The Twigg brothers were William (1817-1863) and Samuel (1820-1891).  They were born at Hoyland, Yorkshire, the sons of Thomas (a nailer) and his wife, Martha.  By the 1830s, William and Charles had moved to Sheffield.  In 1838, William married Sarah Tyne (1816-1901); and in the following year, Samuel married May Ann Toyne (1819-1880).  They stated their occupation as cutler.  They partnered Charles Smith in Smith, Twigg & Co, which was listed in Devonshire Lane.  When this was dissolved in June 1852, they formed Twigg Bros at Broomhall Works, Broomhall Street.  They specialised in pen and pocket knives, but also marketed Bowie knives.  In 1853, they advertised for six or eight pocket-knife cutlers (Sheffield Independent, 13 August 1853).  The business failed, however, and in the following year, the working tools (including fifteen vices and forty buffs and glaziers), a steam engine, and office fixtures were offered for sale (Sheffield Independent, 25 February 1854).  William later found work as a warehouseman.  He died suddenly of heart disease at his home in Sheaf Gardens on 16 July 1863.  His unconsecrated burial was at the General Cemetery.

Samuel and Mary Ann had two sons, William (1839-1869) and John (1843-1920).  Samuel Twigg & Son, spring-knife makers, was listed in Arundel Street in 1868.  Thereafter, the address in directories was Union Street, with ‘& Sons’ as the name by 1876.   Samuel Twigg was buried at Norton cemetery on 4 May 1891, aged 71.  His son, John, became the owner of the business, which was in Union Street until the First World War.  John also had a tobacconist’s shop on the London Road.  He died on 29 February 1920, aged 76, and was buried at the General Cemetery.