The Sheffield directory (1951) has a thumbnail advertisement for Sam Hancock.  He was an obscure maker, but typical of the many backstreet cutlers in the post-war era.  Although it has not been possible to confirm the information, he may have been the Sam Hancock (1904-1971), who was the son of Sam Hancock, a table knife grinder, and his wife Mary.   Sam occupied a small workshop in Mappin Street, with his redoubtable wife Flo, and together they produced sheath knives.  Hancock employed a couple of workers as need arose.  Sam did not apparently use his own stamp, but in the time-honoured tradition made knives for other firms as an outworker.   John Clarke & Sons was a major customer.   Hancock also supplied knives – particularly Bowies – to Jack Bell (c.1900-1980), who occupied an adjacent workshop.  These were marked ‘BELL BOWIE’.   Former Clarke’s worker Reg Cooper recalled that Bell had no car, but travelled with his suitcase filled with knives and often took payment in goods rather than cash (personal information from Reg Cooper).  Hancock sold out to Clarke’s in the late 1960s.   He died on 29 December 1971, leaving £666.