Sheffield knife makers

Yesterday I visited some wonderful old Sheffield knife makers with a group of folk from the British Blades forum. Nicola has spent quite a bit of time recording these folk on film but for me it was great to see the old skills alongside some very up to date production. First we went to Taylors Eye Witness Works where they make kitchen knives and folding knives.

Big machines like this stamp the blades out

Using dies like this

Here are a pile of stamped blades

and after grinding on a computer controled machine they come out like this.

just need handles on and they are ready to go.

We had really gone to meet Russel who makes their folding knives.

Then went on to see Brian the grinder. A lovely warm hard working northern chap who caries on a trade pretty much as it was done 200 years ago.

Finally we went on to see Trevor Abblett who also makes folding knives though I have not sorted those photos yet.
A fascinating day out.