George Hancock may have been the son of John Hancock (a cutler in Hallam) and his wife, Ann.  If so, he was the brother of Henry Hancock (see Henry & William Hancock).  In the Census (1851), George was enumerated as a 27 year-old spring-knife manufacturer at a dwelling in St Thomas Street.  He was a ‘master cutler’, employing ten men.  He lived with his wife, Hannah.   By 1871, the couple were living in Powell Street, Netherthorpe, and George employed 16 men at workshops in Love Street, making spring and Bowie knives.   The firm was styled ‘& Sons’, though more typically its title was ‘George Hancock’.  It is easily confused with another George Hancock, who made scales and blades.  In the 1870s, Hancock’s business address was Holly Street Works.   He employed six men by 1881.   In the 1891 Census, he described himself as a ‘Bowie knife manufacturer’.   His wife, Hannah, died in 1895, aged 72.  He passed away two years later on 30 May, also aged 72, at his home in Howard Road, Walkley.  He left about £89.  Their remains lie in the General Cemetery.   The company ceased trading.  No trade mark has been traced, though the name was apparently acquired by Robinson & Oates.