You probably never stopped and really thought about what goes into making a pair of scissors. I know I hadn’t. When you think about it, scissors are actually extremely complex tools. The blades have very low tolerances, and have to be sharp, balanced, and designed to fit a variety of hand sizes. If the blades are to far apart, they won’t cut. If they are to close, they won’t shut. Now, imagine making them by hand. Talk about skills. The video below documents Ernest Wright & Sons of Sheffield England, one of the last remaining hand manufacturers of scissors. Specifically “Putter” Cliff Denton as he makes pair after pair by hand, forging, grinding, and polishing them to perfection.

The Putter from shaun bloodworth on Vimeo.

This Film is part of Storying Sheffield , part funded by the Arts & Humanities department under Professor Brendan Stone at The University of Sheffield . Music and Sound Design by The Black Dog