Some time ago, another member here pointed me in the direction of a UK website selling a range of traditional folders and fixed-blade knives purporting to be handmade in Sheffield by a cutler called John Maleham. I’d not heard of this business before, which has ‘Sheffield’ in its name, but is actually located in the south of England. Nor indeed had I previously heard of Mr Maleham, so I was surprised to see him described as Sheffield’s best knifemaker. I did however, immediately notice that the knives displayed on the site bore a striking similarity to the knives of Arthur Wright & Son, though some had more exotic handle materials.
A web-search revealed no other dealer stocking Mr Maleham’s knives. all I could find was a couple of Sheffield cutlers publicly scoffing at the claims made on the single website selling them. I did however discover that a John Maleham was the (relatively) new owner of Arthur Wright & Son. Mr Maleham apparently has a background in engineering, but I’ve been unable to find any other mention of him being a cutler. Perhaps he started after he bought the business, but I’m sceptical. Maybe I’ll call in at the Sheffield factory for a chat.
On the whole, I like the knives of Arthur Wright & Son, but it has to be said, that their QC is often appalling. Fortunately, for me, I’m able to purchase their knives over the counter, and I have seen a few recent signs of improvement. Despite my scepticism about the provenance of the advertised knives, and my previous reluctance to only purchase Arthur Wright knives sight-seen, the prices on the website I mention are fair, and there is a good and unusual variety available. So I decided to give them a go anyway by ordering a Lambsfoot with oxhorn covers.
My chosen knife was despatched very quickly, and arrived nicely packaged. Despite the certificate of authenticity signed by Mr Maleham, I was pleased to see, as I had hoped, the blade bears the standard Arthur Wright & Son tangstamp.
I’ve not seen a Lambsfoot with oxhorn covers before, and it is very pleasing to the eye. The two sides are quite different, but I think that perfectly acceptable. Fit and finish is very good I think, particularly for an inexpensive knife. The spring is very slightly depressed when the blade is closed, and there is the tiniest smidgen of light coming through the back. The blade is off-centre when closed, but not so much that it rubs against the liners. The blade has a good strong pull and a positive snap, but there is no half-stop. The edge was sharper than is often the case with Arthur Wright knives, and would just dry-shave hair.
I don’t consider a knife with a machine-ground blade to be handmade, but Arthur Wright’s are a traditional Sheffield cutlers using longstanding production methods.
Having been virtually Lambsfoot-loose for a while now, I’m quite pleased with this new addition, and find the idea of having other Lambsfoot knives, with covers in snakewood or ebony, for example, appealing also. So in time I may order more of these ‘John Maleham’ knives.
The horn does look quite nice on that pattern, and the lambsfoot really is appealing to me. Thanks for showing this little beauty 
