Monday February 4 2019 THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM, BIRMINGHAM


special report


Sheffield Knife Project gets under way T


he team behind the world’s largest collection of historic table knives and kitchen knives is planning to launch the


Sheffield Knife Project – and is looking for involvement from anyone in the housewares industry who has an interest in the history of knives. The Hawley


Collection, built up over 50 years by the late Ken Hawley, holds an estimated 100,000- plus items - nearly all of them Sheffield- made tools, cutlery and silverware. It’s housed alongside the Kelham Island industrial museum in the heart of the city,


and although it’s impossible to display the entire collection, themed displays are on show and are changed at intervals. As an example, there are more than 1,000 bread knives alone. The Hawley Collection volunteer Nick Duggan


(pictured) said: “We have thousands of loose knives, and I started sorting them out. Lots have the maker’s name stamped or engraved on the blade - there are at least 800 companies - and we came up with the idea of trying to locate descendants of the family companies that made the knives, and people who worked for those companies and for those retailers who sold the products. “The challenge for us as a museum is always how


to get people to engage with us, and we want to get recollections and memories from visitors. We’re hoping that people will come up with things to add to the collection as well.” The Ken Hawley Collection Trust is applying for lottery funding to cover the cost of a part-time co-


kitchen knives and trade knives, but could expand to cover razors too. Subject to funding, it is planned to start next summer. “We would like people to bring their ‘mystery knives’ along – we may be able to identify their makers, and their original purpose,” said Nick. “And we’re also hoping to recruit some new volunteers. We have about 25 currently, and we’re looking for another 10 or so.”


• www.hawleytoolcollection.com hot products


ordinator for the project, with the aim of creating a series of six-week displays, starting with knife makers beginning with A. “I liked the idea of a ‘knife wall’ - like a war memorial - but people would have to come here to see it,” said Nick. “So the next step would be to create an online knife wall as well. We are planning to photograph all the knives we have, and use the text from Geoffrey Tweedale’s directory of Sheffield knife makers to explain them.” Initially, the project plans to cover table knives,


Dexam


Dexam says: ‘Reducing your footprint while allowing you to buy British, the Forest and Forge Carving Set has been lovingly made from wind- damaged boughs from estates in North Yorkshire. With superior sharp steel crafted in Sheffield, this exquisite range can change the way you carve meat forever!’


u01730 811 811 uwww.dexam.co.uk


Addis Denby


Still using many traditional hand-crafting techniques and time-honoured skills at its original home in Derbyshire, each piece of Denby’s pottery passes through at least 20 pairs of hands before it gets the Denby stamp of approval. Denby manufactures tableware and cookware that can be used in the oven, dishwasher, microwave and freezer.


u01773 740715 uwww.denbypottery.com


September/October 2018


Seal Tight is a food storage solution for dry and fresh food which is made in the UK alongside Addis’ sink side products, food preparation items, bins and larger storage boxes. The company says: ‘Being manufactured in the UK means we are consciously reducing our carbon footprint.’


u01656 664 455 uwww.addis.co.uk


• HousewaresLive.net • twitter.com/Housewaresnews Stow Green


Crafted in the Cotswolds from toughened glass, these heat- resistant, scratchproof glass worktop protectors are described as a functional addition to any kitchen. Virtually unbreakable and easy to clean, they provide a cutting surface as well as protecting worktop surfaces from hot pans and dishes.


u01488 686572 uwww.stowgreen.co.uk


housewareslive.net | 25


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