THE LEDGER: YOUR MASTER SOURCING LIST
For deep-dive journals and photographic studies of UK-made icons, visit The Edit. Here in The Ledger you’ll find our ever-expanding directory of UK makers with details on their origins, products and more.
These are short-form entries - distilled intelligence on heritage, provenance and why these brands deserve a place in your collection. As our field research continues, we’ll produce full photographic reviews in The Edit.
THOR HAMMER COMPANY - Birmingham, England
The Heritage: Established in 1923, Thor is the world's leading manufacturer of soft-faced hammers, operating from its purpose-built factory in Shirley, Birmingham.
The Verdict: Engineering's hidden hero. From the Rolls-Royce assembly line to the world's most elite Formula 1 garages, a Thor hammer is the definitive tool for applying force without damaging the workpiece.
Core Products: Specialist soft-faced hammers, including rawhide, copper, nylon and rubber mallets.
THOMAS FLINN & CO. - Sheffield, England
The Heritage: Founded in 1923, Thomas Flinn & Co. is the last remaining traditional saw manufacturer in Sheffield, the historic heart of British steel. They continue to manufacture completely by hand, producing saws that are world-renowned for their tension, balance, and precision.
The Verdict: A true survivor of Sheffield's golden age. In an era of disposable power tools, their hand-set, resharpenable saws are heirloom-quality instruments built for absolute precision and longevity.
Core Products: Traditional hand saws, tenon saws, dovetail saws and specialist woodworking tools.
JOSEPH MARPLES - Sheffield, England
The Heritage: Not to be confused with the mass-market "Marples" brand, Joseph Marples is a fifth-generation family firm that has produced its "Trial 1" tools in Sheffield since 1840.
The Verdict: The joiner's choice. These tools are built using traditional brass-inlaid rosewood and ebony, offering a level of tactile precision and longevity that modern plastic alternatives cannot match.
Core Products: Premium woodworking marking and measuring tools, including try squares, mortice gauges and sliding bevels.
FOOTPRINT TOOLS - Sheffield, England
The Heritage: Founded in 1875 by Thomas R. Ellin, this brand is a cornerstone of Sheffield's industrial identity, remaining in the same owning family since 1948.
The Verdict: Industrial survival at its finest. In a market flooded with cheap imports, Footprint remains one of the few places where you can still find a professional-grade chisel forged and finished on UK soil.
Core Products: Professional building tools including cold chisels, line pins, bolsters and the iconic Footprint pipe wrench.