Yorkshire crafts and craftspeople
The David Morgan Rees collection
at Sheffield Hallam University

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Extract from a Journal article by David

Cutlery

Knife blade grinder
Penknife Cutler
Horn cutters

Knife blade grinder

The 'little mesters' who still exist in Sheffield with surprising resilience, despite the formidable difficulties facing the cutlery trade because of fierce foriegn competition, are the successors of workers in Nineteenth century independent cottage industries.

The Grinders in the Sheffield cutlery trade form an important bridge between the hand blade forgers and the cutlers who fit the knives together. There is still constant demand for the specialised item, for that extra quality of craftsmanship.

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Penknife cutler

Close-up of a fully equipped penknife with each of the tools being hand made by Eric Wragg before the knife is assembled.

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Horn cutters

The horn trade grew alongside the cutlery trade in suplying it with material for knife handles and 'scales' or coverings for pen and pocket knives. English oxen and cattle would have provided Sheffield craftsmen with horn even in Chaucer's day.

Bernard Whiting and Harry Scarlett, formerly of Rocking Street, Sheffield were the last of the industry's horn cutters in the city. Their raw materials would include two types of buffalo horn.

Harry Scarlett holds a knife fitted with a deer horn handle

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