Hi, Found this website and was interested by the info on here! I thought some of the users of this site might like to know that my family still manufactures hand saws in Sheffield today and that much of my family should be on the list of manufacturers. My family own Thomas Flinn & Co, which many of you may know, produce the Pax brand and also own the Garlick Saw Company and more recently, Roberts & Lee Saws. We also manufacture some William Greaves saws (another name featured on the list of manufacturers). Thomas Flinn & Co.began in 1923 and my grandfather became his apprentice when he was approximately 14 years old. He went on to buy the company in 1936. My father became his apprentice and has sprayed handles since he was 10 years old to earn his pocket money (he still gets pocket money sometimes if he\'s good!). Later his eldest son and I, also became members of the family to work at Thomas Flinn. The company can now boast to be one of the UK\'s ONLY premium hand saw manufacturers. We also have an excellent ecommerce site where all our products can be viewed and purchased and where other Sheffield tool brands are promoted. thought this may be of interest to users of this site and also maybe my family\'s names may be added to the list of manufacturers?? Thanks, Katie
Hi Katie, Welcome to the website, I will put a link on the front page to Thomas Flinn & Co It\'s good to see saw making is alive and well in Sheffield, is there a company history of Thomas Flinn published? Once again welcome, and hope you find something of interest. Regards Ray
Thanks Ray. No unfortunately, I don\'t have too much in the way of company history written down. Obviously a lot of it focuses around my family and we\'re not entirely sure where Thomas Flinn came from but we think he came to Sheffield to set up business as many other\'s did at this time. It\'s not really a local surname but agin not entirely sure. I did find him in a census type book, he went on to run a shop selling groceries etc after my Grandfather bought the business. One of his relatives emailed me saying she had a picture of him and that her relatives used to help pack in the factory. All interesting stuff! Katie
Hi Katie, The link is on the front page, I think this is correct, the current Saw brands manufactured by Thomas Flinn are, Pax ( was at one time Sanderson ) Lynx ( E Garlick & Son ) William Greaves Jesse Lane ( Sanderson Newbould ) Footprint ET Roberts & Lee I will do a bit of digging over the next few weeks, to see if it\'s possible to construct a family tree for the various companies. I don\'t know if you are familiar with Simon Barley, he lives in Sheffield, and has been researching Sheffield saw makers. It might be worth contacting him if you are interested in doing some research on the subject. Meantime, I will see what information can be found. Regards Ray
Pax ( was at one time Sanderson ) Lynx ( E Garlick & Son ) William Greaves Jesse Lane ( Sanderson Newbould ) ET Roberts & Lee List ammended! Thanks for putting the link on! Please feel free to email through my site with any other questions you may have about our brands etc!
Hi Katie, it\'s good that someone from your Company cares about the web. There are a few not so good reviews about the Pax line on the web, you should read. :dry: Most is about too much set and problems with the handles. By the way there are some rumors that the new Disstons are made in England. Maybe at your Company? Hei Ray if you look at my blog you find Tim Hoffmann\'s blog. He\'s a sawmaker from Woodnet.net. Cheers Pedder
Thanks for your interest Pedder. I\'ll take a look at the poor reviews of my products when I get chance. However what would be nice for people to remember is that I also have many many satisfied customers and regularly the Pax\'s win high ratings in tests in magazines. The Pax handles have actually been modified recently. Set can often be a personal preference. Katie x
Hi Katie, You might be just the person to help with this question, Do you know who makes saws with the following brands, Crown Hand Tools Ltd http://www.crownhandtools.ltd.uk/products/saws.asp Footprint Tools http://www.footprint-tools.co.uk/Products/saws.htm Atkinson & Walker http://www.atkinson-walker-saws.co.uk/handsaws.html All claim to be Sheffield based saw makers. I notice on the Thomas Flinn web site that you are selling Crown and Footprint handtools, but not the saws. Atkinson & Walker is one that I have only recently become aware of. I suspect some of them may be manufacturing off-shore, seems to be increasingly common practice. Regards Ray
Hi Ray, Thanks for your question. All the resharpenable saws from any of those manufacturers are made in Sheffield, yes. As this is a public forum, I\'ll leave the rest of the information down to your own deductions if that\'s ok! I don\'t sell other people\'s saws on my site as it\'s the only place I can promote my own!! Atkinson Walker\'s too have a lengthy history, mainly in circular saw making here in Sheffield. Thanks for your interest in the site though. As I mentioned before, if you do have any questions about our products, please do not hesitate to email me through my website. Katie
Ray I know an uncle is doing family history ATM and I have seen Pax/Sanderson name come up often. I already know of family who were into various manufacturing life in the UK one could only hope there is a connection.