The Little Mesters, pocket knife makers. Sheffield, England.

Little Mesters are self employed skilled cutlers who make knives, scissors and silverware for larger companies in Sheffield. At one time there were up to 20,000 people working this way. But as the industry has declined, so the skills and fine craftsmen have gone as well.Trevor Ablett was 70 at the time of this film and one of a handful of Little Mesters remaining. He makes pocket knives, small everyday penknives in the workshop that he shares with Reg Cooper (80) who make bowie knives. This little photo film was in January 2011 and gives an insight into their work.

[@John..18]

I've watched this loads of times, it never fails to inspire me,, I've got a MM Ergonomic, which is a Mr Ablett design, and every time I look at it, I think of the history of the Sheffield men who made this country great.. RIP Mr Ablett,, 😍

[@hayleybriggs5133]

My amazing grandad, I'm so proud to be his granddaughter, I am so lucky to be able to still hear his voice, this video is amazing! Thankyou so much

[@clo2715]

my neighbor is from England and she found out I liked traditional pocket knives so she offered to sell me hers.Its a Sheffield from Little Mesters. She has two pictures she took with a polaroid camera, one of the building and one of a gentleman making her knife. She said that the gentleman making her knife passed away while he was making her knife and that the gentlemans wife had to finish the knife for them. On the back of the picture the date is 1985.

[@jayroland9481]

Many hundreds of my Sheffield ancestors were cutlers, including such folk as the Ellin family, Oldales and Barbers.

[@brooktaw]

I have one of Trevor’s knives. It’s a thing of beauty and I admire it every time I use it.

[@benpodziewski3861]

Proper Sheffield dialect this old boy

[@anthonyconlon8609]

are they still around?

[@hayleybriggs5133]

My grandad passed away in 2015 so no unless anyone is selling theirs

[@anthonyconlon8609]

@@hayleybriggs5133 im sorry to hear that! Id have liked to meet him as im a cutler myself based in Ireland. conlon knives ,I like the Sheffield patterns