Paul Iseard had previously talked to us back in 2023 about the humble fork and its development through the ages from a single prong to the four-pronged item we know today.
Following his ownership of the famous Sheffield Shop on Ecclesall Road, which is still a thriving business and a place to buy all things made here in Sheffield, he became a major mover in the purchase along with others in the community of the iconic Portland works on Randall Street, not far from Sheffield United’s ground on Bramall Lane.
Paul traced the history of Portland works from its opening in 1879 to the present day.
Robert F Mosley, the son of a Hatton Garden jeweller, came to work for Geroge Oates a scissor maker in Portland buildings on West Street. The ambitious and no doubt, well-financed Robert took over George’s business when he retired, and it wasn’t long before he commissioned the design and build of his new Portland works.
At the time the building was on the outskirts of the city on a green field site on flat land and nowhere near a river as, by now, steam power had overtaken waterpower. It housed all the various trades that were necessary to produce cutlery from forging the blades through to a finished knife. In its hey day around 1900 it employed 240 in total including 80 women and 40 children.
The business expanded into holloware and silverware and through the catalogue of Alexander Clark, a London Distributor. who cheekily used photographs of Portland Works with their own name inscribed, products were sold all over the world.
There is no question that the most famous product became the stainless steel knives that were originally sold under the name “Rusnorstain”. This product was due to the collaboration of Ernest Stuart and Harry Brearley the inventor of stainless steel. It was through Ernest Stuart’s perseverance that the difficulties of getting a sharp edge in stainless steel were overcome and the rest – as they say – is history.
Sadly, as the global market for high quality cutlery demised the company was wound up in 1968 and the building fell into disrepair. The story of how it then became what it is today, is worthy of a read on their website. Save to say, through existing tenants, supporters and amazing fund raising the building was saved from being developed into yet more flats and it now houses a number of successful small businesses – modern Little Mesters! There is still a forge, a knife maker, a violin maker, a gin producer and a host of others in diverse trades.
A team of volunteers have done, and continue to do remarkable work to keep it in good shape. You can join them as a Friend for a very modest annual sub and attend talks on Sheffield related subjects.
For more information see – https://www.portlandworks.co.uk/