Edge tool maker

[Garethboxing]

What exactly is an edge tool maker? I've just done a search of this site to see if the question had been asked before and discovered that a lot of us have one 

Was it restricted to a particular industry or could his skill have been used in various fields - maybe including farming?

  Regards, Gareth

[Nutty1966]

Hi

Maker of knives, scythes - cutting tools

Have a look on this site, I love it

http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/e.html


Jane

[Garethboxing]

Thanks, Jane - and I've bookmarked that site 

Now the question is: would he have worked in a factory or been a self-employed sort who perhaps travelled around seeking work. Perhaps he would have doubled up as a knife-grinder, who used to go from place sharpening cutting edges?

   Gareth

[stanmapstone]

There are 23 categories under edge tool in "The Dictionary of Occupational Terms"
edge tool bander; edge tool cutter-out; edge tool examiner; edge tool fasher; edge tool fitter; edge tool forger; edge tool forger's striker; edge tool grinder; edge tool gripper; edge tool handler; edge tool hardener; edge tool japanner; edge tool jobbing grinder; edge tool machineman; edge tool parer; edge tool  plater (nickel); edge tool  plater (smith); edge tool  raw glazer; edge tool roller; edge tool setter; edge tool setter (grinder); edge tool stamper; edge tool striker. 

But no Edge Tool Maker 
Stan

[Romilly]

You might find something on this site:

http://www.unionancestors.co.uk/AtoZ%20A.htm

(They might have had a Trade Union).

Romilly

[Garethboxing]

Thanks, Stan (I had a little bet with myself that you'd be on - I'll have a pint with the winnings tonight  ) even if the actual phrase "edge tool maker" seems to be missing. There are certainly several them on RC members' trees.

And, Romilly, that's another handy site to be bookmarked. Most of the edge tool unions seem to be pretty localised, but there might be a possible source of info among them.

  Gareth

[stanmapstone]

Edge-tool, in early use, any implement with a sharp cutting edge, as a knife or sword; now (in lit. sense) restricted to industrial tools, and technically denoting chiefly chisels, gouges, planes, etc., also (with defining adj. heavy) axes, hatchets, etc. Also attrib. (The form edged tools is now used only in fig. sense.)
Oxford English Dictionary

Amalgamated Edge Tool Trade, Protection and Death Society of Birmingham and District
http://www.unionancestors.co.uk/AtoZ%20A.htm

Amalgamated Society of General Toolmakers, Engineers and Machinists
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/ead/259TE.htm

Stan

[gales]

Hi, My Gt and Grandfather were Edge Tool Makers in Sheffield. They made cutlery, saws, knife sharpeners, etc. Also Silver Comb Makers. They were usually the smaller companies that had two or three workshops that made up a number of different items.

[Garethboxing]

Thanks, gales.
  My problem is that I have an ancestor who worked most of his life as a farm bailiff, but turns up (if it is him; the age is right and there's no other likely lads around) in 1881 as "former edge tool maker".
  I have the marriage cert in 1864 of his son (my gt-grandfather) and on that he is described as a "cutter", which sounds as though it could be connected. But you'd have thought (well, I'd have thought) that he'd refer to himself in old age as a "former farm bailiff", given it's a more impressive job.
   Regards, Gareth