Traditional Float Making Meets Modern

Craftsmanship

One of the things I enjoy most about running Handmade Fishing Floats is working with other skilled craftspeople who share the same attention to detail and pride in their work.

For many years I have worked closely with Paul and Claire at Moongrove Laser, a fellow Devon business whose craftsmanship has helped elevate many of my products from practical fishing tackle into treasured keepsakes and presentation pieces.

Personalised Oak Presentation Boxes

Many of my float sets are supplied in beautiful oak presentation boxes. Customers often choose to add a personal message, name, date or special dedication to make the gift truly unique.

The engraving is carried out by Moongrove Laser, whose precision and attention to detail ensure every inscription is crisp, clean and perfectly finished.

Whether it's a 50th birthday gift, a retirement present, a club award, or a thank-you gift for a lifelong fishing companion, the engraving transforms each box into something personal and meaningful.

As well as customer inscriptions, Moongrove Laser also engrave my company logo onto the rear of many presentation boxes, providing a professional finishing touch while preserving the natural beauty of the oak.

Creating Bespoke Display Pieces

Perhaps my favourite collaboration has been the development of a bespoke oval oak display plaque designed specifically to showcase one of my handmade fishing floats. This is a real heirloom piece and sits somewhere between angling memorabilia, artwork and a presentation piece.

With a rough design plan from my customer in Germany, Paul created this beutiful plaque featuring elegant bevelled edges and provides a beautiful way to display a treasured (bespoke sea trout) float. The customer has specifically asked for English oak and Claire sourced a stunning piece from their extensive wood stocks.  Combined with a fish illustration, hand-crafted brass mounting pins and one of these 'bombarda' floats, the result is a unique piece of angling artwork suitable for a study, fishing room or display cabinet.

Commissions pieces like these have become popular as retirement gifts, presentation pieces and special keepsakes for anglers who appreciate traditional craftsmanship.

The project perfectly demonstrates what can be achieved when traditional handcraft and modern laser technology are combined.

Supporting British Craftsmanship

In an age of mass production, I believe there is tremendous value in supporting skilled independent makers.

Every personalised presentation box and display plaque represents the work of multiple craftspeople, each contributing their own specialist skills to create something that simply cannot be replicated by factory production.

The floats are handmade in my Devon workshop using traditional materials such as balsa, cork, bamboo and reed, while the engraving and precision finishing are expertly produced by Moongrove Laser.

Together, we create pieces designed not only to be used and enjoyed today, but treasured for years to come.

Looking for Bespoke Engraving?

If you're looking for personalised gifts, laser engraving, presentation pieces, awards, signage or bespoke wooden products, I can thoroughly recommend Moongrove Laser.

Paul and Claire consistently produce work of the highest standard and have played an important role in helping me offer products that are every bit as special as the anglers who receive them.

You can visit Moongrove Laser to see more of their work and read their article featuring our collaboration.  https://www.moongroves.com

moongroves.com/blogs/dartmoor-crafted/handmade-fishing-floats-display-ivybridge-collaboration