https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall What do you use a knife for? Peeling an apple from the fruit bowl on your kitchen table? Sharpening blunt pencils? Shaving your beard before an important interview? Knives are used daily by surgeons, upholsterers, florists and your local fishmonger. Who’s story would you most like to tell? Blunt Blades is an art project by artist Arabel Lebrusan that centres on our complex relationships with knives, exploring whether objects’ meanings can be re-established via material transformation and contextualisation. “In October 2013, Bedfordshire Police presented me with three crates of confiscated sharp objects, from knives and swords to corkscrews and scissors. I’m fascinated by the power of the object and the idea that matter can vibrate, communicating with us as human beings; with the ways materials carry inherent meanings and how those meaning can be reshaped. And so, since that day nine years ago, my mind has been occupied with the idea of transforming the metal from these confiscated objects into works that could evoke other emotions. What makes a corkscrew become a deadly weapon? What makes a deadly weapon become a one-of-a-kind jewel?” Now an upcoming solo exhibition at The Higgins Bedford, Blunt Blades will display new works in a variety of mediums: photography, sculpture, jewellery, drawing, and audio. Accompanying the exhibition are three online workshops, a COVID-proof website and a publication co-created by writers like you, shinning new light on some of the objects of our social history collections. This wall shows a variety of blades from The Higgins Bedford Collection. We’re asking you to select one of the knives displayed here, email us to let us know which you’ve picked, and write a short fictional story of no more than 300 words with your selected blade at its centre. Once gathered, these tales and their accompanying images will form the basis of the publication inherent to the Blunt Blades exhibition. For further info or choosing a blade please email Lydia Saul at: Lydia.Saul@bedford.gov.uk . For further info about the artist please visit: www.arabellebrusanart.com. Please keep stories to a maximum of 300 words. The deadline for submissions is Thursday 30th September 5pm. Thanks for your creativity and contributions. en-us 2020-04-22 10:43:46 UTC 2025-09-27 09:41:26 UTC hello@padlet.com TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599184180 Ivory and silver paper knife. Made in 1898 by Adie & Lovekin, Frederick Street, Birmingham. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 13:54:43 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599184180 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599195806 Upholstery knife from Antonio Baldasarre. Probably homemade from other components, bound by copper wire. (no longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 13:59:31 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599195806 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599208266 Improv’d Razor Silver Steel.
Probably from around 1830, manufacturer unknown
Greek style decoration on reverse of box, Silver Steel Razors on lid. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 14:04:56 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599208266 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599212056 Sold by Sanger & Sons spreading knife, 19th Century. 262 Oxford Street and later 489 Oxford Street. Maker unknown. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 14:06:32 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599212056 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599222239 John Pearce & Company. In 1822 the company was at Gibraltar Street, Sheffield, moving to Snig Hill in the 1830s. ]]> 2020-05-28 14:10:46 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599222239 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599234317 In 1968, the Bellis and Marcon Ltd. agreed a merger with W.H. Allen, Sons and Co, Bedford. The new Amalgamated Power Engineering (APE) was owned 60% by Allen's and 40% by B&M shareholders. (No longer available)]]> 2020-05-28 14:15:40 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599234317 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599241503 Corn Razor, made in fine steel; maker Henry Taylor, Fitzwilliam Street, Sheffield around 1860. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 14:18:22 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599241503 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599245833 Richard Stuart (17/9/1894-03/1959) was a physician and surgeon who lived for part of his life in Sharnbrook. Kit made by Fannin, Dublin est. 1829 mainly selling textbooks; by 1842 started selling surgical instruments and by 1858 had become Ireland’s only medical suppliers in a ‘one stop shop’.  They are still in business today. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 14:20:08 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599245833 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599277224 JOHN CLARKE & SONS LTD Sheffield Active at Harvest Lane (1894-1896), Mowbray Works, Mowbray St (1897-1923). Converted into a Ltd in 1905. 1922 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Table Cutlery, Canteens, Butchers' Knives, Razors, Pen and Pocket Knives, Chiropody and Surgical Knives (no longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 14:32:52 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599277224 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599281239 Wick scissors, made by B & S in Guaranteed Forged Steel. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 14:34:37 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599281239 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599292154 Possibly a 'one-off' make by a blacksmith for a thatcher/fence layer/hurdle maker. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-28 14:38:59 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/599292154 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601205678 Wick scissors, decorative, with one pin stand missing and damaged finger loop. (no longer available to select) ]]> 2020-05-29 13:53:41 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601205678 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601208552 Penknife and quill cutter, maker unknown. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 13:55:12 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601208552 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601210542 Cox and Harper penknife. Cox and Harper tailors and outfitters based at 9 St. Mary’s Street; mentioned in 1903 and 1906 directories, but in 1898 it was Dean and Cox. From 1910 it was just Harper Outfitters until 1924. Frederick James Cox, born in Bedford 1852 and died 1906. Albert Harper born in Stevington 1853 and died 1924. Before becoming an outfitter, Albert had worked on the railway in 1872, married Emily L (b.1855 in London) in 1889 and had his first son, who was born in New York in 1890. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 13:56:11 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601210542 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601221553 Fish filleting knife (blade 18cm), made in Switzerland by Victorinox in the Fibrox range. Used by Allan Hinkley, Fishmonger on Castle Road, Bedford (no longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 14:01:36 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601221553 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601224543 Razor with a number 1 on the handle which means it was part of a set; M. Rhodes
Matthew Rhodes was based at 6 Fargate, Sheffield in the 1820’s.]]> 2020-05-29 14:03:10 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601224543 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601509389 Ivory and silver paperknife. Made in 1894 by Levi & Salaman, Birmingham. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 16:21:15 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601509389 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601513658 Table knife, made by Wade, Wingfield and Rowbotham, Tenter Street, Sheffield. From Fairfield Hospital, Arlesey (no longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 16:23:38 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601513658 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601518117 Palette knife, made by Knight. Possibly W. Knight, table knife maker, at the Chadburn's Wheel Works on Brunswick Road, Sheffield around 1870. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 16:26:10 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601518117 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601520539 Pen knife, made by K M. Possibly Kippax made; John Kippax of China Square, Sheffield in 1787. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 16:27:24 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601520539 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601522773 In 1968, the company agreed a merger with W.H. Allen, Sons and Co, Bedford. The new Amalgamated Power Engineering was owned 60% by Allen's and 40% by Belliss & Morcom Ltd shareholders.]]> 2020-05-29 16:28:42 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601522773 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601525235 Harry Hills Hatters and Hosiers shop was opened in 1899 at 7 Silver Street. It was financed by Harry Hills (1845-1909), who had made his money in the grocery and publican trades, for his son James Henry Hills (1870-1937). Around 1920 the shop extended to include 9 Silver Street. The shop ran until 1961. Made by John Watts, Sheffield in stainless steel.]]> 2020-05-29 16:30:09 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601525235 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601532847 Late 18th century, porcelain handle, decorated with formal decoration on a white background. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 16:34:18 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601532847 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601534481 Porcelain handled table knife, possibly silver steel (No longer available)]]> 2020-05-29 16:35:09 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601534481 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601538555 Pen knife, made by B B & Co. This was the Binney Brothers and Company of Sheffield. Thomas (b.1788) and John (1790-1851) had worked with Joseph Haywood until 1824, then became Binney Brothers and Company. In 1841 they employed Mary Wood, 15, as a file cutter and lived with the apprentice George Tune, 15, with Thomas and his wife Sarah.]]> 2020-05-29 16:37:24 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601538555 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601541149 Possibly a 'one-off' make by a blacksmith for a thatcher/fence layer/hurdle maker. (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 16:38:51 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601541149 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601543998 Upholstery Awl from Antonio Baldasarre handle made from 'Tufnol' then painted. (No longer available to select).]]> 2020-05-29 16:40:24 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601543998 TheHigginsBedford https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601546126 Made by Cash and Sons; Surgeons’ three blade bleeding knife. Possibly owned by Capt. Graham, adjutant of the Bedford Yeomanry 1901-1909 (Major in 1906). (No longer available to select)]]> 2020-05-29 16:41:35 UTC https://padlet.com/thehigginsbedford/BluntBladesShortStoryWall/wish/601546126