Morton’s mainly dealt in tools, but also evidently sold pocket-knives branded with the Morton name.  The founder was Benjamin Kirk Morton (1849-1922).  He was the son of George, a farmer at Brough (Derbyshire), who was later a wire drawer in Sheffield.  Benjamin became partner in a wire business at Tinsley, but this ended in 1877.  He had a stint as the Australian representative of an agricultural engineers based at Grantham.  By 1902, he had launched B. K. Morton & Co at West Street Lane, Sheffield.  He factored steel and tools (such as files and high-speed steel twist drills).  He opened branches in Australia and Canada before the War, and a New York agency in 1920.  His trade marks were ‘RAYO’, ‘KLONDYKE’, ‘THARSIS’ and ‘TUG OF WAR’.

Benjamin K. Morton died at his residence Rayo del Sol, Wimbledon, on 6 February 1922.  He was buried at Hope, Derbyshire, and left £59,363.  After the firm was wound up in 1925, it was acquired by George Herbert Skellington (1865-1951) and his son, George Herbert ‘Godfrey’ (1894-1965).  They owned steel and tool merchant Skellingtons Ltd at Atalanta Steel Works (named after a Greek goddess).  B. K. Morton & Co (1926) Ltd was registered by Skellingtons with £10,000 capital.  They were joined by Alfred Hartley (1866-1940).  Rayo & Atalanta Steel Works, Princess Street, traded into the 1960s, but was liquidated in 1972.