English Pocket Fruit Knife Makers (Sheffield)
13 Jessop Street, Sheffield then Eyre Street
William Needham (1853–1915) was a distinguished silversmith and cutler renowned for his craftsmanship in producing pocket fruit knives.
Born in Sheffield, he was the son of Joseph Needham, a maker of joiner’s tools. During his teenage years, William apprenticed as a silver cutler, and by 1881 he had established his own workshop on Jessop Street.
Needham became one of Sheffield’s most prolific pocket fruit knife makers. In 1911 he relocated his business to Eyre Street. William Needham died in 1915 and the business was continued by his sons, William Henry Needham (1877–1963) and Ralph Clarke Needham (1883–1967).
Registered Maker’s Mark
Sheffield silver mark “WN” registered 30 June 1891
Made in 1912, this rare pocket fruit knife by William Needham has a specialist spooned blade with a sharp pull-tooth tip designed to cut through tough fruit skin. The remainder of the silver blade has a conventional edge. To accommodate the the curved tip of the blade the haft is tapered, being wider at the heel end than the hinge end.
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