Tributes flood in for Stan Shaw, Sheffield's last 'little mester' who made knives for the Queen, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley

The family of well-known cutler Stan Shaw BEM said he had passed away with his wife of 66 years, Rosemary, holding his hand.

They said: “We are devastated to say that yesterday morning Sheffield lost one of its finest craftsmen. We are proud to call him our dad, grandad and husband.

"Who else could work right up until his 93rd birthday, making knives for the Queen and Elvis, to name a few.

"He went to Buckingham Palace to receive his British Empire Medal. He is a legend and will always be remembered

"The city will never forget you and your fmily will remember you for the beautiful, special person you were. Nobody will ever replace you.”

Stan started making knives in 1939 at the age of just 14, still spending nine hours on the bench in his 90s.

Sam’s family didn’t have a cutlery background, but on a trip to Sheffield he saw pocket knives for sale in the market and decided that’s what he wanted to do.

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In 2016, he was awarded the British Empire Medal for meritorious service worthy of recognition by the crown- it was first time such an award had been bestowed on a member of the cutlery trade.

According to The Friends of Portland Works, the cutlery industry declined Stan learned how to do many of the jobs that would make a knife, such as forging, grinding and hafting.

Traditionally these tasks were separate subdivisions of the cutlery trade, carried out by single person and meant that many different cutlers were involved in the making of one knife.

In that way, Stan was unique because he could make a knife from start to finish on his own.

Sheffield residents have rallied round to pay their respects.

Scott Whitman said: “He was a great man and a gentleman. My dad was so proud of the knife he made him. It will stay in the family for ever.”

Viven Clowes said: “A Sheffield legend that I’m sure will be sharpening his knives over the rainbow.”

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