Robert (c.1817-1875) was a spring knife manufacturer, who was born at Stainborough, near Barnsley.  By 1841, he was living with his wife, Elizabeth (d. 1869), at Allen Street, Sheffield, as a ‘pocket cutler’ (according to the Census).  They had a son, George (1838-1905).  By 1851, Robert was living and working at Cross Smithfield and in the following year was listed in a directory as a spring knife manufacturer.  By 1868, he had moved to Clyde Place, St Philip’s Road.   The Sheffield directory (1871) listed Robert as a manufacturer of one- and two-blade pocket knives.  In the Census of that year, Robert and George (who was a pocket-blade forger) and their families were living in adjacent dwellings at Clyde Place.  It was a typical cutlery enclave, which mingled residences and workshops.  Robert employed five men.  Next to the Shaws was another pocket blade forger, Frank Congreave, and his family.  

Robert Shaw died on 20 January 1875, aged 58, and was buried at Burngreave Cemetery.  His probate was resworn at £450.  G. & E. Shaw was the ‘successor’ firm  at Clyde Place.  It was owned by George Shaw and his sister, Ellen Shaw.  They dissolved their partnership in 1879.  Two years later, George was enumerated in the Census at 2 Clyde Place as a spring knife manufacturer.  He employed eight men and was helped in the business by his son, George Henry (a pen blade maker), and daughter Ellen in the warehouse.   George Shaw continued to manufacture cutlery until his death on 29 November 1905, aged 67, at 2 Clyde Place.  He was buried at Burngreave, leaving an estate of £1,080, with probate granted to George Henry (a pocket blade forger).   George’s wife, Elizabeth, continued to live at 2 Clyde Place until her death on 26 October 1921, aged 81.