Sheffeild,England"kitchen utensils

[cfz2882]

noticed a few of my kitchen utensils-especially knives- say"Sheffield England on them-latest item I have got made in that location is a flame-shaped spreading knife marked"treasure masters"really nice items from the hometown of Def Leppard and I look out for this stuff at the thrifts now

 

[supersuds]

Have some Sheffield steak knives

Sheffield used to be known for high-quality cutlery, the kind of thing that got killed by Far Eastern competition.

 

[mattywashboy]

I was born and raised in Sheffield, England and moved to Australia in 2001. All the cutlery and utensils we had when we lived there were proudly made in Sheffield. My parents when they recently visited the UK sent back to Australia, a full set of Sheffield cutlery and its a beautiful set. Im considering doing this myself when I next visit the UK

The men in my family have all at some point worked in the steel works that made the materials for the Sheffield brand cutlery

Matt

 

[launderess]

And Before That There Was Sheffield Plate

Stuff of legends and highly sought after is old Sheffield (silver plate). Collectors pay vast sums for the real thing, sometimes more, much more than genuine silver service.

Even before plated silverware Sheffield was famous for the production of knives and such going back to the Middle Ages. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Sheffield

Even today vintage genuine Sheffield knives of all sort are highly collectible.

Since the name of the town is Sheffield virtually anyone who sets up shop within the city limits can stamp "made in" or "crafted by", etc... on stuff made. This is why going back decades if not ages it is important to seek out those whom or whose workshops are know to produce quality goods.

Again then as now some things produced out of Sheffield are rubbish, very cheap and shoddy. But it does give someone like Hyacinth Bucket bragging rights about a "Sheffield tea set". *LOL*

http://www.rauantiques.com/library/antiques/the-allure-of-sheffield-silver-SHEFFIELDLIB.html

 

[gansky1]

Sheffeild -- The Full Monty!

I bought a set of 18/8 stainless flatware at a department store here in 1999, made in Sheffeild.  I still have it, now as a back-up set.  At the time, the best SS I'd ever had in a complete matched set and one of the scant few I found that wasn't made in Asia.

 

[danemodsandy]

Of Interest:

Not too many Americans know this, but stainless steel is a British invention, one of several major technologies they were first with (two others would be television and passenger jet airliners). It had some military uses as far back as World War I.

Its pioneering use for consumer products was in 1924 by Walsall cutlery and housewares maker Old Hall under the trade name Staybrite. This was true 18/8 stainless steel, not Monel metal, which is a different alloy.

Sad to say, the word "Sheffield" on a piece of cutlery is not an automatic guarantee of quality. Some Sheffield manufacturers make the highest quality of cutlery available, others just slap the name on and count the money they get from the gullible. You really have to know a bit about cutlery to get the best from a purchase marked "Sheffield."

 

[davetranter]

Sheffield Cutlery

The City of sheffield was (and, to a lesser degree, still is) Britain's 'Steel Town'. It was the biggest centre of Iron and Steel making since the start of the industrial Revolution, and perhaps before. The Cutlers of Sheffield used the best of the local steels to make their wares, and made them well and with suitable pride. Anything made prior to the 1960s/70s is likely to be a quality piece. The rot set in when the general 'standard of living' for the 'working classes' rose in the late '60s, and 'the masses' aspired to Sheffield cutlery. The Cutlers responded by making cut-price 'BOL' sets for this new market. Some are reasonably good; others they should have been ashamed of.

Something to keep an eye out for is Sheffield 'tool steel' (non-stainless) kitchen knives. They are made from 'proper' high-carbon tool steel, and once properly sharpened will hold a razor edge for a lonnnnnnng time. Ideal for fine cutting of meats and bread, they cannot be used with acidic foods, as this will corrode and blacken the surface of the knife, and also taint the food with a 'metallic' taste.

I have several of these (which I understand are no longer made - something to do with health and hygiene regulations) and am always seeking more in my local 'thrifts'. You can usually tell these at a glance because the steel is 'duller' and there will usually be a few 'rust spots' from poor maintenance. So long as these are not too deep, they needn't be a problem, especially for 'dry use' like bread.

I hate using a serrated knife for cutting bread- it's so wasteful. I use a sharp, Sheffield tool-steel knife, and can get the very finest cuts with no crumbing. Happy hunting y'all ;-)

All best

Dave T

 

[tolivac]

Bad thing about serrated blades for bread-they tear and shred the bread as you try to cut it with such a blade.The carbon steel kitchen and other food prep knives are still favored by chefs and pros-only the householder types buy the SS knives and think they are "chefs".And the pro chef knows how to properly sharpen and care for such knives-this is taught in real cooking schools and usually a three sided sharpening stone is in the tool selection at such kitchens-some chefs sharpen the knives daily.Not only for better,easier work-the sharp knife is safer-less effort required to use it-no forcing required.

 

[davetranter]

'Sharp' knives

I fully agree, Tolivac, regarding sharp knives being safer. One reason why I keep mine well maintained. Even if one does manage to cut oneself, a fine, clean cut heals almost immediately.

All best

Dave T

 

[davetranter]

BBC TV programme showing Cutlers

Not sure whether this will be of interest, or how long it will remain available, but a recent BBC programme visited a Sheffield Cutler's workshop. These artisans now concentrate on making 'hunting' type knives (mainly for the U.S. market), but we do get a brief look inside their workshop.

The programme in question is 'Great British Railway Journeys', introduced by Michael Portillo. The episode is titled 'Batley to Sheffield', and was broadcast on Tuesday 10 June 2014. The Cutlers are about 2/3 the way through, after the Rhubarb ;-)

I hope that is sufficient information to find it on the BBC website (bbc.co.uk). I have no idea how to find it (since the BBC won't talk to my computer/OS/browser), and wouldn't know how to post a 'link' anyway. Perhaps someone else will oblige.

All best

Dave T