In 1988, Neville Smith began making "The Irish Hook" an 8mm straight rug hooking hook designed for primitive rug hooking. In the early 1990's other variations were developed and Neville partnered with Cindy Hartman, who distributed the hooks in the United States under the brand name "The Hartman Hook."
Because of their popularity and reputation for quality, the hooks are known the world over as "Hartman Hooks" but Neville continues to trade under the name "The Irish Hook."
In recent years, Neville has passed along the handcraft tradition to his son Rick, and they work together in the shop, hand crafting each rug hook.