ABOUT US

Official Accreditations

  • FSC accreditation is the approval of Spear and Jackson's systems for ensuring the traceability of wood to well managed forests. Spear and Jackson are audited annually by SGS Qualifor to ensure the continued adherence of these systems.

  • ISO 9001:2000 is an internationally recognised published standard which defines the requirements for Quality Management Systems. Spear & Jackson are audited every 6 months by the BSI to ensure our continuing adherence to the requirements of the standard.


If there is one word that people associate with Sheffield it is steel. The city (then a mere town) was known for the production of knives in the 14th century, and by 1600 had become the main centre for cutlery manufacture in England. In the 1740s, a form of the crucible steel process was discovered that allowed the manufacture of better quality steel than had previously been available, and this innovation spurred the growth of Sheffield as an industrial town.

And it was not long after - in 1760 - when the foundations of the one of the city's best known firms, and one synonymous with steel; Spear & Jackson, were laid. It was in this year that a draper named John Love and a Wakefield merchant, Alexander Spear, decided that steel offered a better living than cloth and went into business together. By 1814, the business had passed down to Alexander's nephew John, who took on an apprentice - Sam Jackson - to learn 'ye art, trade or mistery of sawmaking'. Sam's first job was carrying blades from the forge to the grinding wheels yet, by 1830, he had obviously proved his worth as a new partnership was formed - Spear & Jackson.

Neill Tools, Spear & Jackson's parent company, can meanwhile 'only' chart a history as far back as 1889, when James Neill, a successful accountant, turned to steelmaking and patented 'composite' steel (steel-backed iron) for hacksaw blades. Registering the Eclipse trademark in 1909, Neill started making the world's first composite steel hacksaw blades in 1911. By 1924, frames had been added to the range and the company introduced the classic shape which all hacksaws now mirror. Fast-forwarding to the 80s, Neill Tools bought Spear & Jackson in 1985, renaming the business Spear & Jackson plc in 1995. But Neill, Eclipse and Spear & Jackson aren't the whole brand story.


The group also includes the famous WHS trowel brand. Originally known as William Hunt & Sons, WHS is popularly said to stand for 'Work Hard or Starve' and - among other things - its 4" pointing trowels are especially favoured by archaeologists; rows breaking out on the internet whenever another trowel company tries to win the hearts and minds of these 'time team' diggers.

Also within the company is the well-known Tyzack range of plastering tools. Founded by another Sheffield lad, William Tyzack (1781- 1858); the company really got into its stride through his nephew Joseph. Having developed a profitable working relationship with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Joseph registered the Isle of Man triskelion 'legs' - still proudly worn by the company today - with the Cutlers' Company in 1847.

Centuries of experience and innovation have resulted in the materials and development expertise that resides within the company today; and "continuous innovation" is at the heart of the company's ethos. This drive to improve product materials and performance can be seen in many different ways across the company's 3,000 lines.

The organisation has come a long way since 1760, and the Spear & Jackson Group now manufactures and distributes garden tools, metrology equipment, woodworking tools and magnetic equipment under several brand names: Neill Tools, Bowers, Robert Sorby, Moore and Wright, Eclipse, WHS and Tyzack. With divisions across England, France and Australia, Spear & Jackson distributes products throughout the world.



The Spear & Jackson timeline
1760 John Love, a draper, and merchant Alexander Spear recognised a future in steel and set up a new business in Sheffield called Spear & Love
1814 John Spear, Alexander's nephew, took on a young apprentice called Sam Jackson, who soon proved his worth
1830 A new partnership was formed - Spear & Jackson
1889 James Neill, a successful accountant, turns to steelmaking and patents "composite" steel (steel-backed iron)
1909 The Eclipse trademark is registered by James Neill
1911 The world's first composite steel hacksaw blades are manufactured by Eclipse
1924 Eclipse, having added hacksaw frames to their range, develops the classic shape which all hacksaws now mirror
1941 Winston Churchill visits Neill factory
1985 Eclipse owner Neill Tools buys Spear & Jackson
1990s Eclipse delivers the next generation of cutting with their patented ground tooth technology
1995 Neill Tools is renamed Spear & Jackson plc
2007 Today, Spear & Jackson exports to 115 countries on every continent and has subsidiary companies in Australia, New Zealand and the USA. After 245 years of production, Spear & Jackson's headquarters remains in Sheffield.