This cutlery manufacturer was born in Sheffield in 1868, the son of Charles Robinson, a pocket-blade grinder, and his wife, Ann.  They lived in the Park district.  Herbert worked as a pen and pocket-blade forger, until he started his own business.  He may have been involved in Robinson, Marples & Co (with Alfred and William Marples).  This firm was at Marson Works, Mary Street, and was dissolved in 1899.  By 1900, Mary Street was the location of Herbert Robinson & Co.  By 1910, Matilda Street was the address.  In 1917, Robinson’s was located at Canton Works in Young Street. 

An inter-war trade advertisement showed Robinson’s products.  ‘EVERKLEAN’ table cutlery was given prominence, alongside traditional hollow-ground razors, with a range of marks: ‘GRINDER’, ‘DANYL’, ‘KANTOR’, ‘ROBYN’, ‘KANTON’, ‘PHILO’.  The grinder (picture) mark had been owned by Green & Green Ltd.  The company also produced a traditional variety of pocket cutlery.  Herbert Robinson, Rushley Road, Dore, died on 22 December 1935.  He was buried at Christ Church, Dore.  He left £9,232 to his widow, Gertrude Deniff Robinson.  After the Second World War, the firm was styled Herbert Robinson & Co (Cutlers) Ltd at Canton Works, Rockingham Lane.  It was bankrupt in 1968.