The records of the Company of Cutlers show that the Borwicks had been active in the cutlery trade since at least the 1730s.  John Borwick was listed in 1774 as a table knife cutler in Petticoat Lane (Milk Street), using the trade mark ‘BARICK’.   In 1795, a cutlery partnership was dissolved between John Borwick and Joseph Broomhead (possibly of Benjamin & Joseph Broomhead).  John Borwick may have been the cutler of that name, who was buried at the parish church on 16 March 1803.  

By the second decade of the nineteenth century, Borwicks were living and working in Bailey Lane (a thorough-fare off Broad Lane).  Between 1822 and 1825, Roger Borwick was a lancet and fleam manufacture in Bailey Lane, though his name had disappeared from directories by 1828.  However, Samuel Borwick (probably a son, who was baptised on 20 December 1795) was making the same products in Spring Street after 1825.  Samuel Borwick claimed £11 8s 6d in damages after the Sheffield Flood in 1865.   Samuel remained working at Spring Street until 1868, but apparently died in that year, aged 72.   By 1871, Charles and Henry Borwick had established themselves as fleam manufacturers in Radford Street, but the business did not survive the decade.  Thomas Fox Howard advertised in 1879 as ‘successor’ to Borwick, Spring Street.   Edwin Borwick Jun. carried the name forward as a surgical instrument grinder.  Edwin Borwick & Sons, surgical instruments grinders, was listed in Rockingham Street between about 1905 and 1915.