Thomas Turner & Co

Thomas Turner & Co was established in the early 1800s by Thomas Turner and was based at the Suffolk Works on Norfolk Street. Its 'Encore' trademark was registered in the mid 1800s, having previously been registered by another cutler, Luke Brownell.

Thomas Turner & Co made a large range of goods including table knives, saws, files and edge tools. Like some of the other larger cutlery firms, it also produced and forged its own crucible steel using imported Swedish bar iron. The company supplied the Navy with open razors and exported its knives across the British Colonies.

By the late 1800s Thomas Turner & Co was one of the most important cutlery firms in Sheffield. By the early 1900s it had increased in size by merging with the cutlery firms Wingfield, Rowbotham & Co and Joseph Haywood & Co. This increased its number of employees from 300 to 1,000. A souvenir publication dating to around 1903 notes that 18,000 machine forged table knife blades were being produced at Suffolk Works each week.

Who was Thomas Turner & Co?
By the late 1800s Thomas Turner & Co was one of the most important cutlery firms in Sheffield. By the early 1900s it had increased in size by merging with the cutlery firms Wingfield, Rowbotham & Co and Joseph Haywood & Co. This increased its number of employees from 300 to 1,000.

What else did they make?
Thomas Turner & Co made a large range of goods including table knives, saws, files and edge tools. Like some of the other larger cutlery firms, it also produced and forged its own crucible steel using imported Swedish bar iron. The company supplied the Navy with open razors and exported its knives across the British Colonies.

Who might have owned these objects?
This knife and fork are of the kind that would have been found on the dinner table of an average working home in the 1890s. A trade catalogue from 1914 indicates that at that time they cost between 14 to 18 shillings for a set of twelve knives and forks. The price varied according to the thickness of the stag handles. Smaller dessert sets were sold at around 8 to 11 shillings per dozen. They were still being sold in 1925, though their price had increased considerably. A set of twelve table knives and forks had risen to as much as 34 shillings and a dessert set to 31 shillings.

Why are the hafts made from stag?
The making of stag and horn hafts and scales (two piece handles attached to knives, forks and open razors) was a huge industry in Sheffield, particularly during the 1800s. Stag was a very popular choice as it was cheap, durable and attractive. The hafts of this knife and fork are attached using a rod of metal known as a through tang. This rod is usually made from iron as it is cheaper than steel. The tang runs through the entire length of the stag haft, creating a sturdy join. A plain steel end cap has been attached to the end of the tang to secure the blade to the haft.

Where did the stag come from?
Some of the stag used for hafting cutlery and flatware during the 1800s came from Scotland. More expensive varieties could be imported from countries such as India.

These objects form part of the Bill Brown Collection. Supported by The Art Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and the Friends of Sheffield Galleries & Museums Trust.