John Henry Dickinson (1843-1889) was probably the son of William Henry Dickinson, a scale cutter, and his wife, Hannah.  John may have worked first as an engine tenter.  By 1871, he was a table knife forger; and in 1876 established Lowfield Cutlery Forge, Guernsey Road, Heeley.  He manufactured table, spear, butchers’, dagger and Bowie blades – later adding sword blades, razors, and forks.  ‘Commencing life as a workman, he laboriously won his way upwards until he became the owner of a very successful business’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 24 August 1889).  By 1881, he employed ten men and 26 boys.  He died at Fern Lea, Wostenholm Road, on 23 August 1889, aged 46, and was buried in Ecclesall.  He left £9,293. 

His wife, Lucy, became a partner until her death in 1895 (aged 48).  In 1904, Dickinson’s became ‘Ltd’ with £10,000 capital and J. Lee as chairman.  The managing director was Richard Skinner.  In 1920, Dickinson’s became part of Cutlery Forgers (Sheffield) Ltd. Skinner died on 10 September 1948, aged 83.  He had worked until a few days before his death.  The company was liquidated in 1981.  It was next part of Leah-Tomkinson-Lancelott Stampings at Sheaf Bank Works, Prospect Road, and Lowfield Cutlery Forge.  Dickinson’s company records are in Sheffield Archives.