Start a Forged Knife Making Workshop

Professional and keen home chefs, outdoor users, collectors, gift buyers, and independent shops or restaurants that want a distinctive range.

Direct sales of finished knives and commissions at higher prices, plus wholesale to retailers. Sharpening, repairs and short workshops can bring in extra income.

• Forging and grinding skills built over time
• Heat treatment knowledge
• Pricing and managing orders
• Marketing and customer service

• Check the lease, business rates, planning use class and insurer's terms before taking on a unit that will run a forge
• Fire safety, gas or electrical supply, ventilation and noise rules, so check with your council and landlord
• Public liability, product liability and contents insurance, and employer's liability if you take on help
• UK knife laws on selling to under 18s and on delivering bladed articles, so check current requirements for online and trade sales
• Large steady orders are hard to win and the work is physical, so plan cash flow for slow months

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on your unit, forge, grinders, heat treatment oven and stock. These are estimates, so get real quotes for equipment and premises before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on your range, commissions and any trade supply. The estimates assume at least about 30 hours a week, and slow months mean you should plan your cash flow.

Check the lease, business rates, planning use class and insurer's terms, plus fire safety, gas or electrical supply, ventilation and noise rules with your council and landlord. Also check UK knife laws on under 18s and delivering bladed articles.