Ernest Wright & Sons is a family company that have been hand-making beautiful scissors in the UK since 1902; ranging from DIY and garden models to dressmaking and ceremonial scissors. As some of the last people to make scissors the old-fashioned (very, vintage) way, they were losing out to newfound (low cost, mass manufacture) methods until recently when a photographer, Shaun Bloodworth, decided to visit the Sheffield factory and make a short video, showing how they make the scissors as part of ‘Storying Sheffield’.

Having just watched the video, the first thing I wanted to do was order a pair of these beautiful handmade scissors!  It seems that I am not alone; the business have been flooded with orders over the last few weeks in response to the video that now has over 600 thousand plays (and rising). After the video was posted on Vimeo their daily orders surged from single figures to over 100 and after the story was picked up by the BBC, they received over 800 orders, many from America. This surge in business will hopefully be the kick-start the company need to continue keeping the traditional methods alive.

What’s so interesting about this is that although the business was beginning to struggle because of newfound manufacturing processes, it was very modern media that introduced their beautiful craftsmanship to people who otherwise, would never have known the company existed. Their ethos of hand making each product to the highest quality is admirable and with only two ‘Master Putter Togetherers’ (the actual makers of the scissors), one of whom is working past retirement age to ensure the method can be passed on to their two apprentices, they deserve all the attention they have received.

If you, like me, think their dedication merits at least one order (either as a gift, or as a present to yourself!), make sure you have a look at their website at http://www.ernestwright.co.uk/.  You may have to be patient though, as the influx in orders has left them slightly too busy, especially as one of their ‘Master Putter Togetherers’ was on holiday when the video went viral!  No matter how long you have to wait, we are sure they will be worth it as you will still be using them in 20+ years time.