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.
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.