The Story
A few years ago, I was given a type of blow poke as a Christmas present. I liked it very much and enjoyed how effective it was.
Happy as I was with my present, I thought it could be improved with a better mouthpiece, with a smaller hole at the bottom end and a pair of prongs for levering logs to enable one to blow in the best place. The narrowing at the end is really crucial to the force of air you get through it and it is this, closely directed force, which prompts the embers into life. The blow poke I was given had rather a larger hole in the bottom end which meant you had to blow quite hard.
Having experimented with various designs, the most important being the size of hole at the fire end of the poker, I am now happy that we have the most efficient design. The forks can be used as a conventional poker and will also ensure that it will stand up when lent against a fireplace or wall. They are equally effective for barbeques, firepits and campfires, they should not, however, be left in the rain as they are made of steel and will rust.
A blow poke is a ‘must have’ fireplace accessory and makes a great present to give or receive.
— William Luttman-Johnson, Co-Founder
“The Suffolk Blow Poke is a fine example of local produce and makes not only a novel present but also very practical.”
— Angus Loring, Colne Stoves
History
Blow pokes have been around since the 17th century. Predominantly French or Dutch, they were made of wrought iron, so this is not a new idea but isn’t widely known. Other blow pokes tend to be very heavy with small ears at the bottom and an elongated blowing end. They are very expensive, do not look as good as the Suffolk blow poke, and almost certainly do not work as well.
Craftmanship
My husband makes the blow pokes in a workshop on our farm, he built various prototypes until he achieved a well-proportioned and efficient model. Mild steel has a pleasing gunmetal colour which we think looks better than stainless or cast iron. It is also lighter to handle and can be used with one hand. The only drawback to mild steel is that it will rust if left outside. This blow poke if kept inside will last forever.
The mild steel comes in 6 metre lengths which is cut down to the appropriate sizes.
The trumpet end is hand forged (heated to red hot and then hammered out to form the mouthpiece) and the bottom end is heated to red hot and then hammered towards a point.
The prongs are bent in a pipe bender, to a U shape, sawn in half, and then welded to the tube of the blow poke. The ends are rounded off with a bench grinder and the poker is then polished with a wire brush.
— Lucilla Luttman-Johnson, Co-Founder