Est. 1986
Artisan’s Son was established by professional artisans and craftsmen who believed there was a better way to care for gear made to last.
From the beginning, the goal was simple: create premium wax based products free from harsh chemicals, and offer a genuine alternative to the cheap, disposable solutions found on hardware store shelves. Products that respected materials, craftsmanship, and longevity.
Today, Artisan’s Son produces some of the finest wax based care products available, including the iconic Fabric Wax & waxed based Leather Conditioner.
Every product is made using time honoured methods. Small batches are crafted by hand, allowing careful control of temperature, timing, and consistency, details that machines simply cannot replicate.
“Machines simply cannot replace the generational knowledge of carefully timed and cooled waxes." - A.S. Head of Q.C. states.
Artisan’s Son products are trusted and used by respected craftsmen across Australia, including Barry Gardner, Barossa’s renowned knife maker & Sebastian of Hahndorf Leather, a highly regarded leathersmith. These relationships are not endorsements, but proof: the products are used daily by the very artisans who understand materials best.
While the range continues to grow, Artisan’s Son remains loyal to its founding vision: producing products that are tried, tested, and relied upon by the craftsmen who make them, and by those who value quality that endures.
Timeline - A Legacy in the Making
On the 25th of Nov. 1876 Walter Smith is born, the first Artisan. Walter was a true pioneer of agriculture in Australia, establishing a viable sheep industry/horticulture for others to follow in Australia.
"A pioneering Australian, he crafted and repaired everything with his own
hands—nothing was wasted, and every tool was essential, carefully maintained
like a lifeline."
The Smith family set the stage for this agricultural change, establishing a pivotal role of fruit and vegetable production within the Adelaide Hills, a renown food and beverage producing area still to this day. Another key industry was the establishment of bees, with honey and the all important production of wax.
Click here to find out more: Adelaide Hills S.A.
The 1980's were a happening era with huge economic booms across sectors, including Australia's agriculture sector. This saw the owner Jarrad, spending large amounts of time in the Adelaide Hills on the Smith family market garden and rural agriculture farm in South Australia. This paved the way for the future.
"You can take the boy out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the boy."
Artisan’s Son uses its rich legacy of traditional craftsmanship, passed down through generations. Committed to preserving and enhancing historical wax formulas, the company began refining its premium blends in the early 2000s, using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients. Today, Artisan’s Son proudly offers a line of Australian-made wax products that combine heritage methods with modern performance — honoring the past while meeting the demands of today.
Artisan's Son starts trading under its formal entity name 'Artisans Son PTY LTD', with investments in local manufacturing equipment and locations. Thus securing Australian Made and Owned business into the future.
A Legacy Forged in Hard Use
Artisan’s Son Fabric Wax has its roots in Australia’s toughest working conditions. During South Australia’s agricultural boom, waxed garments were relied upon by farmers, stockmen, and labourers who needed protection from wind, rain, and long days in the elements. The same wax-based waterproofing methods travelled even further, finding their way onto garments worn in the Victorian Goldfields during the Gold Rush era, where durability was not a luxury, but a necessity.
In those environments, quality meant survival. Clothing had to repel weather, endure hard wear, and be repairable and reusable, not replaced. Waxed fabric became the standard because it worked.
That legacy continues today. Artisan’s Son remains committed to producing fabric wax and care products built on those proven principles; made to protect, preserve, and extend the life of garments and gear for people who still rely on them outdoors.