Wilkinson was one of Sheffield’s premier scissors manufacturers.  Thomas Wilkinson (c.1782-1863) was making scissors in Meadow Street by 1822.  He may have been the ‘Wilkinson’ in Steers & Wilkinson (see Steer & Webster).  Thomas moved to Fitzwilliam Street (1833) and then to Workhouse Lane (1837).  The firm employed some of the most skilled scissors makers in Sheffield, such as Peter Atherton.  In 1839, the firm became ‘manufacturers of scissors in ordinary’ by Royal Appointment.  In 1840, Thomas Wilkinson & Co relocated to High Street as ‘manufacturers to Her Majesty and Prince Albert of fine scissors, shears, nail nippers, etc., and cutlery, silver plate, and dealers’.   Thomas, who became Master Cutler in 1843, was joined by his son, George (1814-1868).

Wilkinson’s High Street shop encountered difficulties and in 1844 the stock was auctioned to pay creditors.  Besides fine scissors, the sale included all types of cutlery, silverware, lamps, and writing desks (Sheffield Independent, 7 September 1844).  The Wilkinsons moved to New Church Street.  At the Great Exhibition (1851), George Wilkinson was apparently instrumental in organising the Sheffield Court in the Crystal Palace.  Wilkinson’s display, which won a Prize Medal, included:

• Duplicate specimen of scissors, manufactured for the Queen, with the ornamental scroll-work, royal arms, Victoria, etc., filed out of solid steel.  Six dozen files were required to cut out the work.
• Scissors, 23 inches long [58cm], forged from ingot of steel, with etchings on blades of the Exhibition Building and scroll-work.

Besides its fancy scissors, Wilkinson’s became known for its innovations in design and manufacture.  It produced scissors with a patent-lever spring, which was intended to provide uniform pressure upon the edges.  Other scissors had a regulating spring screw, which resisted the pressure of cutting strong materials and prevented the blades loosening.  Wilkinson’s brass-handled tailors’ scissors were particularly popular.  These were manufactured by laying the rough and incomplete scissor blade in a mould, with three small holes drilled in the tang.  Molten brass was then poured into the mould.  The brass ran into the holes to form the rivets;  and the overall shape of the mould was designed to provide a more comfortable fit for the hand.

Prizes were awarded to the company in Paris (1855) and in London (1862).  Illustrations of Wilkinson’s exhibition scissors can be seen in The Art Journal (1850), The Art Journal’s Illustrated Catalogue: The Industry of All Nations (1851), and Pawson and Brailsford’s Illustrated Guide (1862).   Wilkinson’s display cases and scissors are now part of the Hawley Collection at Kelham Island Museum.  According to Ken Hawley (personal information), the exhibits had found a home in a high-class chemists shop.

By 1861, the firm employed 25 workers.  Thomas Wilkinson, ‘gentleman’, died (aged 81) on 13 April 1863, at Manton Place, Sheaf Gardens.  He was buried in the General Cemetery.  His son continued the business and became Master Cutler in 1861.  George Wilkinson, Northumberland Road, died on 27 July 1868, aged 54.  He, too, was buried in the General Cemetery.   He left under £2,000.  Bereft of its partners, the business continued in New Church Street.  By 1871, Edward Burhill Laycock (b. 1849), had taken an interest in the business.   He was the son of William Edward Laycock (1815-21 November 1895), Mayor and JP, who had founded a factory in Portobello for hair-seating and curled hair.  His son was less successful.  He formed Laycock Bros in New Church, which planned to market Wilkinson’s products and use its trade marks: a bow and three arrows and the letters ‘TW’, with a heart and candlestand-shaped device.  In 1879, however, Laycock Bros was bankrupt with debts of £7,500 and Edward Laycock moved to London.  Wilkinson’s assets and marks were acquired by William Whiteley.