Our history
English knife makers since 2012.
Founded in 2012 by Dean Boyd and Joel Andreas, two former Royal Engineers. Over five thousand knives later, the workshop is in Petworth, West Sussex.
Watch the film9:51
- 2012
- Founded by two former Royal Engineers
- 5,000+
- Knives and commissions completed
- Petworth
- Built, finished and sheathed in West Sussex
How it began
Emberleaf Workshops was founded in 2012 by Dean Boyd and Joel Andreas — two former Royal Engineers who turned a lifelong passion for edged tools into a professional craft.
“We spent our life savings on machinery and kit, and turned a hobby into a business.”
Dean Boyd, Shooting Times, 2016
What began in a small workshop has grown into one of the UK's most respected custom knife makers — over 5,000 completed projects and collaborations with some of the world's most prestigious brands, from John Rigby & Co. to Holland & Holland, James Purdey & Sons and the Beretta Gallery.
Milestones2004–2026
ISoldiers2004–2010
- 2004
Dean and Joel meet at the Royal School of Military Engineering.
- 2009
Joel leaves the Army and becomes a survival and bushcraft instructor.
- 2010
Dean leaves the Army and joins Joel as a fellow survival and bushcraft instructor.
IIFounding2012–2014
- 2012August
Emberleaf Workshops Ltd is registered on Companies House.
- 2012November
The first Emberleaf website goes live.
- 2013
Emberleaf attends its first trade event.
- 2014
Dean and Joel become full-time knife makers.
- 2014
Shooting Sports, November 2014
Cutting Edge!
“Taking a closer look at the fit and finish, I have to say that it is excellent.”
Read the article
IIIAtelier2015–2026
- 2015
Start making knives for legendary gun maker John Rigby & Co.
- 2015
BDS Journal, Summer 2015
A cut above the rest
“It's obvious to see, but if you use the correct tool for the job, then it makes the job a lot easier.”
Read the article - 2015
Sporting Rifle, November 2015
A knife for life
“After three months of extensive use, I'm now sending it back to use the sharpening service that Emberleaf provide.”
Read the article - 2016
Shooting Times & Country Magazine, 8 June 2016
Cutting-edge craftsmen
“Five years ago, we spent our life savings on more machinery and kit, developing a hobby into a business.”
Read the article - 2016
Shooting Times & Country Magazine, 8 June 2016
Knife making
“A stalker skinned 20 or so deer in a week, ripping up through the breastbone, yet the blade remained as sharp as when first applied.”
Read the article - 2017
Become the new Ray Mears Woodlore knife maker.
- 2017
Move from Chichester into new premises in Petworth.
- 2018
First folding knives produced in a small batch for Holland and Holland.
- 2018
Start making knives for James Purdey & Sons and the Beretta Gallery.
- 2018June
Expansion next door creates a dedicated grinder room.
- 2018June
First Spartan Precision equipment knives produced (50 ever made).
- 2019
Begin making knives for British Special Forces.
- 2019February
Creation of the in-house laser engraving lab.
- 2021
Launch of the Folding Cael v2.
- 2021
Woodlore commission to remake the Woodlore Pro project.
- 2026
Launch of the new website and continued expansion of the folding knife range.
The workshop today
Every knife is ground, fitted, finished and sheathed by the team in Petworth.
How a knife is made
The people
The founders, and the people who build, finish and sheath every knife with them.
Who we areBy appointment, in Petworth.
The showroom holds at least one of every model we make. Book a visit and see the workshop where every blade is built — or commission a knife of your own.