The Pitts’ family specialised in razors.  By 1828, John Pitts (c.1797-1859) was working as a razor manufacturer in Sims Croft (off Hawley Street).  Later his address was Trafalgar Street.  He brought two sons into the business – Charles (born c. 1820) and John (born c. 1834).   By 1845, Charles Pitts had launched his own business at Chester Street.  His advertisement in that year’s directory was dominated by his trade mark – a cannon and the word ‘DEFIANCE’ (granted in 1845).  Pitts advertised ‘fine razors’, ‘superior’ table cutlery, and shoe, butchers’, and cooks’ knives.   In the following year, his wife, Mary, died on 28 October, aged 28.  In 1848, he married Marian Stacey at Mount Zion Chapel.  It was not a happy union.  A year later, Charles posted a public notice in the local newspaper warning that he was not answerable for Marian’s debts (Sheffield Independent, 24 March 1849).

Pitts exported his razors to the USA and embellished the blades with etchings of a cannon surrounded by an American eagle and stars and the legend: ‘AMERICAN DEFENCE RAZOR’.  In 1859, Pitts sued Sheffield razor maker John Shaw for selling razors with a similar mark.   The case was dismissed (Sheffield Independent, 21 December 1850).   In the 1852 directory, Charles Pitts was a razor manufacturer at Trafalgar Wheel (with a residence in Milton Street).   He employed a dozen men and three apprentices.  

Charles’ father was working in Chester Street, with a residential address in Trafalgar Street.   John Pitts Sen. died, aged 62, on 3 May 1859, and was buried in the General Cemetery.  He left under £2,000.  He had already handed over to Charles and John, who formed Pitts Bros at Trafalgar Works in Trafalgar Street.  The firm advertised in 1861, using the ‘DEFIANCE’ mark.  However, in the following year Pitts Bros was bankrupt.   John Pitts continued to work as a razor manufacturer in Trafalgar Street, but died on 27 September 1872, aged 38.  Charles eventually abandoned razor manufacture.  He operated a beer house (Canterbury Hotel) in Egerton Street and became an etcher and gilder.  He died at Monmouth Street on 28 February 1892, aged 72.  His unconsecrated burial was in the General Cemetery.  

‘John Pitts’ remained as a razor manufacturer at Trafalgar Street.  In 1855, John had married Lucy Flower.  After her husband’s death, she continued the business until her own death on 8 October 1905, aged 72.  She was buried at Burngreave.  Her daughter, Kate Augusta Pitts (1871-1949), was the last family representative in the business, which was listed until the First World War.   The cannon mark was later used by Wilkin and Brooksbank.