Joseph Close (1791-1868) was born at Heeley – probably the son of John (a cutler) and Amelia.  Joseph was listed in directories between 1828 and 1845 as a spring knife manufacturer in Broad Street Lane, Park.  His name has been found on a distinctive folding dirk with unusual pearl-hafted crossguard (over 9-inches when closed).  An identical knife unfortunately has no markings, but is likely to have been made by the same cutler (information courtesy of Mark Zalesky).  In 1841, Close was living in Broad Street Lane with Mrs Hannah Hallam, whom he married in Rotherham in 1857 (when they were aged about 65).  Close was insolvent in 1841, though he continued as a cutler in Broad Street Lane into the 1860s.  He was buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Bramall Lane, on 19 February 1868, aged 77.   Hannah died in Broad Street Lane in 1871, aged 81, and was buried in St John’s churchyard, Park.