JonathanD and CLEMS epic days out.

[CLEM]

It was well worth the train ride, nice to meet Mr Mitchell, bloody good bloke. Tour round the works was epic, the sights, sounds and smells, learning the history of the place. Learning about past , present and ongoing projects of Stuart’s, the how’s and the whys, top stuff.

Couple of light libations and away home on the ChooChoo again.

The only minus was I didn’t have time to get my resupply of Hendo’s, so another jaunt up to the Steel City will need to be made so

 

[JonathanD]

There’s some really nice limited editions he made for the NHS, using his own model as the base, with blue liners. A really stunning knife and a unique profile. It’s become quite a signature blade of his over the years. I love the bolts. Just neat and aesthetically pleasing.




There’s also some unique items that if you know you know. And if you don’t then it’s probably best kept that way. Stuart’s scope of clientele is really broad. From making knives for the military to making knives for very high end gun makers like Holland and Holland and Purdey.




I had my own project for Stu and hopefully we can do another work in progress thread on how these knives are made. I’m getting a plain, full tang version of the original Wilkinson Survival knife made. Without any of the serrated and saw bits on the blade, with G10 fixed slabs and Stu’s Secare bolts. Leather sheath with DC4 pouch and ferro loop. Similar to the NHS Secares above. This is a digital mock up.



Before we left, and couldn’t resist seeing if the vintage type D drop forged blades were available. They were, so Stu is making some special knives from those antiques for Clem and I. Wooden handles with Secare bolts. Not decided on the wood yet. But the blades will be a nice convex grind.



Anyone who was a member of British Blades and the knife design we all pontificated over for years will remember these blanks below. The knife was all ready to go into production until overnight BB was disbanded. It’s a shame as it was a good design. This is all that remains now. Maybe one day these will get completed. It’s tempting. Some good memories are in this blade.



Anyway, after stopping Stu from doing any work for most of the day, he gave us a tour of some of the other workshops in sight. It was a real privilege to see these artisans at work with such historic machinery. Hopefully we can show you some of those when we go back up and collect our commissions. Locksley Gin was amazing. The smell

To the pub and train. Best pints I’ve had in a while. And the burger was on another level.

Cheers Stu. You’re an absolute gent.




If you want to know more about Stuart and are interested in his work. Check him out here.

Custom Knives - Stuart Mitchell Knives

www.stuartmitchellknives.com

 

[Nice65]

Marvelous Jonathon, thanks. It's stuff like this that we lost when BB went down, this wonderful history. Honestly, I tell people the price of a decent knife and they swoon, "How much!!!", but I then begin to talk through the process of starting with a length of 3mm steel and starting to file or grind (and with great skill), drilling, buying in pretty handle materials, heat treat etc. It soon begins to dawn this isn't feeding a Chinese CNC machine a few ingredients and pressing a button.

I'd like to say it's an heirloom item and therefore once in a lifetime...but...

 

[JonathanD]

Marvelous Jonathon, thanks. It's stuff like this that we lost when BB went down, this wonderful history. Honestly, I tell people the price of a decent knife and they swoon, "How much!!!", but I then begin to talk through the process of starting with a length of 3mm steel and starting to file or grind (and with great skill), drilling, buying in pretty handle materials, heat treat etc. It soon begins to dawn this isn't feeding a Chinese CNC machine a few ingredients and pressing a button.

I'd like to say it's an heirloom item and therefore once in a lifetime...but...

Exactly. I hate to think how many hours go into the making of one knife, entirely by hand, by one man. Not to mention the time sourcing the scale material the customer wants, and then finding a piece of that material that they prefer. Then you have the sheath, which most regard as an afterthought. Again, hours to make. Hand cutting, stitching, dyeing, shaping and drying. Stu has access to a superb custom sheath maker on site at Portland Works.

 

[HorseGuy]

Portland Works has history embedded and oozing out of every brick.

That looks like a fascinating place to visit. I would be in my element there.

 

[Stuart Mitchell Knives]

That looks like a fascinating place to visit. I would be in my element there.

I have long since had the idea of the SCCS in the back of my mind; I mentioned it a while ago elsewhere, but TBH, just too busy to sort anything. I will have to do something about it one day, though.

SCCS? Steel City Cutlery Socials

I have chatted with other makers and generally interested folk, and we think it could work.

The idea was to hold a few gatherings through the year, maybe quarterly, maybe less, and see how things pan out.

The purpose would be to get folk together in a friendly, non-sports-hall, workshop environment. ALL makers are welcome, ALL buyers are welcome, ALL users are welcome, ALL interested folk are welcome; buy, sell, trade, collect, do whatever.

I have a fridge; I'll put some beers in it. I might get a few sandwiches, a few beers and a curry after; sounds very doable too.

Sheffield and Portland Works is reasonably central geographically, and of course very apt. I know there is no ideal for such things.

What do you guys think @JonathanD and @CLEM , you have seen the space, the works, and my barbecue area?

 

[JonathanD]

I think that’d be a great idea. There’s a load of makers around you. And to get everyone together to show their wares would be great. As I said, I could have spent days talking about the stuff you have randomly lying about, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

 

[Nice65]

Is Grace still around @Stuart Mitchell Knives?

I’d love to see her again. SCCC sounds a good idea, we had a few successful meets at Knives UK, organised by Mike at that posh hotel that reminded of Hogwarts. Not the same as being surrounded by steel and machinery though.

 

[hughtrimble]

Is Grace still around @Stuart Mitchell Knives?

I’d love to see her again. SCCC sounds a good idea, we had a few successful meets at Knives UK, organised by Mike at that posh hotel that reminded of Hogwarts. Not the same as being surrounded by steel and machinery though.

Grace (Horne, if that's who you're meaning) will be at the Sharp Show 2026 3rd October https://www.thesharpshow.com/

 

[Tengu]

Sheffield is a wonderful place; far from my ignorant Southern ideas of a grim Northern city; its heavily forested and its got TRAMS.

And of course, its where Stainless Steel was invented

 

[CLEM]

I have long since had the idea of the SCCS in the back of my mind; I mentioned it a while ago elsewhere, but TBH, just too busy to sort anything. I will have to do something about it one day, though.

SCCS? Steel City Cutlery Socials

I have chatted with other makers and generally interested folk, and we think it could work.

The idea was to hold a few gatherings through the year, maybe quarterly, maybe less, and see how things pan out.

The purpose would be to get folk together in a friendly, non-sports-hall, workshop environment. ALL makers are welcome, ALL buyers are welcome, ALL users are welcome, ALL interested folk are welcome; buy, sell, trade, collect, do whatever.

I have a fridge; I'll put some beers in it. I might get a few sandwiches, a few beers and a curry after; sounds very doable too.

Sheffield and Portland Works is reasonably central geographically, and of course very apt. I know there is no ideal for such things.

What do you guys think @JonathanD and @CLEM , you have seen the space, the works, and my barbecue area?

Sounds like a plan to me Stuart, a great plan Go for it i say.

 

[Nice65]

Grace (Horne, if that's who you're meaning) will be at the Sharp Show 2026 3rd October https://www.thesharpshow.com/

That's my girl, amazing scissors and I don't know if you remember the pair of art knives? Like 'dark' art knives, loaded with erotic styling?

Haven't seen her in many years, always great fun when I did.

 

[Nice65]

Sounds like a plan to me Stuart, a great plan Go for it i say.

Yeah, and I need to get up that way to go and see @Diamond Dave at some point soon. I know Dave's not that near, but both Sheffield and The Lakes are a long way from Sussex.

 

[hughtrimble]

That's my girl, amazing scissors and I don't know if you remember the pair of art knives? Like 'dark' art knives, loaded with erotic styling?

Haven't seen her in many years, always great fun when I did.

That's a blast from the past - the corset dagger? She's an incredible maker.

 

[BumblingAlong]

Noticed a camo tent. What make is it

 

[CLEM]

Noticed a camo tent. What make is it

Ello mate. It’s a Eureka ICS, Individual Combat Shelter. I believe they were issued to both US Army and Marine Corps. It’s a good solid one man tent, heavy but solid. I like it a lot.

 

[Nice65]

That's a blast from the past - the corset dagger? She's an incredible maker.

That. Modelled on BB by Grace in somewhat similar clothing.

She told me the story of their sale, to a Russian oligarch in the back of his limo with Matt Diskin (no idea if he’s still about). She said it was a quite ethereal and slightly dark sales experience.

The Twisted Seamstress scissors are similar.

 

[hughtrimble]

That. Modelled on BB by Grace in somewhat similar clothing.

She told me the story of their sale, to a Russian oligarch in the back of his limo with Matt Diskin (no idea if he’s still about). She said it was a quite ethereal and slightly dark sales experience.

The Twisted Seamstress scissors are similar.

View attachment 105736

Those are magnificent.
The transaction perfectly befits the style.

 

[JonathanD]

That looks like a fascinating place to visit. I would be in my element there.

It is incredible. The concrete paving outside has been uncovered recently to reveal loads of old massive grinding stones laid down to use as paving slabs. Sadly I didn’t photograph those. Stu, if you read this, can you go out and do that. Cheers.

 

[JonathanD]

Here we go…