Mirror Polishing [Buffing] - Ethel Grayson & Edna Stone (1993)

This film features two of the last 'buffer girls', both aged over 80, in their final week before retirement. They show how they are able to bring the finest finish to cutlery in dangerous, dirty and noisy conditions. It was filmed at Beehive Works, Milton Street, Sheffield.
The film is part of a series entitled 'Masters of Metalworking' commissioned by Sheffield City Council's Ruskin Gallery working closely with Ken Hawley who is the narrator on this particular film. It was originally released on no.4 of the series of films in 1993.
The film is made available by kind permission of the Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust who now manage some of the city's museums on behalf of the City Council.
To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our website: www.hawleytoolcollection.com/
See also our sister website at hawleysheffieldknives.com/

[@steveparker8723]

Thank God that Mr Hawley and the trust saw fit to go and record what these crafts people do before they were no more.

[@mrj8856]

Amazing ladies. Captured history before it ended. Fantastic footage.

[@bigbasil1908]

They were hardcore those old sheffieldians back then, doing work like that in their 80's. I guess it helped give them purpose and a feeling of usefulness

[@chopsddy3]

This is marvelous. Thanks so much.

[@HelloKittykat21]

My goodness they are a total marvel. Octogenarians working in such a harmful environment but with such pride and dedication 💖

[@althesmith]

Working with your hands gives you a purpose, and lets you keep active and keeps your mind working while a lot of other people are rotting away in nursing homes.

[@johngrenfell7171]

This was amzing to watch the lady's working ,most of the knife company have went over to machines to do this work , they is a few still doing it like this and it will always be known for the finnished item

[@roeng1368]

Figures from a bygone age, when people worked with their hands.

[@jaydwy8069]

Yes, the generation right before the boomers ruined everything for everyone.