William Whiteley Review: Sheffield's Other Last Scissor Maker

If Ernest Wright is the rescue story, William Whiteley is the survivor. Founded around 1760, this is one of the oldest scissor manufacturers in the world — and one of only two left in Sheffield.

For 265 years, Whiteley's has been forging, grinding, and assembling scissors by hand in the city that invented the craft.

The Heritage

Sheffield has been synonymous with blades since the 14th century. By the 18th century, the city was the world capital of cutlery and edge tools, with thousands of small workshops producing everything from table knives to surgical instruments.

William Whiteley established his scissor-making business in this thriving ecosystem around 1760. The company has survived the Industrial Revolution, two World Wars, the collapse of Sheffield's steel industry, and the rise of cheap Asian imports.

Heritage Crafts classifies scissor making as Critically Endangered. William Whiteley and Ernest Wright are the last two firms standing.

The Craft

Whiteley's scissors are made using the same fundamental techniques that have been used in Sheffield for centuries:

Hand forging — Steel is heated and shaped under hammers
Grinding — Blades are ground to their cutting edge on stone wheels
Hardening — Heat treatment to achieve the optimal balance of hardness and flexibility
Hand assembly — The two halves are fitted together by skilled craftspeople who adjust tension and alignment by feel
Final setting — The blades are tested and adjusted until they cut perfectly from tip to heel

The company makes a wide range of scissors and shears — from household scissors to industrial cutting tools, tailoring shears to garden pruners.

The Product Range

Whiteley's range is broader than most people expect:

Household Scissors — Classic all-purpose designs, built to last decades
Dressmaking Shears — Precision cutting tools for professional and hobby tailors
Kitchen Scissors — Heavy-duty designs for food preparation
Garden Secateurs — Forged steel pruning tools
Specialist Tools — Including electrician's scissors and upholstery shears

Prices are remarkably accessible for hand-forged Sheffield steel — starting from around £15 for utility scissors and rising to £60+ for premium shears.

The Verdict

William Whiteley doesn't have the dramatic rescue narrative of Ernest Wright. Its story is quieter — 265 years of simply continuing to make scissors in Sheffield, through every economic upheaval the city has thrown at it.

That persistence is its own kind of heroism. Together with Ernest Wright, Whiteley's represents the last stand of Sheffield's critically endangered scissor-making tradition.

Pros:

One of the oldest scissor manufacturers in the world (~1760)
Genuine hand-forged Sheffield steel
Broad product range, from household to specialist
Accessible pricing for the quality

Cons:

Lower brand recognition than some Sheffield competitors
Limited online presence