We believe that the knife we have was made in Sheffield (maker unknown) for Schofields (Yorkshire) Ltd department store.

The department store was situated on Angel Street in Sheffield and was originally the premises of  T. B. and W. Cockayne's Ltd, a business established around 1829. The first store, a draper's shop was opened by Thomas Bagshaw Cockayne and William Cockayne the sons of William Cockayne, a 'flax dresser and rope maker', i.e. a person who breaks and beats flax to remove coarse parts in preparation for spinning (also called swingling) into a rope. The company grew rapidly, was incorporated by 1899 and an entry in Whites 1901 Sheffield Directory lists the following services 'silk mercers (i.e. dealers), linen drapers, milliners, hosiers, haberdashers, & gents outfitters, carpet warehousemen, cabinet makers, electricians, & general house furnishers & removers, 1 to 13 Angel Street & The Arcade, Watson's Walk; Cabinet Works, Angel Yard.'. Cockayne's became a popular and reputable trader in Sheffield but the main store was completely destroyed during the Sheffield blitz of December 1940. Trading continued at varying locations in the city centre until 1949 when they returned to a partly rebuilt store on Angel Street. Rebuilding was completed during 1955 and ownership by the Cockayne family continued until 1972 when they were taken-over my Schofield's (Leeds) Ltd, the name was changed and Cockayne's disappears from the city centre.

T. B. & W. Cockayne Ltd was finally wound up during 1986 and struck off the Company Register on 26th June 2018. The site has since had various occupiers but lost most of its former grandeur.

If you have any information about the knife or the maker, please share it with us via enquiries@hawleytoolcollection.com