Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start wrJames and Dan recently travelled to the USA to train as BladeSports cutters and competition judges—an important step in bringing the sport to life here at BladeSports UK.
The trip was an opportunity to develop our cutting skills, learn from experienced people within the sport and gain a deeper understanding of how competitions are judged. Experiencing both sides of the arena gave us plenty to bring home as we develop training and future events in the UK.
A competition debut to remember
We also took part in our first BladeSports competition, putting our training into practice under competition pressure.
We’re delighted to have come away with James Bradshaw taking first place and Dan King taking second place in the White Division.
It was a memorable introduction to competing and a reminder of how much the sport demands. Power plays its part, but accurate cuts, control and composure matter just as much. There is plenty for us to keep practising, and we returned keen to get back to work.
A visit to Smoky Mountain Knife Works
The trip also included a visit to Smoky Mountain Knife Works in Tennessee, where we explored an extraordinary range of knives and craftsmanship. For two people immersed in cutting technique and blade design, there was a great deal to take in—and plenty to discuss afterwards.
Bringing the experience home
This trip marks an exciting step for BladeSports UK. The training, judging experience and our first taste of competition will help inform what we build next at Ambleford, near Tunbridge Wells.
Our aim is to create a welcoming community where people can discover competition cutting, develop their skills and share an interest in bladesmithing and craftsmanship.
We’re now inviting enquiries from our first 20 Founding Members. If you’d like to help shape the club from the beginning, visit our membership page and introduce yourself.iting!