The founder, Thomas Renshaw, was born in Eckington, Derbyshire, in about 1815.  He had moved to Sheffield by the late 1830s.  In 1841, he was enumerated in the Census as a cutler in Furnival Lane, living with his wife, Martha, and their sons, Thomas and William.  In 1860, Thomas Renshaw & Son advertised from Milton Works in Suffolk Street as a manufacturer of pen, pocket, and sportsman’s, and rule knives, besides pencil and pen-machine knives.  In 1862, the address was Excelsior Works, Suffolk Street.  In 1869, Renshaw moved his business to Stand Works in Corporation Street.  A contemporary description suggests that it was a typical Sheffield cutlery business:  a four-storied building around a courtyard, with showrooms, offices and warehouse; ‘improved machinery and appliances’; and a management characterized by ‘honourable methods, energy and enterprise’.  About a hundred hands were said to be employed, though this was probably an exaggeration (Industries of Sheffield, 1888).  Table and pocket cutlery (in pearl, tortoiseshell, ivory and horn) were the main lines, alongside scissors and razors.  The trade mark was the word ‘STAND’.

The ownership of the company is slightly unclear.  Apparently, the ‘Son’ in the firm was William Renshaw (1838-1896), who was Thomas’s youngest son.  His eldest son, Thomas, appears to have traded alone (Thomas Renshaw Jun. was listed at Wheeldon Works, Wheeldon Street, in 1879).  Thomas Jun.’s death date, however, has not been traced.  (In 1871, Thomas Burkendale was also listed as a partner in Renshaw’s, though this may be a mistake in the directory, due to confusion with Thomas Sen.’s address in Birkendale View.) Thomas Renshaw died suddenly at his residence High View Cottage, Birkendale on 13 January 1893, aged 77.  He was buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Walkley.  He left £1,976 to his son William. 

William Renshaw died on 3 August 1896.  He was found drowned on the shoreline at the Brigg, Filey.  It proved difficult to find witnesses to identify the body and initially it was reported that the dead man was Thomas Renshaw.  Detailed descriptions were published of the dress and belongings and eventually the body was identified as William's (Sheffield Independent, 5, 6, August 1896).  An inquest concluded that he had slipped on the rocks and injured his head (possibly after drinking) and had been swamped by the incoming tide. However, no one could explain why he was in Filey with no return train ticket or money.  William Renshaw was buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Walkley.  He left £578 to his widow, Louisa Margaret Heaton, who stated in The Sheffield Independent, 7 November 1896, that she would continue the business with her son, William Heaton Renshaw (1880-1963).  They registered a silver mark in Sheffield in November 1896.  However, in 1900 the firm was offered for sale.