Stephenson and Wilson Sheffield?

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Bartleby

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Oct 28, 2005
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I have seen references to Stephenson and Wilson as makers of British Army clasp knives and pen knives from Sheffield. Has anyone ever seen a knife with this company's tang stamp? Does anyone have any information about them? Thanks!
 
Small firm launched in Sheffield after WW2, the partners being Lawrence Wilson and Alfred Mansell Stephenson. The partnership was dissolved in 1950.

The name is now owned by the Eggington Group, who own the old Joseph Rodgers and George Wostenholm marks, for example.
 
Thanks Jack! From what I could figure out, it was a metal stamping firm that turned out parts for other makers as well as assembling some patterns that were original (much like Camillus did in the states, but on a smaller scale). A lot of military subcontracting and advertising knives are linked to them on some of the British forums, but they don't seem to have marked anything with their own company name.
 
A pleasure :thumbup:

That was true of many of the smaller Sheffield firms, they did a lot of work for the larger Sheffield cutlers, and for factors elsewhere.

According to Geoffrey Tweedale, after the partnership was dissolved in 1950, the firm was later revived, specialising in stainless cutlery, such as gift knives and advertising knives. While Eggington own the name today, they don't appear to actively use it in any way, as they do the other old Sheffield marks they acquired.
 
From what I have gathered the original firm was a furniture manufacturer started in 1939 but switched to knives as part of the war effort, making parts for companies like Wade and Butcher. I believe that the company switched to stainless as you point out at wars end, the shop foreman Harry Billard being instrumental in introducing more modern methods. Any idea who owned the company between the 50's and the Eggington take over and factory demolition in the early years of this century? I have read accounts of Mr. Harry Billard working well into his 90's running the factory, but it seems he was not the owner. Thanks!
 
I must say, they're not a firm I have any familiarity with at all. I'll see if I can turn anything up prior to 1950 in the Sheffield Directories, but Garden Street, where the firm was registered to, was always in an area absolutely dominated by cutlery workshops. Tweedale concludes that Lawrence Wilson was the son of Thomas Wilson (1859-1940), a cutlery and electro-plate manufacturer, and suggests that prior to his partnership with Alfred Stephenson, he had his own short-lived firm, operating from Abney Works on Wheeldon Street. Wilson died in 1961. In the 1970's, John Stephenson (Cutlers) Ltd, was listed at the same address (44 Garden Street) as Stephenson & Wilson had been. This firm was owned by Derek Stephenson, who in 1973 reached an agreement with Arthur Price, so that Price could handle Stephenson's sales. Price purchased the company in 1979. Tweedale notes that the company is now apparently owned by Eggington - though Eggington themselves list the company as Stephenson & Wilson. Arthur Price Ltd are still in existence I think.
 
Outstanding info Jack! I originally started looking into this firm as the makers of a Snap-On stainless lock knife I have from back in the day. There is a photo essay on line by a Sheffield photographer Martin Pick on Sheffield Cutlers (I think it is mis spelled as cuttlers if you search for it, don't know if it breaks the rules to post a link) That shows the Garden Street factory at work before it was demolished. I believe the really old gent assembling the knives in the essay is possibly Harry Billard.
 
I have to thank Geoffrey Tweedale for much for that information, they're not a firm I've ever previously looked into. Your Snap-On knife sounds interesting. I don't think it would breach the forum rules to post a link :thumbup:

I'll have a look through my trade catologues later if I get time, and see if I can find an advert for the firm :thumbup:
 
My apologies Bartleby, I hadn't realised the nature of the link. Since the book is up for sale, it may contravene the forum rules, but I'm not entirely sure. I'm sure Frank or Gary will edit the link if that is the case though :thumbup:
 
27858098_10215715137410690_7860722013058153246_n.jpg


Have a fine letter opener with penknife on handle end. Thought this might add some detail to this thread.
 
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Many thanks! Letter openers were one of their specialties, often sold as souvenirs. The S&W marking is found from the mid forties until the early sixties.
 
Hello, I am the great grandson of Harry Billard on my mothers side. We have loads of his old knives and he did indeed work well into his 90’s in a shed in his garden. My mum also mentions that she remembers him working on an early prototype of the scissors in his penknives.
Do you have a link to the photo you mentioned earlier and I could confirm if it is indeed him?
Thanks,
Joe
 
Joseph rose said:
Hello, I am the great grandson of Harry Billard on my mothers side. We have loads of his old knives and he did indeed work well into his 90’s in a shed in his garden. My mum also mentions that she remembers him working on an early prototype of the scissors in his penknives.
Do you have a link to the photo you mentioned earlier and I could confirm if it is indeed him?
Thanks,
Joe
Click to expand...

Fascinating Joe, welcome to Bladeforums Traditions section :thumbsup: I'm sure our members would love to see some photos of your great grandfather's knives if you have any photos of them? :thumbsup:

Jack
 
I will second the request for more photos! Ones of the shop that you might have would be an added bonus:)
 
Joseph rose said:
Hello, I am the great grandson of Harry Billard on my mothers side. We have loads of his old knives and he did indeed work well into his 90’s in a shed in his garden. My mum also mentions that she remembers him working on an early prototype of the scissors in his penknives.
Do you have a link to the photo you mentioned earlier and I could confirm if it is indeed him?
Thanks,
Joe
Click to expand...
Hi Joe! Welcome to the forum! Harry set up and ran the S&W pressing machines for many years, often coming up with specialty die designs as needed. Harry re-designed the spring used on the scissors to facilitate production and lower cost (according to Steve Billard, S&W initially imported their scissors from Germany, but this became cost prohibitive) The springs Harry designed were made from round stock that was partially flattened and bent to act as the return spring. A section of the spring was left round, and inserted into a simple hole in the tang side scissor arm. This made the S&W scissor spring both less expensive to produce than they had been, and more durable.
 
Bartleby said:
Hi Joe! Welcome to the forum! Harry set up and ran the S&W pressing machines for many years, often coming up with specialty die designs as needed. Harry re-designed the spring used on the scissors to facilitate production and lower cost (according to Steve Billard, S&W initially imported their scissors from Germany, but this became cost prohibitive) The springs Harry designed were made from round stock that was partially flattened and bent to act as the return spring. A section of the spring was left round, and inserted into a simple hole in the tang side scissor arm. This made the S&W scissor spring both less expensive to produce than they had been, and more durable.
Click to expand...

That's sterling info Bart :thumbsup:
 
Joseph rose said:
Hello, I am the great grandson of Harry Billard on my mothers side. We have loads of his old knives and he did indeed work well into his 90’s in a shed in his garden. My mum also mentions that she remembers him working on an early prototype of the scissors in his penknives.
Do you have a link to the photo you mentioned earlier and I could confirm if it is indeed him?
Thanks,
Joe
Click to expand...
Here is a link to the preview page that I had taken out. Since the book may be viewed without purchase and its subject is photography rather than selling the knives pictured (and as the pictured firms and individuals don't have specific current contact information listed) it may be within the rules at this point. I do request that the moderators remove it if this is not the case.

http://www.blurb.com/books/2035002-sheffield-cuttlers-2000-2010

Hope this is helpful.
 
Bartleby said:
Here is a link to the preview page that I had taken out. Since the book may be viewed without purchase and its subject is photography rather than selling the knives pictured (and as the pictured firms and individuals don't have specific current contact information listed) it may be within the rules at this point. I do request that the moderators remove it if this is not the case.

http://www.blurb.com/books/2035002-sheffield-cuttlers-2000-2010

Hope this is helpful.
Click to expand...

Some great photos there Bart, Martin Pick is an excellent photographer :) I like this one of Michael Elliott, Head Cutler at Arthur Wright's :thumbsup:

Michael Elliott.JPG

Pretty sure that the knife on the cover isn't hand-forged though :rolleyes:
 
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