The Oates’ had been cutlers, scythe grinders, and farmers at Stannington since at least the eighteenth century.  In 1855, (William) Albert Oates (1835-1896) began making spring knives.  He was listed in 1864 at Wentworth Terrace, but after 1866 rented a workshop at Brookes & Crookes, Atlantic Works, St Philip’s Road,  Presumably, he sometimes made knives for the latter.  Oates’s own productions used the trade mark ‘AOT’ (granted in 1855).  In 1882, he acquired ‘CURRENT’ (formerly used by Alfred Hobson).  Albert lived with his family at 6 Burrowlee Road, Owlerton.  He died on 14 May 1896, leaving £596. 

His son, Frederick William Oates (1860-1923), continued to make pen, pocket, and champagne knives and table cutlery at Atlantic Works.  At one point, Frederick traded as G. Deakin & Co with the marks ‘JUDY’, ‘HELP’ (and picture of a crutch), and ‘TOBY’.  Frederick’s home was a handsome stone house at 47 Rivelin Park Road (pictured alongside a selection of Albert’s knives in a book by Stannington Local History Group (2004).  Frederick William died on 17 November 1923, leaving £2,918.  The business was wound up in 1962, when Frederick’s son, Harry, retired.