Stan Shaw (cutler) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stan Shaw
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Shaw (furthest right) at his workshop in the Kelham Island Museum
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| Born | 1926/1927 Worrall, Sheffield
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| Died | (aged 94) |
| Occupation | Knife maker |
| Spouse(s) | Rosemary Shaw |
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Stan Shaw (1927 – 26 February 2021) was a very skilled cutler from Sheffield, England. A cutler is someone who makes or repairs knives and other cutting tools. In Sheffield, these skilled craftspeople were sometimes called "little mesters." Stan Shaw was known for his amazing ability to create beautiful, handmade knives. He became one of the last traditional knife makers in the city.
Early Life and Challenges
Stan Shaw was born in 1927 in a place called Worrall, which is part of Sheffield. His parents were Walter and Amelia Shaw. Stan was one of eight children in his family. Later, his family moved to Oughtibridge.
When Stan was just four years old, he had a serious accident. He fell from a roof and hurt his hip. After this, he became very ill and had to spend ten years in the hospital. This was a very long time for a child to be away from home.
Stan Shaw's Career as a Cutler
After leaving the hospital, Stan began his career. He started working for a company called George Ibberson & Co. Here, he learned how to make and finish cutlery items. This included hafting, which means attaching the handles to the blades of knives.
Stan worked for several other famous Sheffield companies over the years. These included George Wostenholm, John Watts, and John Clarke. He gained a lot of experience and became very good at his craft.
In 1983, Stan decided to start his own business. He set up his workshop on Garden Street. Later, in 2009, he moved his workshop to the Kelham Island Museum. This museum is a great place to learn about Sheffield's industrial past. Moving there allowed visitors to watch him work.
Towards the end of his career, Stan Shaw was so famous for his knives that people had to wait a long time to get one. He had a four-year waiting list for his special, handmade knives. This shows how much people valued his incredible skill.
Retirement and Legacy
Stan Shaw stopped making new knives in 2019 because of his health. However, he still loved his craft. He continued to go to the Kelham Island Museum to show people how he worked. He demonstrated his amazing skills to the public, sharing his knowledge with many visitors.
Stan Shaw passed away on February 26, 2021, when he was 94 years old. He left behind a wonderful legacy as one of Sheffield's last traditional knife makers. His work helped keep the city's famous cutlery history alive.
