Kyneton blacksmith Peter Trott has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship for 2023 to travel abroad to study traditional hand tool manufacturing techniques.
Trott specialises in traditional woodworking hand tools. He has built his knowledge through years of teaching, both carving and windsor chair making, and now works solely on the manufacture of edged tools to support traditional trades.
The Churchill Fellowship will take him to the United States next April to train under some of the world’s best tool makers, building knowledge of manufacturing techniques, design and hand tool ergonomics. and learning skills passed down through generations of makers.
“The project seeks to support a revival of the forgotten trades industry in Australia through the creation of traditional hand tools for Australian craft and furniture makers,” Trott said.
“In a series of short residencies with leading American makers, I will study the manufacturing techniques of carving and furniture making hand tools.
“This knowledge will be to put into practice in my own regional Victorian workshop and taught to Australian students looking to move into traditional trades at the Centre for Rare and Forgotten Trades (CRAFT) in Ballarat.
“As a member of the Australian Knifemakers Guild and a regular exhibitor at the Lost Trades Fair, I will showcase these skills to the Australian public.”
Trott has demonstrated his work throughout Australia exhibiting and running workshops in NSW and QLD. From 2015-2018 he ran the annual Woodland Festival of Green woodworking in the Macedon Ranges bringing teachers and makers from the USA to Australia to share their knowledge.
A passionate antique tool collector, Trott draws inspiration from historic tools and hopes to reignite the production of fine hand tools made in Australia.
With artisans and craftspeople seeking his work globally, Trott is in a strong position to lead the way.
