Wilkinson was a leading Sheffield scissor manufacturer founded by Thomas Wilkinson in the early 19th century. By 1822, Wilkinson was crafting scissors in Meadow Street, later moving operations to Fitzwilliam Street and Workhouse Lane. The firm gained prestige as Royal Appointed manufacturers by 1839 and relocated to High Street in 1840, supplying fine scissors, cutlery, and silverware to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
In 1875, Whiteley incorporated Thomas Wilkinson & Sons, merging Wilkinson’s legacy with Whiteley’s long-standing tradition dating back to 1787. Whiteley continued Wilkinson’s innovative spirit, particularly in sidebent scissors—a design credited to Thomas Wilkinson that revolutionised tailoring shears.
Today, the Wilkinson brand represents Whiteley’s premium product line, celebrated for unmatched craftsmanship and durability. The Classic Shears, with hand-painted glossy black handles and precision cutting capabilities, are packaged in signature presentation boxes, exemplifying tradition and modern design. The Wilkinson heritage, from royal warrants to medal-winning exhibitions, lives on in Whiteley’s Sheffield premises.