Spotlight: Sheffield's Last Traditional Edge Tool Grinder

Glimpse the skilled art of edge tool grinding with Peter Gribbon, a master craftsman who is helping to keep Sheffield’s industrial heritage alive.

Working at the historic Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, a rural scythe and steelworks dating back to the 1700s, Peter uses traditional methods and historic tools.

Peter has worked in this historic workshop for over 38 years, here he shares the demanding yet rewarding nature of his craft, “This job will either make you or break you. Until you find your way of letting the grindstone do the work, the job is tough. But once you do, it becomes easier.”

Watch as Peter grinds the edge of a sword and shares his experience ‘working in the footsteps of ghosts,’ preserving skills and stories that would otherwise be lost.

The accompanying song at the beginning of this video is a protest song believed to date from the 1800s. The song expresses anger towards a Government enquiry that found bad working conditions were the fault of the workmen themselves. Sung by Ray Hearne, 2025.

This project is part of Embrace Abbeydale, a programme of improvements at the Hamlet generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and thanks to The National Lottery players.

Our Spotlight series takes you behind the scenes at Sheffield Museums, uncovering the stories behind our collections and the work that goes into preserving them.