Scissor making

Sheffield has long been a place of metalwork and the production of high-quality, metal tools. A quarter of the city’s population was listed as metal-workers in 1379. Over the centuries, Sheffield developed into a centre of industrial research and metallurgical innovation. Skilled scientists, accompanied by their technicians, fostered an atmosphere of experimentation, leading to the introduction of stainless steel and modern furnaces.

Scissors production in Sheffield began around the early 17th century. Records from the 1620s indicate that “cutlers” in Sheffield—artisans who made knives, scissors, and other cutting tools—were already producing various types of scissors. The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, established in 1624, helped regulate and support the trade of cutlery and scissor-making in Sheffield. The industry grew rapidly during the 18th and 19th centuries, when Sheffield became a major centre for steel production. Advances in materials, such as crucible steel in the 1740s and later stainless steel in the early 20th century, allowed Sheffield to produce some of the highest-quality scissors in the world, cementing its reputation in scissor-making. In all corners of the globe, ‘Made in Sheffield’ became synonymous with high-quality, handmade scissors and shears.

However, the rise of cheap, replaceable goods and a shift towards mass production throughout the 1980s, meant that by 1990 there were just two scissor-making companies left. Today, there’s a renewed interest in handcrafted and supreme-quality steel scissors. Thanks to this interest, Sheffield-made scissors are once again on the rise.

There is a strong appetite for English heritage and craftsmanship, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This appreciation ties closely to values of authenticity, quality, and tradition that English craftsmanship embodies. In the case of scissor-making and related trades, English-made items often evoke a sense of connection to heritage, linking back to a time when products were handmade with care and skill. Scissors and cutlery from Sheffield, for instance, are more than tools—they represent a legacy of dedication to quality, often bearing marks or stamps that signal craftsmanship from a well-known lineage or region. Moreover, this appreciation extends beyond the products themselves. Visitors to the UK often seek out workshops, museums, and historical sites where these crafts are displayed or demonstrated, as there’s a growing interest in reconnecting with these traditional skills. Heritage English brands and crafts are increasingly celebrated not just for their utility but for their stories, which adds to their appeal and cultural significance.

Scissor making in Europe

Several regions in Europe have a rich history of scissor manufacturing, particularly those with traditions in metalwork and craftsmanship.

1. Sheffield, England: Know as “Steel City”famous for its steel industry, Sheffield became a major center for scissor-making in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its craftsmen were known for producing high-quality steel scissors, knives, and cutlery. Although production has declined, Sheffield-made scissors are still respected worldwide.

2. Solingen, Germany: Known as the “City of Blades,” Solingen has been a prominent center for scissor and knife manufacturing since medieval times. Renowned brands like Zwilling and Wüsthof originated here, and the city remains one of the leading hubs for high-quality scissors and cutlery.

3. Premana, Italy: A small village in northern Italy, Premana is recognized for its craftsmanship in producing high-quality scissors, knives, and other tools. The tradition is still active, and local manufacturers are known for producing professional-grade scissors.

4. Nogent, France: Located in the Champagne region, Nogent has a long-standing tradition in metalworking, especially in cutlery and scissors. Artisans in Nogent have been producing fine-quality scissors for centuries, maintaining high standards in craftsmanship.

5. Spain: Albacete, in southeastern Spain, has a tradition in cutlery and knife-making, though it is more famous for knives than scissors. Some artisans here also produce scissors, usually tailored for specific uses, such as sewing or grooming.

6. Eskilstuna, Sweden: Known as the “City of Steel,” Eskilstuna has a strong legacy in tool and cutlery manufacturing, including scissors. The city was an important centre for the metal industry in Sweden and produced high-quality scissors through much of the 19th and early 20th centuries. These regions built reputations based on access to quality materials, skilled labour, and a commitment to craftsmanship, contributing to Europe’s legacy of high-quality scissors and cutting tools.

There are various techniques used in the production of handmade scissors and shears. All of them require skill, expertise and years of learning.

After scissors have been forged and hardened, the surface of the metal remains rough. To produce extremely smooth handles, scissor blades go through a process called flexible grinding/bow dressing. Different tools and belts and grinders of varying hardness are used to shape the steel and remove and burrs from the metal. Bow dressing was once a common and skilled occupation, but now it is only practised by a few.

The blades of a pair of scissors are curved, so they always make contact regardless of the position they’re in. This way, there’s a consistent amount of pressure to ensure an even and straight cut. It takes skill to marry two blades together because handmade blades are never one hundred per cent the same. This is when master putter-togetherers work their magic. It’s a process of a little nudge here and a tweak there, to turn two blades into a pair of scissors.

• Market issues: Globalisation of the cutlery and steel industries has reduced the size of the craft. About 30 years ago there were approximately twenty companies in Sheffield making scissors but they have gradually closed. Nowadays, artisanal producers rely on making a high-end/niche product because the market for volume is saturated with mass producers of lower-quality scissors. Consumers are looking to move away from disposable items and towards products for life, but it can be hard to develop new products and markets. Increased costs for materials, equipment and utilities are putting pressure on scissors-makers’ budgets and pricing strategies. Key materials such as oil, card for packaging, and steel have greatly risen in price. The Covid-19 pandemic had the ‘silver lining’ of driving increased public interest in crafting at home. Enthusiasts have eagerly consumed content about crafts and developed a greater appetite to purchase scissors and shears.
• Training issues: There is no formal training – all training is done in-house. It takes up to five years for an apprentice to learn scissor making.
• Recruitment issues: It’s challenging to find new apprentices and people with the right work ethic. The ‘craftsman’ mindset is disappearing and less people want to spend all day making quality goods. Retaining apprentices is difficult and companies lose an investment of time and money if they leave. Companies have also found it hard to convince people that you can earn a decent living in a safe and healthy way as a blue collar metal worker.
• Business issues: Increasing bureaucracy for small businesses such as insurance, health and safety, pensions, electrical certificates etc., take up the time of the limited number of staff in a small business, which would otherwise be invested in business development. Ernest Wright has seen a drop in European sales, as well as currency problems, resulting from Brexit. The weak pound has driven an increase in the proportion of orders coming from other anglophone countries.
• Global and Geopolitical Issues: Brexit, ongoing wars, and potential trade tariffs are making international trade more difficult.

There are no formal training organisations for scissor making. Both Ernest Wright Scissors and William Whiteley & Sons offer on-the-training for their employees.

Short courses

Grace Horne offers 3-5 day training classes on basic scissor making. Up t0 2025, 44 people have completed this course and at least 10 have gone on to make more scissors.

A written guide, How to Make Artisan Scissors is downloadable from Grace Horne’s website.

Businesses employing two or more individuals:

• Ernest Wright – based in Sheffield. The business was founded in 1902, but went into liquidation in 2018 following the death of Nick Wright. All assets including the Ernest Wright and Kutrite brand names, the original machinery, tools and stock have been bought by new investors. The original personnel continue to produce handmade scissors and shears.
• William Whiteley & Sons – based in Sheffield. Have been in business since 1760. Have a workforce of twelve, four of whom have unique skills. Make scissors for industry and retail and for highly specialised/bespoke uses, and make for their own and other brands.

Individual makers:

• Grace Horne, Sheffield

• Sheffield’s industrial history
• Ernest Wright

Our thanks go to our 2025 informants:

• William Whiteley & Sons
• Grace Horne, Scissor maker and cutler
• Paul Jacobs, Ernest Wright Scissors

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