Scissor making at Ernest Wright

[Henry Hall]

Making shears at Ernest Wright in Sheffield. Only three master cutlers left there now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0xcd_7vFOs

[Henry Hall]

Since the above film Ernest Wright Ltd has been through some major problems. They gained a mass of orders on the strength of such viral marketing, but the company couldn't cope and deliver. They have two master cutlers, ageing machinery and were only working two days a week because of a slump.

Being unable to deliver, the director Nick Wright, committed suicide and the company ended up going into receivership; the fate of so many great craft trades in this century. The business has been bought by two Dutch 'entrepreneurs' and seems to be back on track, but they are only producing three products: the classic Turton houshold scissors (I still have a pair I got from my mother, which she bought in 1971); some embroidery scissors and a small 10" pair of dressmakers' shears.

[Schneiderfrei]

Horrible to hear of the fate of the director.

[hutch--]

Unfortunate to hear this, very few decent shear manufacturers left now.

[Futura]

I was very upset to hear about the Ernest Wright company. It seems like only yesterday I spoke with Nick Wright about getting my collection of vintage shears and scissors refurbished. We always went in person and drove to Sheffield from Coventry and loved looking into their workshop as I had a lot to sharpen (and purchase too!). I have a lovely pair of trimming scissors custom made for me by them.

I hope that the investors who bought the company and equipment are successful and that the Ernest Wright brand flourishes again.

https://www.ernestwright.co.uk/history/