The Game Fair 2026
Final Preparations Before the National Game Fair The countdown is over, and today has been dedicated to those final jobs before we head to Ragley Hall to set up for the National Game Fair. Every knife has been inspected, cleaned, sharpened and given a final coat of oil, while leather sheaths, display stands and signage have all been packed ready for the journey. Among the preparations was a knife I'd almost forgotten about. I made it over a year ago from a reclaimed file, but it never quite felt finished and ended up gathering dust on a workshop shelf. With a little time and a fresh perspective, I cleaned it up, etched my maker's mark and finally gave it the attention it deserved. The result is a compact kiridashi-inspired utility knife with a 60 mm high-carbon blade and a stabilised birch handle—a reminder that sometimes a project simply needs time before it finds its place. Tomorrow the van heads to Ragley Hall, where the stand will come together ready for what promises to be...