£54.00. From his workshop at the historic Portland Works -where Harry Brearley developed stainless steel for the use of cutlery over 100 years ago- Michael follows the patterns of respected knife maker and well known Sheffield … Hand Crafted Knives by Michael May. This knife is perfect in its imperfections. The Barlow knife style was invented in Sheffield in the 1600s and is characterised by its comfortable, tear drop shaped handle and heavy bolster. Made by Michael May. Two degrees later I was back making knives. As a turner I absolutely adore these things. The ex-mayor of Sheffield, Mr Michael Hunter, jn. What looks like ribs around the legs is in fact one continuous spiral as the turner banged the leg out in just a few seconds. Under Keith Moorby, I learned how to craft knives to the highest standard and I realised that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. This is his favourite, a tiny hammer without which he could not peen the rivets over on the mother of pearl and turquoise scales that he loves using. From his workshop at the historic Portland Works -where Harry Brearley developed stainless steel for the use of cutlery over 100 years ago- Michael follows the patterns of respected knife maker and well known Sheffield … I am a knife maker. Regular blog readers will have been familiar with the work of Trevor Ablett and his death was a sad loss but I have great news. And see Joe More blow the bellows of the forge. T he author Chaucer wrote about Sheffield as a place ‘that knives came from’ as far back as the late 14th century, during a time when 25% of its population were listed as metal-workers. £45.00. Handmade folding pocket knives | Made in Sheffield by Michael May | Each knife is made to order | Custom knife orders also undertaken | Buy online This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. “I just want to make a better knife,” says Michael May. The HebTroCo Barlow Knife will be a prized possession to be handed down through the generations. A modern day ‘Little Mester’, working out of a workshop in Portland Works – Sheffield’s first purpose built cutlery factory dating back to 1879. He now has a great website up where you can go and buy his knives. Michael May is a knife maker and cutler based in Portland Works in Sheffield, England. The Famous Sheffield Shop Limited 475 Ecclesall Road Sheffield … Since 2016, there is a new pocket knife maker in Sheffield and not just anywhere in Sheffield; he works out of the famous Portland Works. Here’s a close up of a recently finished knife. Join to Connect. Bog oak and amber Wharncliffe pocket knife. I wrote about Michael’s work last year so today about a year on I visited again and took some more photos of him at work making lovely pocket knives at his workshop at Portland Works. Each knife I make is crafted to the highest standard from carefully chosen materials. Now this gorgeous little tool looks like a tiny anvil. when in the States a few years ago, looked in at a grinding "hull" . Since learning my craft, I feel a responsibility to maintain the skills and artistry that made Sheffield famous. The Grinder, Sheffield grinder Brian Alcock grinding axes. Pulled fibre birch brooms. Sheffield has always been famous for high quality knives, now there is a new name to look out for and his work is very exciting. The University of Sheffield. I decided to work for myself. Michael has a bunch of lovely old hammers. He found the workmen sitting bolt upright on their horsings, grinding "under the robin" as it is called, that is to say , holding their blades end-wise, and pointing downwards, much as a youth "rides" upon a walking stick. I wrote about Michael’s work last year so today about a year on I visited again and took some more photos of him at work making lovely pocket knives at his workshop at Portland Works. They can be made, quite literally, with my blood, sweat, and tears! By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. Soon after finding my workshop an opportunity came my way. Expert cutler Trevor Ablett was retiring and selling off equipment. This website uses cookies. I am a knife maker. I visit Michael May, master knife maker, to see the process behind a HebTroCo Barlow pocket knife. Today I still use patterns that Trevor produced along with traditional Sheffield patterns that the city is famous for. Publications featuring Sheffield pocket knife maker Michael May. They were made in huge numbers and really quickly. Call us on +44 (0)114 268 5701 +44 (0)114 268 5701. “I just want to make a better knife,” says Michael May. Michael May. It’s seven inches long overall with a sheepsfoot blade. Regular blog readers will have been familiar with the work of Trevor Ablett and his death was a sad loss but I have great news. Sheffield is famous for its steel works and the historic Portland Works are the home of the first stainless steel cutlery ever to be made in England. I snapped it up. Sheffield has always been famous for high quality knives, now there is a new name to look out for and his work is very exciting. Having learned his trade as a pocket knife cutler Michael now has his own workshop at Sheffield's historic Portland Works, the original home of stainless steel cutlery. These pocket knives show the true craftsmanship of the Sheffield knife maker. Main image: Michael May with a finished knife. I never knew I wanted to be a knife maker. Rigging Knife Made In Sheffield Carbon Steel Blade M.O.D Pattern Polypropylene Handle. Michael May Sheffield pen knife maker. Michael May is a pen, pocket and bowie knife maker. Wed 2 Nov 2016 03.30 EDT Last modified on Fri 5 Jan 2018 07.27 EST Michael crafts the pocket knife … The pocket knives are individually hand-crafted in thier Sheffield workshop using methods of manufacture that have been in place for many years. After various roles I found myself in the pen and pocket workshop, where I stayed for three years before leaving to study history at university. Michael May is one of the new breed of "Little Mester" cutlers. Traditional knife maker based in Portland Works, Sheffield. Folk that have an interest in Sheffield cutlery history may be interested to know that this particular stidy used to belong to Trevor Ablett you can see it behind his left elbow in this picture. Michael May is a young knife maker … 4″ Sheath Knife Stag Round Tang. A chunky, traditional Barlow knife with a lambs foot blade, hand made by a skilled craftsman in the home of cutlery, Sheffield, England. Company Website. Michael May produces knives of an extremely high level of craftsmanship. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. We have chosen his buffalo Barlow pocket knife on its great looks and imaginative use of natural materials. Filmed at the… Report this profile; About. It’s handmade and a classic Sheffield made knife… Since learning my craft, I feel a responsibility to maintain the skills and artistry that made Sheffield famous. Pocket knives. How to get in touch with us. It’s about 4″ long and is what is known in Sheffield as a cutlers “stidy” the word comes from Old Norse for anvil. Having learned his trade as a pocket knife cutler Michael now has his own workshop at Sheffield's historic Portland Works, the original home of stainless steel cutlery. A very nice knife. MICHAEL MAY KNIVES - SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND. Specialised in. Cleaver styled, general purpose kitchen knife, 150mm cutting edge and under 3mm at the spine, full width bevels will make this equally at home preparing your vegetables or carving your Côte de Boeuf. The Arthur Wright traditional Sheffield pocket/pen knives are made with many decades' experience of knife making. Following other family members into the Sheffield cutlery trade, I got a job in a cutlery factory. It is the same knife as Trevor’s and the same shape with a carbon steel blade. He is the most modern of Sheffield knife-makers, having recently taken the leap from local company Taylor's Eye Witness into exclusively making knives stamped with his own name from his workshop in Portland Works. However, I haven't found one ideal for spoon carving yet. Knife maker Michael May hails from this vibrant city, globally renowned for its steelworks and cutlery industry. Guardian Article – 2016 – Sheffield Telegraph Article 2016 – Robin Wood Blog Article 2016 Michael May - The Cutler from Tom Barnes on Vimeo. 3,033 Followers, 154 Following, 479 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Michael May (@michaelmayknives) He has been a traditional cutler in Sheffield for over six years. Sheffield has always been famous for high quality knives, now there is a new name to look out for and his work is very exciting. Welcome to Sheffield Knives. Add to basket Details. Michael May Knife Maker Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom 25 connections. Maker of pen and pocket knives, hand made in my workshop in Portland Works, Sheffield. Michael May is one of the new breed of "Little Mester" cutlers. Michael May produces knives of an extremely high level of craftsmanship. Amber collar. Making traditional Sheffield pocket knives in the 21 st century. Michael May is a young knife maker … Additionally, Michael undertakes special commissions, repairs and renovations of old knives. Steel is Sheffield-made SF100, handle scales are stabilised … Comments (6) Kristin December 21, 2009 Really enjoyed the post, Robin. J. Adams Ltd (Sheffield Knives) is a family business which has been making good quality knives for six generations; we are the parent company for three other old established manufacturers F.E & J.R.Hopkinson Ltd, established 14 June 1944, John Nowill & Sons Ltd, whose corporate name was granted by the Cutlers Company of Hallamshire on 27 April 1700 A.D. and … Traditional Sheffield cutler. Michael May Sheffield pen knife maker. After meeting the well-known Sheffield knife maker Trevor Ablett, Michael was offered Trevor’s tools and some of his blades and materials when Trevor retired due to ill health last year. Over the years, more and more people would ask me to make a knife for them, impressed by the high level of craftsmanship. Michael May, a Sheffield knife maker, and Little Mester, working in the traditional way, making a Barlow pocket knife with a Wharnecliffe blade. Further Info. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. This is his cutlers stool. Add to basket Details. They can be made, quite literally, with my blood, sweat, and tears! Tom Barnes' AOP award winning video 'The Cutler'. He now has a great website up where you can go and buy his knives. 5000 year old bog oak. Michael May didn’t set out to be a knife maker, although other family members had gone into the cutlery trade in Sheffield. Sheffield is the birthplace of steel, where better to craft pocket knives of Damascus steel, forged in a workshop from 1870. I found a workshop at the renowned Portland Works, where over 100 years ago Harry Brearley developed stainless steel for cutlery use. Experience. The exclusive Furbellow & Co knife is made to order by Michael. He is the most modern of Sheffield knife-makers, having recently taken the leap from local company Taylor’s Eye Witness into exclusively making knives stamped with his own name from his workshop in Portland Works. 5″ Broad Blade Sheath Knife Leather Round Tang. Sadly, Trevor died not long after and Sheffield lost one of it's characters but he left me a legacy. Each knife I make is crafted to the highest standard from carefully chosen materials. Add to basket Details. Michael May Knives – Sheffield – England. Sheffield. I love the convenience of a pocket knife, and I use mine all the time for daily tasks. After leaving music college I was looking for work. About Michael May. Hand Made by Michael May in the Portland Works, Sheffield, these luxurious pocket knives really are a work of art. £46.00. The Knifemaker from John Coombes on Vimeo. 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