Description
Welcome to The Sheffield Cutlery Shop!
Here is a knife that needs no introduction, made by the most famous Pen & Pocket Knife makers in Sheffield, Stan Shaw.
Stan Shaw (1926–2021) is widely regarded as Sheffield’s pre-eminent pocket-knife maker of the late twentieth century, and one of the last true independent “Little Mesters” working entirely within the city’s historic cutlery tradition. Apprenticed from the early 1940s at W.G. Ibberson, Shaw learned the full range of traditional Sheffield pocketknife skills, including grinding, assembling, hafting, finishing, polishing, and decorative workbacking, under craftsmen from the height of Sheffield’s cutlery era.
As large-scale production declined in the late twentieth century, Shaw chose to work independently rather than leave the trade. From the early 1980s onwards he produced hand-made penknives in small numbers, building a reputation that extended well beyond Sheffield and into the international collector market. Demand for his work grew steadily, and for many years he maintained a long waiting list for commissioned knives.
Later in his career, Stan Shaw worked publicly from workshops associated with Kelham Island Museum, where he demonstrated traditional pocketknife making techniques to visitors. In doing so, he became one of the most visible custodians of Sheffield’s pocketknife heritage, preserving skills that had almost disappeared from commercial production.
This penknife features two beautifully polished blades, each with finely executed backwork along the blade spines, complemented by nickel silver bolsters and richly figured rosewood scales. The pattern is known as a “Clock Case” penknife, named for the distinctive profile of the scales and traditional brass liners that define this classic Sheffield form.
As shown clearly in the images, both backsprings are adorned with crisp, well-aligned workback, an area of craftsmanship in which Stan Shaw particularly excelled. The blade action is superb, with strong, confident snap throughout, and the overall finish and attention to detail are of an exceptionally high standard, reflecting the level of care for which Shaw’s work is renowned.
The larger blade measures 8 cm in length, with the secondary blade measuring 6.5 cm. When fully open, the knife measures 16.7 cm overall, and 9.3 cm when closed. The Pocket Knife weights 80 grammes.
Collectors value Stan Shaw’s penknives not only for their traditional patterns, but for their execution. His knives are known for precise fitting, confident and smooth action, and carefully executed workbacking on springs and blade spines. Aligning decorative filework cleanly across multiple blades and springs is one of the most demanding aspects of slipjoint construction, and Shaw was particularly respected for achieving this consistently.
A defining characteristic of his work is the level of finish throughout the knife. Attention was not limited to visible surfaces; internal components were finished with care rather than being left purely functional. This approach results in knives that feel refined in use, with smooth operation and a sense of balance and quality that sets them apart from standard production pieces. For many collectors, this commitment to both visible and unseen details is what places Stan Shaw’s penknives a clear step above most other modern Sheffield pocketknives.
From our personal collection, we have another 4 Stan Shaw Knives currently on offer. Our work is our passion, these are wonderful knives that will only increase in value over time.
