Joseph Westby (1854-1929) was the son of William, a manager and then partner at Brookes & Crookes.   Joseph’s brother was John Westby.  Joseph was apprenticed at his father’s factory.  He was listed as a maker of knives in his own right at Atlantic Works between 1876 and 1888.   Westby partnered Charles Swift Levick at Congo Works, Pinfold Street/Trippet Lane.  The firm advertised multum in parvo dressing cases, with a range of useful items – mirror, scissors, knife, razor, forceps, and bandages (Cycling, 26 November 1892).  However, the partnership ended in 1894.   In that year, Joseph Westby & Co Ltd was established at Congo Works, dealing in cutlery, scissors, and electro-plate.   The capital of £2,500  was held by Joseph and his family at Crookesmoor Road.  This company was wound up in 1896 as insolvent, though Westby continued to trade under his own name.  

By 1913, Westby was listed at Times Buildings in Bow Street and Trippet Lane as a manufacturer of pen and pocket knives.  After the war, Westby moved to Central Works, West Street, and became one of the first firms to sell stainless cutlery.   He died at his residence Goole Green Farm, Fulwood, on 10 December 1929, aged 75 (Sheffield Independent, 12 December 1929).  The funeral was at Christ Church, Fulwood.  Joseph’s estate was valued at £764.   

The company name reappeared in Furnival Street during the Second World War.  An advertisement in The Ironmonger Diary (1952) stated that the firm was established in 1884; and that the director was E. Hammond, who marketed pen knives, scissors, and novelty knives (including those with Chesterman rules).  Hammond is unidentified so far, but he may have been a previous manager or partner, as an individual of that name was amongst the mourners at Joseph’s funeral (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 14 December 1929).  Westby’s had ceased trading by 1965.   No trade mark has been traced, though Westby registered silver marks in 1893 (as Westby, Levick & Co) and in 1894 (as Joseph Westby & Co).