Stratten Guitars was founded by Dick Knight and Joe Van Stratten in 1946. Knight trained as a machinist and woodworker specializing in mill-work. The Stratten Guitar company was based in Surrey and made arch-top acoustic guitars. The company folded in 1948 due to the difficulty of obtaining materials in post war England. Knight continued to make and repair guitars part time until 1967 when he partnered with another guitar maker, Gordon Wells, to start Knight Guitars. Knight Guitars specialized in repairs, restorations and the custom building of acoustic and electric guitars. Knight guitars were owned by David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Andy Fairweather-Low amongst others.