Believed to be the last of Sheffeld’s ‘litte mesters’ aka cutlers or knife makers, Stan Shaw died at the end of February, aged 94. His clients included Elvis Presley, the Queen and US presidents.
Stan started out as an apprentice in 1941 at George Ibberson & Co in Sheffield, making multi-bladed pocket knives with handles made from materials such as mother of pearl and tortoiseshell. A master craftsman, Stan made knives completely by hand, having learnt all the separate aspects of the trade, including forging, grinding and hafting, which were traditionally subdivided.
Stan had a waiting list of four years for his handmade kinves, which attracted collectors from around the world. He fascinated visitors to the Kelham Island Museum, where he had a workshop from 2007 and continued to work two days a week. He was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2017 for his services to manufacturing.
In a BBC interview in 2018, Stan said: “I always try and make the next knife better. You never do but that’s the attitude you’ve got to have.”
Sheffield Industrial Museum Trust paid tribute: ‘We will remember him as an exceptional and talented knifemaker, a little mester, a Sheffield legend and a true gentleman who was a pleasure to know and a privilege to work with.’
Top: Stan with one of his knives. (Photo: Ian M Spooner/Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust)
