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Wasn't sure where best to post this link, but thought this forum might be most appropriate. Interesting audio slideshow on a fast-disappearing livelihood. I wonder if the term 'Mester' has the same etymology as 'Mastro' in Italy (as in Mastro Livi)?
Disappearing acts: Making a Sheffield pocket knife | Money | guardian.co.uk
Very interesting. Thanks for posting.
I didn't know the term "mester", but being latin myself, I believe that "Maestro" Livi is the same as "Master" Livi, someone who has a great deal of experience and can pass his wisdom.
German meaning "Master". I'm not sure if the etymological differences though, as I've seen Meister used both respectfully and perhaps mocking context.Quote:
Originally Posted by majurey
Interesting article.
In Danish, "mester" means master or champion. Surely, it's grounded in the same latin word as in many other languages.Quote:
Originally Posted by majurey
I'm sure the other posters are correct: the word-root is common to many anglo/saxon/teutonic languages. A "little mester" is sheffield dialect word for a master craftsman practising his trade on a small scale though. Just out of interest, here are a few more old sheffield trade words, courtesy of the the sheffieldforum.co.uk
Bull Week – The week before Christmas when cutlers "bulled" at work – worked overtime or made an extra effort at work to earn extra money.
Chavel – To chew or fray a rope or band
Click howd – To catch hold of anything.
Clout – a cloth used for wiping knives clean.
Choil – depart in a great hurry.
Cuckoos – Faulty work. When a man has faulty work returned he is greeted with cries of “cuckoo” from his mates.
Dollop – a lot, large number of articles.
Gobbed-on – Soldered on; The expression is said to arisen because men used to spit (gob) on an article frequently as they soldered it; but it may also be a term of contempt indicating that it may just be stuck together with spit.
Kelt – money.
Knobstick – a blackleg or non-union workman, also a man who hadn’t served an apprenticeship.
Little Mester – a Master Cutler working on his own.
Rammel – refuse of any kind.
Skerrick - a morsel of something.
Regards,
Neil
I would volunteer to be an apprentice in a minute. Thanks for the post.
Something I have often wondered about is the meaning of "Mastro" in Mastro Livi's name. After a lot of 'poking about' I gather that his name is Lido Livi and that "mastro" - a not too uncommon Italian surname (and also a forname) - means a skilled craftsman. It is also used for a teacher, and it's etymology includes "Maestro" and the the latin "Magister" - we had to call our latin teacher at school magister - I wonder if he heard it as "master" or "teacher"? He was a pompous little tw*t, so probably the former.Quote:
Originally Posted by majurey
So it appears to be the same as Majurey thought - not his name, but a title, although it is very often mispelled, most commonly as "Maestro" by many.
Regards,
Neil
Mester is a Yorkshire dialect word for master. Yorkshire has many Scandinavian origin words from the days of the Vikings so there's a link to the post above!Quote:
Originally Posted by scoof
I have a couple of Trevor's knives and they are amazing value for the money. How he can make such a good knife, mostly by hand and sell it for £20-£30 I don't know!
Get one now, he'll not last for ever!
Gareth
I'm guessing this has links to the German for money: Geld. Maybe it migrated to Sheffield's cutlery industries as a result of some Sheffield/Solingen work experience/cultural visits amongst artisans? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Neil Miller
Are there any U.S. suppliers that sell Trevor Ablett Sheffield's pocket knives? Thanks
It probably did come from the German, but a bit earlier in time. Oh, around the saxon invasion would be my guess. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by majurey
I live in Sheffield and have been to see Trevor a few times and I have a small collection of his knives. He is always very friendly and welcoming when you go to see him. After watching him make his knives I have no idea how he does it for the money after he has paid all his overheads. I talked to him about an apprentice once and he said that he has asked Sheffield City Council if they would pay the apprentice while he was training and they said no. He can’t afford to train and fund an apprentice because the cost would be too high. Once there were hundreds of little mesters in Sheffield I think that Trevor and Bill are the last one’s still working. Bill who works with him makes Bowie Knives and commando daggers. But he is in his eighties and doesn’t make that many knives anymore; saying that Trevor is in his sixties and has partly retired he only works 5 days a week now. That was a comment that he said last time I saw him. With regards buying his knives he doesn’t advertise however there is a web site that sells his knives. I asked Trevor about straight razors last time I went to see him and he said that when he was an apprentice you did every job in the factory and learned your skill that way. If one of the little mesters took a shine to you they would take you under their wing and finish your training. Because of this Trevor only pinned straights not made or ground them.
http://www.sheffield-cutlery.com/pocketknife.html
I hope that I am not braking any rule by putting that web site up if I am I’m sorry and will take it down. I have never bought from this web site and have no idea if they are any good. I just know they sell Trevors knives
I ordered one of Trevor Ablett's pocket knives in early February. He was so inundated with orders after the Guardian article appeared that he has struggled to keep up. After a couple of email exchanges with the distributor, I left it to arrive whenever it was ready. It would come. So I had quite forgotten my order when a little package arrived for me yesterday.
It really is a beautiful thing to behold. It is so well made. Everything is flush, smooth, and solid. And it was a lovely touch to be given a little slip of paper as a certificate. I really recommend Trevor's knives. They are just incredible value for money. I have a feeling I'll be ordering more in future.
Anyway, here's the photo of my new EDC. Stag horn scales, clip point CS blade, brass bolsters.
That is one of the nicest traditional slip joints I have seen in a long time. Enjoy it, carry it!
Great to see a master at work! His hands tell the story of a lifetime of skilled usage. I also liked the sparking of the steel off of the belt as it indicates a good high carbon steel. Love to get one or two of his knives. Do you have an address or email?
QUOTE=majurey;534588]Wasn't sure where best to post this link, but thought this forum might be most appropriate. Interesting audio slideshow on a fast-disappearing livelihood. I wonder if the term 'Mester' has the same etymology as 'Mastro' in Italy (as in Mastro Livi)?
Disappearing acts: Making a Sheffield pocket knife | Money | guardian.co.uk[/QUOTE]
I ordered one of Trevor Ablett's pocket knives in late February and waited for it to arrive. I am very pleased with this pocket knife, very sharp and well made.
@Howard
Exile gave us the website address which is Pocket Knives Made in Sheffield by Little Mester Trevor Ablett
The distributor is Robert Day. Be prepared for a 3-month wait as the orders are still stacked up I think. But well worth it.
Cheers
M.