Gather Your Party for Handcrafted Adventures
Wooden tankards, RPG accessories, and leather goods - made by hand in Virginia.
From New Kent, Virginia
Craft built for the table and the trail
Rob and Darla run Tusk & Braid by hand: stave tankards from Birka- and Gotland-inspired forms, RPG vaults with magnets and felt, and full-grain leather for the faire. Traditional technique, natural materials, pieces meant to be used. Meet the makers.
Why Tusk & Braid
Made to last, made to tell a story
Authentic craftsmanship
Stave joinery, hand tooling, and finishing done in New Kent. Hand tools and modern machines, never a factory shortcut.
Historical inspiration
Rob studies early European sources the way he traces family records. Forms come from real finds, not costume catalogs.
Natural beauty
Maple, walnut, cherry, oak, and full-grain leather. Oils and waxes only on wood. No stains, no dyes, no fake grain.
Materials
Hardwoods chosen for character
We select maple, walnut, cherry, and oak for grain, strength, and how they age - then finish with oils and waxes, never stains.
- Maple - light tone, subtle figure, lasting durability.
- Walnut - rich dark grain and quiet elegance.
- Cherry - warm hue that deepens over years.
- Oak - strength and distinctive historical character.
Process
From board to finished piece
Four steady steps in the New Kent shop. No shortcuts between the board or hide and your hands.
Material selection
Hardwood boards and full-grain leather chosen for figure, strength, and how they will age after a year of real use.
Design & planning
Historical references and your measurements planned before the first cut. Custom work starts with a clear email.
Crafting
Staves joined, boxes fitted, leather stitched. Hand tools and modern machines under one standard of fit and finish.
Finishing
Natural oils and waxes on wood; careful edges and antler toggles on leather. Nothing that hides the material.
From the table
What customers say
“My wooden tankard is not just beautiful - it’s a vessel I use regularly. The detail is remarkable.”
“As a DM for over 10 years, this dice box is in a league of its own. Exceptional craftsmanship.”
“After two years of Ren Faire wear, my leather belt is only getting better. Worth every penny.”
Custom work
Have something special in mind?
Personalized gifts, guild emblems, tankard wood choices, or a leather motif from a sketch. Email is the only contact method. Write tuskandbraid@gmail.com and we work with you from idea to finished piece.
Consult
Tell us what you need, how you will use it, and any sizes or references.
Design
We confirm materials and layout by email before we cut or stitch.
Create
Your piece is crafted in New Kent with the same care as everything in the shop.
FAQ
Common questions
Straight answers for shoppers, DMs, and Ren Faire folks alike.
What does Tusk & Braid make?
Wooden tankards and mugs, RPG dice boxes and trays, and leather belts and frogs - handcrafted in New Kent, Virginia.
Where are you located?
We’re a family shop in New Kent, Virginia. We ship across the U.S. and take custom inquiries by email.
How do I buy or request a custom piece?
Browse the shop for ready pieces. For custom work, email tuskandbraid@gmail.com - that’s our only contact method.
What woods and finishes do you use?
Maple, walnut, cherry, and oak. No stains or dyes - only natural oils and waxes so the grain stays visible.
Are the tankards historically inspired?
Yes. Designs draw from archaeological finds at Birka and Gotland, Sweden. Read more about our tankards.