A New Pair of Scissors

I was recently given a very special pair of Ernest Wright and Sons scissors. They are not perhaps what you were expecting being a small pewter brooch from a traditional scissor manufacturer in my old home town of Sheffield, England.  These are a very special pair of scissors because as well as being a gift from a friend they are an example of the modern phenomena of crowd funding.

A few months ago Ernest Wright ran a Kickstarter project to start production again of their handmade Kutrite kitchen scissors first produced in the 1960's.  This seemed like a good opportunity to support an old industry with dying skills. Many other people agreed with me as the Kickstarter project raised £248,419 from 3,684 people, way above its original target. After making my pledge and supporting this worthwhile cause I spread the word - letting all of my 22 Facebook friends know!

Cheryll joined the cause to keep the traditional skills and industry alive.  When Cheryll received her traditional Turton kitchen scissors she shared her bounty with me,  giving me one of her pewter scissor pins, which I wear with pride. Just love my scissors, thank-you.

I have to wait a bit longer for my scissors as the Kutrite scissors are being started from scratch with the dies being made and the blanks forged before being handcrafted into my new kitchen scissors.

If you too would like to support a small family owned business that has been making the finest hand-made scissors and shears since 1902, in a once great manufacturing city famous for its stainless steel, they make some great sewing and embroidery scissors.

The Ernest Wright and Son website contains two fascinating and informative videos about the art of scissor making.  One is by the late Shaun Bloodworth, also a Sheffield local and the other is a BBC interview.