The first twenty.
The start of something lasting.
Become a Founding Member of BladeSports UK
A powerful cut takes skill, precision and practice. Building a club takes people.We’re bringing together our first 20 Founding Members to help establish a home for competition cutting, bladesmithing and good company in the Kent countryside.
Based at Ambleford, near Tunbridge Wells, BladeSports UK will bring training, craftsmanship and club life together. We’re looking for people who want to take part, develop their skills and help shape the organisation from its earliest days.
20 Founding Places
Beginners Welcome
Based @ Ambleford In Kent
MORE THAN COMPETITION
The sport is only
the beginning.
A powerful cut takes skill, precision and practice. Building a club takes people.
We’re bringing together our first 20 Founding Members to help establish a home for competition cutting, bladesmithing and good company in the Kent countryside.
Based at Ambleford, near Tunbridge Wells, BladeSports UK will bring training, craftsmanship and club life together. We’re looking for people who want to take part, develop their skills and help shape the organisation from its earliest days.
Competition cutting offers a demanding combination of power, accuracy and control. There is always something to improve: your technique, your timing, your understanding of the blade.
Around that sport, we’re building a club where people can spend time together, share knowledge and make things.
Our plans bring together a forge, outdoor training space and a clubhouse with a bar and pool table. A place to work on a project, prepare for a competition, exchange ideas or settle in for a club evening.
Whether your interest begins with bladesmithing, bushcraft, traditional skills or the challenge of competition, there will be opportunities to explore it further.
BE HERE FROM THE BEGINNING
What makes a
Founding Member?
Founding Members will form the club’s first core group.
You’ll be joining while there is still plenty to build and helping us discover what makes the club work best. Your experience, ideas and participation will help inform training sessions, club evenings and future events.
You don’t need to arrive as an accomplished competitor or bladesmith. We’re interested in your willingness to learn, your respect for others and what you can contribute to the group.
You might bring practical experience, an eye for organisation, enthusiasm for the sport or simply the habit of turning up and getting involved.
You don’t have to know everything. You do have to care about doing things properly.
THE MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE
What we’re building towards.
The founding membership programme is being developed around five parts of club life.
01/ THE SPORT
Training & competition
Structured opportunities to learn competition cutting, practise technique and develop towards taking part in events. Progression will depend on demonstrated competence and the requirements of each activity.
04/ THE LEARNING
Workshops & special events
A developing programme of practical sessions, visiting expertise and opportunities to explore related skills.
02/ THE CRAFT
The forge
Opportunities to explore knife making and bladesmithing, understand the tools of the sport and learn alongside others. Forge access will be arranged around appropriate induction, supervision and experience.
05/ THE FUTURE
A voice in the club
Founding Members will have opportunities to give feedback and help shape the programme as it grows. We want to build around the interests of people who actively use and support the club.
03/ THE COMPANY
Regular club nights
Time set aside to meet, share projects, exchange knowledge and enjoy the clubhouse. Regular evenings will give members a reason to stay connected between training sessions and events.
06/ ONCE IN A LIFETIME PRIVILEGES
one-time opportunity
Our first twenty members will hold a distinction that will never be offered again, with founding member privileges reserved for those who helped establish the club. It is recognition of the commitment you make at the beginning—and the part you play in shaping everything that follows.
GOOD PEOPLE. SHARED STANDARDS
Who we’re looking for.
We welcome enquiries from adults of all genders and backgrounds, including complete beginners.
Respect
For fellow members, instructors, equipment and the site.
Participation
Make time to attend and contribute to club life.
Generosity
Share knowledge and help others progress.
Responsibility
Follow instruction and work within your competence.
Curiosity
Be open to learning, practising and improving.
20
wHY TWENTY?
We want the founding group to be small enough for people to know one another and for training, facilities and club routines to develop at a manageable pace.
Twenty members gives us a starting community with a range of interests and experience, while allowing each person to play a meaningful part.
Our ambition is to create a club that people value for years. Getting the first group right matters.
YOUR NEXT STEP
How to become involved.
01
Introduce yourself
Complete the interest form below. Tell us what draws you to the club, any relevant experience and what you’d enjoy learning or contributing
02
Meet us
We’ll arrange an opportunity to discuss the plans, answer questions and explore whether the club is a good fit.
03
Review the details
Before accepting a place, you’ll receive the membership fees, proposed programme, terms and participation requirements.
BE PART OF THE FIRST CHAPTER
Help shape what comes next.
In a few years, we want to look around the clubhouse and see familiar faces, well-used tools, shared achievements and friendships that began here.
That starts with the first twenty.
LET’S START A CONVERSATION