword purchased on commissioning not kong ago.
Respect.
Taker her to school, granddad! 😀
OK, jokes aside, what an interesting gentleman.
Almost every civilization on Earth has a sword, and while the secret of making them is more prevalent than ever, making good-looking militarily regulation swords is getting rarer and rarer. There are a lot of people who will make you a fairly decent blade for your wall, some of the regulation military blades for sale out there just look AWFUL. And master swordsmiths who professionally make swords for your military are rare and precious things.
And a quick aside.... could **imagine** what it would be like if your sword gets the first CRIII cipher?
This one MADE MY DAY! Hurrah! Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the SWORDS! Britons never never never will yield THEIR Swords!
Good Man 😊