He now has a great website up where you can go and buy his knives. This website uses cookies. After leaving music college I was looking for work. Michael has a bunch of lovely old hammers. Michael May - The Cutler from Tom Barnes on Vimeo. Each knife I make is crafted to the highest standard from carefully chosen materials. We have chosen his buffalo Barlow pocket knife on its great looks and imaginative use of natural materials. Sheffield. 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. Main image: Michael May with a finished knife. Since learning my craft, I feel a responsibility to maintain the skills and artistry that made Sheffield famous. Two degrees later I was back making knives. He now has a great website up where you can go and buy his knives. Michael May Knife Maker Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom 25 connections. Pocket knives. 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. About Michael May. How to get in touch with us. They can be made, quite literally, with my blood, sweat, and tears! Over the years, more and more people would ask me to make a knife for them, impressed by the high level of craftsmanship. Add to basket Details. Hand Crafted Knives by Michael May. Tom Barnes' AOP award winning video 'The Cutler'. I am a knife maker. It’s seven inches long overall with a sheepsfoot blade. Check them out here. Steel is Sheffield-made SF100, handle scales are stabilised … Rigging Knife Made In Sheffield Carbon Steel Blade M.O.D Pattern Polypropylene Handle. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Michael May Knives – Sheffield – England. Specialised in. Michael May, a Sheffield knife maker, and Little Mester, working in the traditional way, making a Barlow pocket knife with a Wharnecliffe blade. 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. 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. Since learning my craft, I feel a responsibility to maintain the skills and artistry that made Sheffield famous. A modern day ‘Little Mester’, working out of a workshop in Portland Works – Sheffield’s first purpose built cutlery factory dating back to 1879. For more information please visit http://michaelmayknives.com/ £54.00. 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. 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. 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. Filmed at the… They can be made, quite literally, with my blood, sweat, and tears! Pulled fibre birch brooms. Traditional knife maker based in Portland Works, Sheffield. Guardian Article – 2016 – Sheffield Telegraph Article 2016 – Robin Wood Blog Article 2016 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 … Expert cutler Trevor Ablett was retiring and selling off equipment. I never knew I wanted to be a knife maker. Publications featuring Sheffield pocket knife maker Michael May. 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. Traditional Sheffield cutler. 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. MICHAEL MAY KNIVES - SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND. 5″ Broad Blade Sheath Knife Leather Round Tang. The University of Sheffield. Handmade folding pocket knives | Made in Sheffield by Michael May | Each knife is made to order | Custom knife orders also undertaken | Buy online The ex-mayor of Sheffield, Mr Michael Hunter, jn. Sheffield made pocket and pen knives. I snapped it up. A very nice knife. Sadly, Trevor died not long after and Sheffield lost one of it's characters but he left me a legacy. Add to basket Details. As a turner I absolutely adore these things. Now this gorgeous little tool looks like a tiny anvil. Soon after finding my workshop an opportunity came my way. The Arthur Wright traditional Sheffield pocket/pen knives are made with many decades' experience of knife making. Michael May Sheffield pen knife maker. 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. Making traditional Sheffield pocket knives in the 21 st century. These pocket knives show the true craftsmanship of the Sheffield knife maker. Further Info. 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. Michael May is a young knife maker … This knife is perfect in its imperfections. The pocket knives are individually hand-crafted in thier Sheffield workshop using methods of manufacture that have been in place for many years. Welcome to Sheffield Knives. 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. when in the States a few years ago, looked in at a grinding "hull" . I love the convenience of a pocket knife, and I use mine all the time for daily tasks. And see Joe More blow the bellows of the forge. Michael May is one of the new breed of "Little Mester" cutlers. 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. Call us on +44 (0)114 268 5701 +44 (0)114 268 5701. Report this profile; About. Company Website. Each knife I make is crafted to the highest standard from carefully chosen materials. It’s handmade and a classic Sheffield made knife… The Grinder, Sheffield grinder Brian Alcock grinding axes, Last day of work playing with Trevor’s fly press. 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. Michael May is a knife maker and cutler based in Portland Works in Sheffield, England. 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. Michael May is one of the new breed of "Little Mester" cutlers. The Knifemaker from John Coombes on Vimeo. 3,033 Followers, 154 Following, 479 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Michael May (@michaelmayknives) I couldn't imagine doing anything else. Michael May trained at a Sheffield cutlers, going on to specialise in the pen and pocket knife workshop. Amber collar. The exclusive Furbellow & Co knife is made to order by Michael. It’s about 4″ long and is what is known in Sheffield as a cutlers “stidy” the word comes from Old Norse for anvil. Michael May didn’t set out to be a knife maker, although other family members had gone into the cutlery trade in Sheffield. Here’s a close up of a recently finished knife. 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. I visit Michael May, master knife maker, to see the process behind a HebTroCo Barlow pocket knife. It is the same knife as Trevor’s and the same shape with a carbon steel blade. Comments (6) Kristin December 21, 2009 Really enjoyed the post, Robin. Sheffield is the birthplace of steel, where better to craft pocket knives of Damascus steel, forged in a workshop from 1870. Additionally, Michael undertakes special commissions, repairs and renovations of old knives. £46.00. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. Experience. 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 Grinder, Sheffield grinder Brian Alcock grinding axes. Wed 2 Nov 2016 03.30 EDT Last modified on Fri 5 Jan 2018 07.27 EST Michael crafts the pocket knife … I decided to work for myself. 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. 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. He has been a traditional cutler in Sheffield for over six years. Bog oak and amber Wharncliffe pocket knife. Following other family members into the Sheffield cutlery trade, I got a job in a cutlery factory. 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 found a workshop at the renowned Portland Works, where over 100 years ago Harry Brearley developed stainless steel for cutlery use. It’s an elegant distinctive Sheffield made folding knife and quite different to the other knives we have. The HebTroCo Barlow Knife will be a prized possession to be handed down through the generations. Add to basket Details. Michael May is a young knife maker … Michael May is a pen, pocket and bowie knife maker. “I just want to make a better knife,” says Michael May. This website uses cookies. The Barlow knife style was invented in Sheffield in the 1600s and is characterised by its comfortable, tear drop shaped handle and heavy bolster. Today I still use patterns that Trevor produced along with traditional Sheffield patterns that the city is famous for. A chunky, traditional Barlow knife with a lambs foot blade, hand made by a skilled craftsman in the home of cutlery, Sheffield, England. Hand Made by Michael May in the Portland Works, Sheffield, these luxurious pocket knives really are a work of art. Knife maker Michael May hails from this vibrant city, globally renowned for its steelworks and cutlery industry. 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. However, I haven't found one ideal for spoon carving yet. I am a knife maker. “I just want to make a better knife,” says Michael May. Michael May produces knives of an extremely high level of craftsmanship. This is his cutlers stool. Maker of pen and pocket knives, hand made in my workshop in Portland Works, Sheffield. 5000 year old bog oak. Michael May Sheffield pen knife maker. 4″ Sheath Knife Stag Round Tang. Join to Connect. The Famous Sheffield Shop Limited 475 Ecclesall Road Sheffield … 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. 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 … By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. Michael May. Michael May produces knives of an extremely high level of craftsmanship. Made by Michael May. 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