Sheffield Tool Makers

[Ponytail]

Think this was photocopied from an article in Quality of Sheffield  1981? March/April

[Ponytail]

[Ponytail]

[Ponytail]

[tozzin]

It’s strange that 1981 is now history but to me it’s just a few years ago and just part of my life.

[Lysanderix]

I know what you mean., tozzin.The really sad, if not disturbing fact, is that most of Sheffields once vast number of tool and implement manufacturers no longer exist and have simply vanished. I suspect the tools we now buy come from the other side of the globe.

[Sam Xavier]

On 03/11/2022 at 08:05, Lysanderix said:

I know what you mean., tozzin.The really sad, if not disturbing fact, is that most of Sheffields once vast number of tool and implement manufacturers no longer exist and have simply vanished. I suspect the tools we now buy come from the other side of the globe.

Agreed.  Was a time when any self respecting tradesman had a box of Sheffield made tools, from hammers up to vernier micrometers.

[Lysanderix]

I knew a member of the family of one of our City’s last surviving tool manufacturers. I shall mention no names…but it was admitted that nearly everything they sold was imported and they were trading on their established name.

[BobGreg]

My Father spent 50 years service with C&J Hampton and personally knew “Mr Charles”. My Father started off at 15, working for the chauffeur washing the Director’s cars! He retired as the Foreman of the Tool Store. During the Sheffield blitz he was an auxiliary fire officer and was on the roof of the company “Fire Watching” during Sheffield Blitz! In the morning there were no buses operational so he dodged the demolished Bomb damaged shops and offices and walked over 7 miles from one side of the city to the other to get home to my mother! He returned to work the next day. He was 94 when he died in 2002. A remarkable man. He even played cricket for the company in the Sheffield and South Yorkshire league. They once played Maltby Miners in one game. My Dad was the opening batsman and faced a very young fast bowler - one FS Trueman - Fiery Fred no less! 

[johnm]

My wife's Evans ancestors owned Joseph Evans & Sons Ltd Toolmakers

Joseph Evans was born at Wednesbury, Staffs in 1824 but moved to Sheffield about 1848 with his brothers Aaron, Thomas, William & David. Joseph married Emma Grainger in 1848 just before moving to Sheffield.  

He started in business in 1852 at Havelock Works, Penistone Rd with his brother Thomas & by 1861 was employing 8 men making a variety of engineer’s tools. He then moved to Highfield Tool Works at Randall St. By 1881 the business had expanded to 10 men (inc. brother Thomas) & 6 boys.  Sadly, those premises were destroyed by fire on 12 March 1886. He then set up business at the Highfield Tool & Steel Works, Little London Road, Heeley, Sheffield. On 15th Feb 1896 the Company announced it was starting a new manufacturing facility for cycles which were called “Dragonfly” & hoped to make 40-50 per week. The cycles were of varying types for men, ladies, racers & semi-racers. The company had also established an agency in London to market the machines.

In 1897 it was incorporated as a Limited Company by which time he was employing many of his brothers’ male children.

According to Graces Guide, in 1914 the company had 300 employees & specialised in engineer’s tools & steel files, vices, screwing tackle, ratchet braces, hammers & spanners (no mention of bicycles).

However, the company must have felt the full force of the 1930’s recession & called a creditors meeting on 30 July 1930 so marking its end. However, by that time most of the older members of the family had retired or died.