Revival of the little mesters: a Sheffield pocket knife maker – in pictures
Cutler Michael May, who makes pocket knives from his workshop in the city, is helping to lead a 21st-century revival of the craft. Thousands of ‘little mesters’ once made small tools and cutlery across Sheffield but the skills have almost disappeared in recent years
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Michael crafts the pocket knife handles from stag horn, buffalo horn, rams horn, oak and rosewood
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The blade and handle are wire-riveted together on a stiddy (a miniature anvil)
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Tools of the trade, bought from the late Trevor Ablett, a well-known Sheffield knife maker
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Horns ready to be made into handles
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Michael’s workbench at the window
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A knife with a handle made from stag horn
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An industrial view from his workshop
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Adjusting the mechanism
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Michael shapes the stag horn handle on a belt grinder …
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... using progressively finer and finer grades to achieve a smooth finish
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Tubes of epoxy hardener
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The Portland works was built in 1879
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Wood lined up ready to be made in to handles
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A closer look
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Ready to go on sale locally at the Famous Sheffield shop
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