Toolmaking Collection

Coiled log saw blade, Spear & Jackson, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1966. Artist
Coiled log saw blade, Spear & Jackson, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1966

Packing garden forks for dispatch, Brades Tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1966

Giant bandsaw blades, Slack Sellers & Co, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963. Artist
Giant bandsaw blades, Slack Sellers & Co, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963

Rolling hot spades, garden tool manufacture, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1966. Artist
Rolling hot spades, garden tool manufacture, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1966

Packing turf cutters, Everlast Garden Tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965. Artist
Packing turf cutters, Everlast Garden Tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965

Saws in racks ready for distribution, Spear & Jackson, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1966. Spear & Jackson are still a world-renowned garden tool manufacturer

Beating hot garden forks, Ward & Payne Ltd, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965. Red hot garden forks are beaten into shape on an anvil before being finished

Drill press, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965. Artist: Michael Walters
Drill press, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965. A press ad photograph for Archer Tools showing their quick change chuck, which was made in Sheffield

Garden tool production, Brades Tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1966

Heading at the Edgar Allen Steel Foundry, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1962. Artist
Heading at the Edgar Allen Steel Foundry, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1962. Two workers with heading machines which were used for the final formation of product

Roll turning at the Edgar Allen Steel Foundry, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1962. Artist
Roll turning at the Edgar Allen Steel Foundry, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1962. A worker at Edgar Allens Steel founders with a roll turning lathe. These were used for the finishing of tool products

Grinding (sharpening), Everlast Garden tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965. Artist
Grinding (sharpening), Everlast Garden tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965

Rolling spade blades, Everlast Tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965. Sheffield had a worldwide reputation for quality garden tools

Assembling garden shears, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965. Artist: Michael Walters
Assembling garden shears, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1965

Female workers sharpening saw blades, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963

Bandsaw sharpening at Slack Sellars & Co, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963. Artist
Bandsaw sharpening at Slack Sellars & Co, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963. A female worker works with a sharpening machine

Female workers sharpening saw blades at Slack Sellars & Co, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963

Bandsaws being sharpened at Slack Sellars & Co, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963

Continuous sharpening of longsaw blades, Slack Sellars & Co, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1963. The blades run on a continous conveyor system as they have yet to be cut into the appropriate lengths

240 ways to spell scissors, newspaper cutting from 1829, copied in 1963. Artist
240 ways to spell scissors, newspaper cutting from 1829, copied in 1963. A newspaper cutting from 1839 telling of the 240 possible variations on the way to spell scissors

Packing punches, Footprint Tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1968

A spring hammer turning drill bits, Footprint Tools, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1968

Primitive Firemaking
Our first ancestors made fire by rubbing sticks together : they used fire for heating, cooking and toolmaking

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"Unveiling the Artistry of Toolmaking: A Journey through Sheffield's Industrial Heritage" Step back in time to 1936, where a tool factory in Germany laid the foundation for an industry that would shape the world. Fast forward to 1966, and we find ourselves in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, witnessing the craftsmanship behind some of the most iconic tools ever created. Intriguingly coiled log saw blades by Spear & Jackson catch our eye. The artistically designed blades from this renowned Sheffield company showcase their dedication to precision and innovation. Moving on to Brades Tools, we witness garden forks being meticulously packed for dispatch. Each fork holds within it years of expertise and tradition passed down through generations of skilled craftsmen. The sight of giant bandsaw blades at Slack Sellers & Co leaves us awestruck. These colossal creations demonstrate both strength and finesse – a testament to Sheffield's mastery over metalworking. Witnessing rolling hot spades being shaped before our eyes is nothing short of mesmerizing. This glimpse into garden tool manufacture reveals the intense heat and skill required to forge these essential implements. Everlast Garden Tools presents us with packing turf cutters – tools that have revolutionized gardening practices worldwide. The artistry lies not only in their functionality but also in their ability to make gardening more accessible for all enthusiasts. Saws neatly arranged on racks at Spear & Jackson remind us that even seemingly mundane objects can be elevated into works of art when crafted with care and attention to detail. The rhythmic beating of hot garden forks at Ward & Payne Ltd showcases the physicality involved in creating these indispensable tools, and is a dance between man and metal as they mold raw materials into functional beauty. A drill press stands tall amidst its surroundings, symbolizing progress and technological advancement within Sheffield's thriving toolmaking industry. Michael Walters' artistic depiction captures both its mechanical power and aesthetic allure perfectly. Brades Tools once again takes center stage, this time revealing the intricate process of garden tool production.