Phil Johnson fwcb

Phil Johnson founded P. Johnson & Company as a plant hire and fabrication business in 1974. An interest in forged metalwork and Phil’s lifelong process of self teaching and learning the traditional skills of the blacksmith with a desire to design and create contemporary forged metalwork, led to the company evolving from plant hire to artist blacksmithing. Over the years Phil has ensured that Ratho Byres Forge has firmly established a reputation for both innovative design and high quality forged metalwork.

Phil Johnson founded P. Johnson and Company in 1974

Not only an artist, but a man with a great organising ability and foresight, he slowly built up the blacksmithing family business.  Phil’s daughter Shona and son Mike joined the team followed by Shona’s husband Pete, an accomplished artist blacksmith, and Mike’s wife Sandy taking on the roll of managing the accounts.

Phil has demonstrated at various blacksmithing events in Europe and America and he has been awarded several Worshipful Company of Blacksmithing Awards including The TonyPandy Award, The Industrial Diploma of Excellence Award and the coveted Silver Medal, allowing Phil to use the title Eminent Master Blacksmith.

Sadly Phil Johnson passed away in December 2021, but he has left the most amazing legacy, not only in the business at Ratho Byres Forge, now run by Shona, Pete and Sandy, but also in the large body of work that he created over the past 40 years and the many smiths and clients that he has inspired with his enthusiasm and vision not only for forged metalwork but also to always move forward with each new commission.

“Good design is timeless, I would like to thing that the work of Ratho Byres Forge will be appreciated for both the design and the craftsmanship and be enjoyed by many generations to come.”

Phil has been awarded several Worshipful Company of Blacksmithing Awards including the coveted Silver Medal, allowing him to use the title Eminent Master Blacksmith