The Early Years
Knives and cutlery were made through Britain and the rest of the world for thousands of years.
In Middle Age Britain, most bladesmiths were based in London, though York, Salisbury and Thaxted (Essex) were also seen as knife-making centres, albeit smaller.
The Rise of Steel City
It wasn’t long before all of these places would be overshadowed by a small northern town, planted next to the Pennines. Sheffield had an advantage that other places didn’t, seven in fact. Like Rome, Sheffield is built on seven hills, but also at the confluence of the 6 rivers and 8 smaller brooks. This made providing water power easy and by the mid-18th century, almost 100 water driven mills had sprung up along the length of these rivers. The water power made it possible the operation of grindstones, rolling mills and forge hammers; all vital to knife making.
The Seven Hills around Sheffield and in the nearby moor help large supplies of sandstone, form making grinding wheels.
To improve Sheffield’s position even further, in 1740 Benjamin Huntsman, developed crucible or cast steel – the ideal material for knives.
This combination of factors empowered Sheffield to expand rapidly and in doing so it dominated production of knives and cutlery, not only in Britain but around the world. Due to the sheer volume of knives produce in Sheffield, the name Sheffield became synonymous with cutlery and it picked up the nicknames of “Knife City” and “Steel City”.
To demonstrate the volume of knives, know that in 1900 Joseph Rodgers and Sons produced three million knives. The knives produced in Sheffield were world class quality and none could compete with the sheer size of the industrial machine that was Sheffield.
Steel City Decline
Sheffield however had caused its own eventual decline, because of the way labour was organised. Factories were inhabited by “little meisters” meaning masters, each specialising in a part of the knife making process.
The “little meisters” would bid against each other for work, meaning that the factory owners could demand lower bids. This had result of significantly lowering morale amongst the craftsmen.
Sheffield factories were also gradually eclipsed by technology and manufacturing methods; mostly in Germany and America. Knives were mass produces and as such were often lower quality than Sheffield-made knives. This created a dwindling demand the very best Sheffield craftsmen.
These knife-makers were mostly self-taught and unlike the specialist “little meisters”, they were skilled in the complete knife-making process.
These remaining few craftsmen worked in small workshops and were mostly unaware of each other’s existence. These knifemakers each had a small but slowly expanding group of enthusiasts who cherished their knives and were eager to buy them
Modern Knife Making
In Britain today there are a small band of craftsmen who are equal in skill to any others around the world. However many makers had no time to spend on advertising or publicity and so long as they were making enough money to survive they were satisfied.
So although they were known to the small groups of enthusiasts, the wider market didn’t know of the existence of these craftsmen and the wonderful knives which they were producing.
The internet changed all this. Knife makers could create online shops where they can display and sell their knives for very little cost and importantly gain higher profit margins. Forums allowed knife enthusiasts to meet in the hundreds (online) and share their passions.
The interest in knives and knife-making has grown so much in the past decade that some knife makers are now running courses for people who want to learn to make knives for themselves.
There are also complete ranges of basic parts and materials needed for beginners to start making knives.
There is a tremendous history and heritage of knife making in Britain, these skills are being practised and are thriving now more than ever.
By Michael Parker available in http://www.survival-knives.co.uk/history-of-british-knife-making/. Adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.