Mr Rocca is 95 years old.
He worked for Ernest Wright from 1949 until 1975, and recently spent time with us again at Kutrite Works in Sheffield.
While standing in the workshop, he spoke about one of the old trade tricks. A little oil on the face of the hammer helped prevent damage when adjusting scissors by hand. Small things, learned through years at the bench and passed from worker to worker.
Listening to him speak so naturally about the work, after all these years, was something very special.
At one point, he smiled and said he wished he was young again so he could come and join our team.
Mr Rocca worked at Ernest Wright from 1949 until 1975.
Today, at 95 years old, he spent two and a half hours back at our Kutrite Works.
He talked almost without pause. About the people, the atmosphere, the noise, the craft and the way things were done. You could feel that the scissor trade never really left him.
Possibly the oldest scissors craftsman still around. Eric Stones, at 83 suddenly feels like the young one. They know each other from long time ago.
Much more to come about this very warm and special visit.
The Turton Kitchen Scissors.
Designed in Sheffield by Frank Turton.
Still made in Sheffield by Ernest Wright.
A small part of the city’s scissors-making heritage, kept alive.
Old machinery only keeps working if you stop to take care of it.
Saddle grinders stripped back for new wheels, and the slack grinder apart for repairs.
Part of keeping the workshop going.
Our long-standing grinding wheel supplier ceased trading, and wheels of this kind are no longer made in Britain.
These bespoke wheels were made for us in the Netherlands.
The 10” Tailor shears have been waiting on them.
A small but important moment in keeping the workshop moving.
Now we are curious to see how they compare with the old wheels.
Maintenance day at the workshop.
An unexpected leak on one of the slack grinders, and new wheels for the saddle grinders.
It slowed us down, but helps make sure we can keep cracking on.
Maintaining old machinery is part of keeping the craft alive.
New wheels for the saddle grinders, and the kind of upkeep needed for the workshop to run.
It can slow us down for a day, but helps make sure we can crack on.
