Sheffield's Old Factories & Workshops (Pics Resurrected)

[Jack Black]

Is this where the name of the Wharncliffe blade shape comes from originally? How very cool.

Thank you jack for doing the work to resurrect these images and documentation of old factories.

You're welcome my friend The style of the 'Wharncliffe blade' has been around for centuries, but the name is relatively recent. It started in the US I believe. It's really a rather confused name, because Lord Wharncliffe gave his name to a Wharncliffe KNIFE, which, like other patterns, uses that blade (still sometimes referred to as an 'Ettrick blade' in Sheffield). I don't think Lord Wharncliffe actually had much, if anything at all, to do with the design of the Wharncliffe KNIFE, as is often claimed, and I actually have some early Joseph Rodgers (the firm who made the first, naming it for Lord Wharncliffe, who helped secure the firm a Royal Warrant) advertising, which actually names the 'inventor' of the knife. The factory isn't named for Lord Wharncliffe either, Wharncliffe is an area of Sheffield, from where the Lords (and later Earls) of Wharncliffe take their name. Their family name was actually Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie, Wortley also being an area of Sheffield. This was also a rather convoluted name, since the family name started out as plain Stuart

Thanks Jack great thread. Makes me a bit sad, my Dad retired round 10 years ago, he ran a foundry floor, only retired as the foundry was sold, it's now a self storage yard.

It's a shame isn't it mitch, so many once great industries have faded away, or even disappeared in first world countries. There seems to be something essentially different about being a coal miner, or a steel-worker, or a docker, to being a computer operator, or a call-centre worker

 

[cudgee]

It's a shame isn't it mitch, so many once great industries have faded away, or even disappeared in first world countries. There seems to be something essentially different about being a coal miner, or a steel-worker, or a docker, to being a computer operator, or a call-centre worker

Yes, and decades ago we were fed the bulldust line that with mechanization and computers we would all have so much more leisure time and all be living in shangri-la. Now everyone is so busy running around like headless chooks and as a society have never been so unhappy. Those workers were dam grateful to have a job and a roof over their head. If i have hijacked the thread will gladly delete.

 

[Alex.Y.]

advertising, which actually names the 'inventor' of the knife

So who's the inventor? Or you mean they claim it is the mentioned Lord?

There seems to be something essentially different about being a coal miner, or a steel-worker, or a docker, to being a computer operator, or a call-centre worker

Yeah, like wages. I am an engineer, but all my "engineering" is in the computer. Would like to have more physical job, but these aren't gonna give me much income. I know that you meant a bit different thing, but still.

 

[Jack Black]

Yes, and decades ago we were fed the bulldust line that with mechanization and computers we would all have so much more leisure time and all be living in shangri-la.

Isn't that the truth?!

 

[Jack Black]

So who's the inventor? Or you mean they claim it is the mentioned Lord?

For now, I'm going to save that for the book Claiming it was designed by Lord Wharncliffe while he was passing port around the table probably sold more knives

 

[Alex.Y.]

For now, I'm going to save that for the book

Are you writing a book? Or that's just a figure if speech and I'm going to feel awkward?

 

[herder]

Jack, thanks for taking the time to re-post these wonderful pictures of those once great buildings.
It certainly brings back fond memories of seeing them with you, but I'm a bit sad to learn that many have been torn down since.
At least you have some nice pictures for future generations to appreciate.

 

[abbydaddy]

You're welcome my friend The style of the 'Wharncliffe blade' has been around for centuries, but the name is relatively recent. It started in the US I believe. It's really a rather confused name, because Lord Wharncliffe gave his name to a Wharncliffe KNIFE, which, like other patterns, uses that blade (still sometimes referred to as an 'Ettrick blade' in Sheffield). I don't think Lord Wharncliffe actually had much, if anything at all, to do with the design of the Wharncliffe KNIFE, as is often claimed, and I actually have some early Joseph Rodgers (the firm who made the first, naming it for Lord Wharncliffe, who helped secure the firm a Royal Warrant) advertising, which actually names the 'inventor' of the knife. The factory isn't named for Lord Wharncliffe either, Wharncliffe is an area of Sheffield, from where the Lords (and later Earls) of Wharncliffe take their name. Their family name was actually Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie, Wortley also being an area of Sheffield. This was also a rather convoluted name, since the family name started out as plain Stuart

It's a shame isn't it mitch, so many once great industries have faded away, or even disappeared in first world countries. There seems to be something essentially different about being a coal miner, or a steel-worker, or a docker, to being a computer operator, or a call-centre worker

Thanks for clarifying the history of that name...

It is actually helpful to me to know that Wharncliffe is the place name (not the family name), and nice to know that it is near Sheffield.

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, thanks for taking the time to re-post these wonderful pictures of those once great buildings.
It certainly brings back fond memories of seeing them with you, but I'm a bit sad to learn that many have been torn down since.
At least you have some nice pictures for future generations to appreciate.

Hope you're keeping well my friend. Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while, but I've been laid up with sciatica for nearly 9 weeks

 

[rdave]

I have more photos, but posting them will have to wait until time and t'internet allow. I'd expected to be able to post these photos in under an hour, but due to a failing internet connection, it's taken all day Hope they're of interest anyway folks

Many wonderful pics

 

[euroken]

Thank you Jack for keeping the history alive and continuing to educate us with the wonderful information!

It started in the US I believe.

Those Americans...

But, it is also very interesting how things get named, shared, altered, along the way. Like a simple 'barlow.'

Thank you again for sharing these!!!

 

[Campbellclanman]

Jack - THANK YOU for resurrecting these Photo's and starting up a new Thread with them back in.

Man this brings back massive memories- fantastic ones at that.

I really do think that Sheffield should present Jack a Key to the Town- or something like that- it's amazing what you do Jack- Please.... never stop my friend.

 

[Jacques Mi]

This is an amazing thread; nice pictures and good useful reads too. Thank you Jack Black .

 

[Johnnythefox]

Thanks for posting.

Whats gone wont return it’s very sad.

Just like all the old regiments of the British army gone forever.

 

[Horsewright]

Thanks for reposting all these Jack! Its as shame that you have to repost! Its bad enough losing the history. Even worse losing the history about the history already documented.

 

[Jack Black]

Jack - THANK YOU for resurrecting these Photo's and starting up a new Thread with them back in.

Man this brings back massive memories- fantastic ones at that.

Thank you Duncan, I'm glad you were able to see a fair few of those old factories first-hand my friend

I really do think that Sheffield should present Jack a Key to the Town- or something like that- it's amazing what you do Jack- Please.... never stop my friend.

Thanks mate, fat chance, they haven't built a memorial to the hundreds of people who lost their lives in the Sheffield flood of 1864 yet!

This is an amazing thread; nice pictures and good useful reads too. Thank you Jack Black .

Thanks Jacques, I'm glad you're finding it interesting

Thanks for posting.

Whats gone wont return it’s very sad.

Just like all the old regiments of the British army gone forever.

Yet another tragedy!

Thanks for reposting all these Jack! Its as shame that you have to repost! Its bad enough losing the history. Even worse losing the history about the history already documented.

It's been very frustrating Dave, the old threads here, potentially a great resource, are an absolute mess

 

[Horsewright]

Thank you Duncan, I'm glad you were able to see a fair few of those old factories first-hand my friend

Thanks mate, fat chance, they haven't built a memorial to the hundreds of people who lost their lives in the Sheffield flood of 1864 yet!

Thanks Jacques, I'm glad you're finding it interesting

Yet another tragedy!

It's been very frustrating Dave, the old threads here, potentially a great resource, are an absolute mess

Yep I’ve lost some of mine too!

 

[btb01]

Great to see all those photos, Jack! Thanks for reposting them all in one place.

While I know that you pointed out several of those on our whirlwind tour of Sheffield in 2018, I’m afraid I was having such a great time that I didn’t do that good a job taking pictures. I did get a couple of the Wright’s factory:

Here’s a workshop that surely deserves a spot in this thread.

This old ladle (I think that’s the right term?) serves as a sign for the Kelham Island Museum, where Stan’s workshop was located. In the background you can see the huge Bessemer Converter that Jack shared earlier in the thread.

 

[R_Shackelford]

Thanks, Jack, for re-posting these images. As others have said, I had no idea of how vast the industry was in Sheffield. These pictures put things into perspective.

 

[Jack Black]

Yep I’ve lost some of mine too!

That's a real shame Dave

Great to see all those photos, Jack! Thanks for reposting them all in one place.

While I know that you pointed out several of those on our whirlwind tour of Sheffield in 2018, I’m afraid I was having such a great time that I didn’t do that good a job taking pictures. I did get a couple of the Wright’s factory:

Here’s a workshop that surely deserves a spot in this thread.

This old ladle (I think that’s the right term?) serves as a sign for the Kelham Island Museum, where Stan’s workshop was located. In the background you can see the huge Bessemer Converter that Jack shared earlier in the thread.

Thanks pal, it was great to see some of those places with you I remember you didn't take many pics! Quality over quantity though I'll certainly be posting some pics of Stan's workshop, and a few other historic places too

Thanks, Jack, for re-posting these images. As others have said, I had no idea of how vast the industry was in Sheffield. These pictures put things into perspective.

You're very welcome