Knife handle making – the subsidiary trades in the Sheffield cutlery industry

Abstract

This paper will explore the documentary evidence and surviving examples to understand the work practices, rates of pay and the supply of material for subsidiary trades associated with the Sheffield knife-making industry. Metal working has been well researched but little has been done to appreciate the details of the trades which used bone, ivory, horn, etc. to make the knife handles, where the use of these materials was governed by availability, price and fashion.