Stan Shaw (cutler) explained

Stan Shaw
Birth Date:2 December 1926
Birth Place:Worrall, Sheffield
Occupation:Knife maker
Mother:Amelia Shaw
Father:Walter Shaw
Spouse:Rosemary Shaw
Children:
  • Jane
  • Andrew
  • Kevin

Stan Shaw (2 December 1926 - 26 February 2021) was a cutler, or "little mester", from Sheffield, England.

Early life

Shaw was born in Worrall, Sheffield to Walter Shaw and Amelia Shaw (nee Coldwell).[1] He was one of eight children. His family later moved to Oughtibridge. His father was a ganister miner and died from silicosis at the age of 45. At the age of four, Shaw fell from a roof and landed on his hip. He subsequently also became ill with tuberculosis and spent ten years in hospital.[2]

Career

Following discharge from hospital, Shaw began working for George Ibberson & Co, where he worked on hafting and finishing items of cutlery. Shaw subsequently worked for George Wostenholm, John Watts, and John Clarke. In 1983, Shaw set up his own business in Garden Street.[3] In 2009, he moved to a workshop within the Kelham Island Museum.[4] Towards the end of his career, he had a four-year waiting list for orders.[5] [6]

Retirement and death

Shaw stopped producing knives in 2019 due to ill health but continued to demonstrate his craftmanship to the public at the Kelham Island Museum. He died on 26 February 2021, at the age of 94.[7] A commorative plaque by sculptor Gordon Young was installed outside Cutlers' Hall in 2022.[8] [9]

References

  1. Web site: Tweedale. Geoffrey. 7 March 2021 . Stan Shaw obituary. 2021-09-09. The Guardian. en.
  2. Web site: Around Town Meets... Aroundtown Meets… Stan Shaw . Around Town . 2021-09-09 . 8 March 2017 .
  3. Web site: Stanley's knife cuts £1500 dash . Antique Trade Gazette . 2021-09-09 . 28 November 2001 .
  4. Web site: Stan Shaw . The Sheffield Cutlery Map . 2021-09-09.
  5. News: 24 March 2016 . Life is still at the sharp end for expert Sheffield craftsman in his 90th year. en-GB. Sheffield Telegraph. 2021-09-10.
  6. Web site: 30 December 2016 . New Year Honours for Yorkshire's great and good. 2021-09-12. Yorkshire Post. en.
  7. Web site: Sheffield's 'last little mester' Stan Shaw dies at 94 . BBC News . 2021-09-09 . 1 March 2021 .
  8. News: Kessen . David . Stan Shaw Sheffield: Memorial unveiled outside Cutlers Hall to last 'little mester' knife craftsman . 24 August 2024 . The Star . 3 December 2022.
  9. Web site: News: Stan Shaw Memorial . Gordon Young . 24 August 2024 . November 2022.