Rod Hughes

Rod is a bladesmith who specialises in making pieces of history and a film-maker based in Grayshott, Surrey. He makes swords as art and his work can be seen on TV and in museums.

Hughes works from his forge in Surrey, unusual in that it is a Viking forge which he constructed from local timber. Here Hughes uses charcoal and hand power to create his blades.

Rod has been a maker for over 50 years and works in iron, steel, copper, bronze, silver and gold, wood and bone.

Each piece is a hand-made reimagining of an ancient craft, the sorcery of fire and steel.

Despite coming to the profession late, Hughes has earned a reputation as a master craftsman of historical reproductions. His work, such as the Pirate Cutlass, is showcased in a selection of museums throughout the country and can now be seen at the Heart of The Tribe Gallery.