About Stoke
Stoke is a heritage-inspired tool brand rooted in timeless craftsmanship and modern passion.
At its heart is the act of stoking a fire. Not just for survival, but as one of the earliest domestic rituals where tools became central to warmth, food, and human connection. In Irish tradition, the hearth was the soul of the home, and its fire was carefully tended while stories were shared across generations. Our tools honour that spirit.
The name also nods to Ben's roots in Stoke-on-Trent, where his father and grandfather (a carpenter) left a legacy of skill, hard work, and a love of hand tools. Their tools were simple, purposeful, some were custom and they were built to last. That mindset of making things well and making them to last sits at the core of everything we do.
Ben Millett
Founder / Designer
STOKE was founded by Ben Millett, an industrial designer and maker based in Ireland.
I’ve always been drawn to objects that earn their place. Tools that feel right in the hand, last a lifetime, and become part of everyday life.
Before STOKE, I worked across industrial design, product development, and photography. But the common thread was always the same, I had a fascination with purposeful objects, and a frustration with things that were overdesigned, underused, or made to impress rather than endure.
STOKE began as a response to that.
Each STOKE tool is designed to do a small number of things well without gimmicks or excess. Just considered design, honest materials, processes and details intended to age gracefully.
These are tools made to be carried, used, worn, and trusted.
STOKE is still small, and intentionally so. Every product starts with my own needs or desire, is designed by me, and refined through testing and real use. If it doesn’t earn its place, it doesn’t make the cut.
This is just the beginning but the philosophy will always stay the same. Thanks for being here.
Keep the fire alive.
Built for Real Life
Stoke products are made for daily life. Whether you’re fixing, cooking, building, or creating, our tools are (and will be) designed to be dependable, practical companions. They’re not gadgets or gimmicks. They’re the kind of tools you keep close, use often, and come to rely on.
We believe in being prepared. Not in a dramatic way, but in a grounded, everyday sense. The kind of preparedness that comes from having good gear you trust. A solid multi-tool in your pocket. A cooking implement that feels right in the hand. A well-made thing that helps you do the job well. Without fuss.
TEAM
We are a business driven by family and steered by a passion to create great products. Led by Ben but assisted by Miriam and Adam.
Miriam Wade
Miriam's background and expertise is goldsmithing and jewellery design so she knows tools and appreciates things that are well made. Miriam brings structure, intuition, and care to the day-to-day and behind the scenes of STOKE. She helps to support customer experience, quality control and logistics while helping shape the details that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Adam Millett
A seasoned content writer and marketing strategist who has worked with major US and European brands, Adam helps shape the voice of STOKE. From storytelling to social strategy, he ensures the brand connects with a wider audience while staying rooted in its core values.
Quality That Lasts
We design our products with longevity in mind. Using durable, honest materials we make tools that are built to stand the test of time, not just physically, but stylistically too. We want our tools to feel just as good in ten years as they do today. Not trendy. Just solid, functional, and quietly good-looking.
They’re made to be used, but also to be appreciated. They should feel good in the hand, work smoothly, and look like something you’d be proud to keep on your workbench, kitchen or pocket. Over time, they pick up wear and stories and become part of your own rhythm (maybe someday something even worth passing on.)
Stoke is About More Than Tools
It’s about a mindset. About valuing the things we use every day, and choosing tools that are built with intention. It’s about keeping the fire going, whether that’s through a meal cooked from scratch, a project tackled on a weekend, or something small you’ve finally fixed instead of replacing.
We grew up knowing "You get what you pay for", and while things these days aren't always as well made or dependable as they used to be this adage is still somewhat true.
We’re just getting started. But every product we make is built with this ethos in mind: practical, enduring, honest tools that do their job well.
