The knife that we have appears to have been a complimentary gift from Kenneth Asher to celebrate the end of World War 2. Ken was a well known Sheffield butcher, shopkeeper and slaughterman who had a shop on Herries Road along with stalls in the Sheffield meat & fish market and also the abattoir.  Ken was the son of Archie Asher, also a shopkeeper & butcher, who had a shop at 161 Upwell Street (1939).

The two photographs show Ken's shop on Herries Road around 1958 and December 1966, the latter looking very quiet due to Sunday closing operating at that time.  According to the 1939 Register Ken and his wife Lilian lived 'up the road' at number 531.  The row of shops was also very traditional for the time, i.e. butcher, grocer and confectioner serving the local community for most of their 'needs'.

Ken's life appears to have undergone a personal tragedy when both his wife Lilian Sophia and new born daughter Jennifer died on 20th March 1945.  Following his retirement he moved to Scarborough where he died in 1984 age 72.

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