How Vogie Forge began: The first Vogie Forge swords were made in 2018, but the story of how it began takes us back to the mid 1800’s. The Dutch Vogelpohls went to Northwest Ohio area of America and were apparently nicknamed ‘Vogies’ by the Scottish immigrants there, an Old Scots word meaning ‘jolly’. It was easier to pronounce and has remained a shorter version of the family surname to this day. Dane's grandfather ‘Vogie’, kept the sword of an ancestor from the American Civil War, issued 1865. Dane was fascinated with this sword as a boy and constantly requested to view it. He studied it’s every detail, and tried to replicate it’s craftsmanship in his own rudimentary childhood works at home. When Vogie died in 2007, he left him the sword and his collection of hand tools handed down through the generations, many still in use at Vogie Forge. Mostly Scottish by DNA on his mother’s side, Dane descends from Cameron Covenanters who were persecuted by Charles II and fled to America. Naturally, he had an interest in all things Scottish and the history while growing up in America.  He brought his family to Scotland in 2012 as a missionary mainly to spread the good news of how Christ died for our sins and rose again.  When living costs increased over the years, Vogie Forge was started in a home garage workshop to supplement income and enable them to continue living in Scotland.  Established in 2018 near the Nethertown Glen area of Dunfermline, ancient Capital of Scotland and burial place of her Kings and Queens, history surrounded the forge from the beginning and the inspiration of such a place is undeniable. Now located along General Wade's military road in the hills of Perthshire, one's imagination is constantly reminded of this nation's turbulent past.  Out of a passion for history, appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, and love for this incredible country, is born every blade of Vogie Forge.  The old ways are incorporated as much as possible in the construction of each sword or dirk.  Tooling both ancient and modern (electric) are used to produce authentic and realistic recreations, true to the craftsmanship seen in historic finds.  Specializing neither in museum reproductions nor fantasy swords, the aim is to bring back what was, or could be imagined to have been, lost with the passing of time.  Not limited by simply copying what has been found in archaeology, but freely expressing and creating what is historically plausible, Vogie swords are original and true works of art.  Dane, the swordsmith, is experienced in a number of both metalworking and woodworking trades, and all these are brought together in the challenge of swordsmithing.  A knowledge of heat treating, tempering, quenching and annealing of steel, as well as an understanding of the properties of metals, was gained in college courses receiving a Machinist's Certificate, along with practical experience working at a machine shop.  Making swords as a hobby go back three decades to childhood days, and other past hobbies include blacksmithing, woodcarving, woodturning, and bagpipe-making.  Dane began forging blades after being given an old heat treating furnace by the owner of the machine shop, and making a sword for his son's birthday. These humble beginnings eventually led to the birth of the blade and scabbard of  'The Elizabeth', a Royal Honour of Scotland, here at Vogie Forge. Dane was among a team of craftsmen who presented the sword to King Charles III in July, 2023, and walked in the People's Procession at the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, or 'Scottish Coronation'. 

 

"The ceremony was a surreal experience for me personally. Obviously, a great honour to be even a small part of. But it was at the ceremony that it finally dawned on me what the sword was all about. I spent many hours inscribing and gilding the ancient Scottish motto, 'In my defens God me defend' on the blade. Knowing only that it came from an old Scottish prayer or poem, I pondered what it could mean. What's significant is that this King Charles (III), unlike the last King Charles (II), is a 'Defender of all Faiths' rather than 'Defender of The Faith' (The Church of England). As I walked down the capital city's 'Royal Mile' in the procession, I realized that hundreds of Christian 'Covenanters' walked down the very same street, not in celebration, but to their deaths for the cause of religious freedom. The gallows and guillotine were executing them on that same church property the last time a Charles was in charge 350 years ago! Heads, blackened by the sun, lined the streets of Edinburgh as a warning to not fall out of line with the Monarch's religion. I was overwhelmed with thankfulness as I considered that now there is a King who claims he will not punish a person for what they believe in. So for me personally, the motto was a perfect way of saying 'thank you' for allowing me to enter the UK and publicly preach the gospel those first 11 years during Elizabeth's reign, as well as a chance to send a riminder to the new Monarch that The Elizabeth Sword is a symbol to ensure Peace (not violence), Freedom of Speech, and Religious Liberty."