Red List Comment Submission

Commenting on: Scissor making

Section one - About you

Section two - Description of the craft

If you are commenting on an existing craft, please select it here and skip the next two questions

Please enter the name of the craft you would like us to add here.

If this is a new craft type please select the most suitable category

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify country, region, county or town

Please identify an era/century/approximate historic period.

Heritage Crafts uses a system of four categories of risk to assess the viability of heritage crafts. A heritage craft is considered to be viable if there are sufficient craftspeople to transmit the craft skills to the next generation. For more information on definitions see http://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist/categories-of-risk/

Section three - Current numbers of those practising the craft in the UK

People earning their main craft income from this craft (selling, commissions, conservation/ restoration and/or teaching).

People practicing this craft commercially (selling, commissions, conservation/restoration and/or teaching) but as less than half of their income.

People acquiring skills in order to become a professional in this craft, they probably have to work under supervision even if they are earning money while training.

People whose knowledge and ability is at a level of the most skilled practitioners of this craft.

People who do not intend to practice this craft professionally or at the highest level.

Section four - Issues affecting the viability of the craft

Existing content:
  • 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.

e.g. lack of qualifications, funding for training etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. lack of demand for products/skills etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

Tick the box if there are difficulties with the supply of raw materials, allied materials or tools

If yes, please describe the issues below

i.e. issues around running any small business, not just crafts

If yes, please describe the issues below

Is the main workforce made up of people who are approaching retirement age?

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. legal restrictions on materials, health and safety etc.

If yes, please describe the issues below

e.g. Brexit, Covid-19, conflict

If yes, please describe the issues below

Please describe any other issues

Section five - Current Initiatives to preserve craft skills

Please describe any UK projects or schemes

Section six - Main players in the craft – please tell us who you know about

Please list any known practitioners of this craft — add a row item for each person or business and complete the fields to the best of your knowledge. To get started click the `Add practitioner` button below.

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Add practitioner

Section seven - Optional additional information

It may include when and where the craft developed, how it has changed over time, etc.

e.g. festivals, religious celebrations, agricultural practices, music, dance etc.

e.g. religious, ethnic, social class. Please give an overview of the techniques involved in the craft.

This may involve different materials, techniques, styles or finished products.

e.g. books, websites etc.