A. WRIGHT & SON – Sheffield, England
The Heritage: Established in 1947 by Arthur Wright and his son, this firm remains one of the most traditional pocket-knife manufacturers in the city. Operating from a workshop on Charles Street, every stage of production - from blanking out the raw steel blades and springs to hardening, tempering, assembly and final polishing - is executed in-house by apprentice-trained Sheffield cutlers.
The Verdict: A. Wright is the go-to for those seeking a "working man’s" Sheffield knife. They use traditional materials like C70 carbon steel, prized by enthusiasts for its ability to take an exceptionally keen edge, alongside handle scales made from stag horn, ebony and rosewood. Their sustainability credentials lie in their repairability and longevity; these are mechanical tools designed to be maintained for a lifetime rather than replaced. By keeping the entire manufacturing process within a single site, they maintain a microscopic carbon footprint compared to global competitors.
Core Products: The Ettrick (a traditional curved pruning pattern), the Lambfoot (a quintessential farmer’s knife) and the classic Barlow.
