The tale of this cutlery manufacturer is simply told: it was founded in 1899; was based at 57 Trafalgar Street for about sixty years; and was owned throughout by two brothers – John Edward Kirk (1872-1950) and Percy Kirk (1874-1963). They were born in Sheffield and related to John Kirk (1820-1889), the cutlery manufacturer at Batavia Works.
In the Census (1881), John Edward and Percy (aged eight and seven, respectively) were living with the family of John and Emma Kirk at Clarkson Road. They were described as John Kirk’s grandsons, but no information on their parents has been found. They may have been the sons of John Kirk (1847-1877), who was the son of the John Kirk of Batavia Works. In 1891, John Edward and Percy were living with Emma – the Kirks’ daughter – at Peel Terrace. They had started work as clerks for a manufacturer. In 1899, they launched their own business at 57 Trafalgar Street.
According to their brief newspaper advertisements in 1899, they started by selling cycles. That apart, they rarely featured in the newspapers, except in 1909 when the brothers unsuccessfully sued Provincial Homes Investment Co, Manchester, for fraudulent misrepresentation after they had each invested over £57 and received nothing in return (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 2 February 1909). By 1901, they were listed in directories as a cutlery manufacturer. They apparently specialised in table knives. It is likely that these were factored. They shared the factory at 57 Trafalgar Street with other makers at various times – notably, Axe & Wright and Jessop & Smith – so the Kirks may have occupied no more than an office and warehouse. The Kirks lived at the same residence (41 Fir Street) and died there: John Edward on 28 September 1950, aged 78; and Percy on 29 May 1963, aged 89. They left £4,439 and £22,611, respectively, and were buried in the same grave at Crookes Cemetery. Percy had retired by the year of his death and the firm had ceased trading.