Beaver Falls Cutlery Company

Beaver Falls Cutlery Company

Company type	Private
Industry	Cutlery manufacturing
Predecessor	Binns & Mason, The Pittsburgh Cutlery Company
Founded	1866
Founder	Edward Binns, Samuel Mason
Defunct	1886
Headquarters	Beaver Falls , United States
Area served	United States, overseas
Key people	Samuel Mason (director and superintendent), Henry Reeves (president), John Reeves (secretary and treasurer)
Products	Steel cutlery including razors, pocketknives, table knives, carving knives, forks, scissors, shears
Number of employees	300
Parent	Harmony Society

Beaver Falls Cutlery Company, located in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, was a manufacturer specializing in steel cutlery, including razors and pocketknives. Established in 1866 under the name Binns & Mason by Edward Binns and Samuel Mason—both seasoned cutlers from Sheffield, England—the enterprise initially focused on crafting pocketknives in Rochester, Pennsylvania. The firm briefly operated as The Pittsburgh Cutlery Company before its 1867 acquisition by the Harmony Society, which relocated the business to Beaver Falls and scaled up production significantly. The manufacturing site spanned two acres and employed approximately 300 workers. A labor conflict in 1872 resulted in the employment of up to 225 Chinese laborers. By 1876, the company earned acclaim for creating the "largest knife and fork in the world" showcased at the Centennial Exposition. Operations concluded in 1886.

Foundation

The company was established in 1866 by Edward Binns and Samuel Mason under the name Binns & Mason, with a focus on producing pocketknives in Rochester. Mason, an inventor from Sheffield with a patent for an enhanced iron-handled knife tang (patent 89059), brought skilled steelworkers from his native city to set up manufacturing. Contemporary reports indicated that the initial capital investment reached one million dollars and highlighted the rapid transformation of undeveloped land into a thriving industrial facility. The company’s emblem—a carved American eagle triumphing over a British lion—served as a symbol of its competitive edge against English cutlery makers, reflecting its expanding influence both within the United States and overseas.

Samuel Mason

Samuel Mason, one of the founders, was born around 1812 in Sheffield, West Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to America with his family in 1844 after a transatlantic voyage lasting 105 days, arriving in New York. Mason became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1860 and returned to Sheffield in 1875. His early career in America involved employment with cutlery manufacturers such as Lamson and Goodnow in Massachusetts, indicating his familiarity with large-scale production methods.

From 1866 to 1869, Mason held the position of director at Binns & Mason. During this period, the company recruited experienced workers from Sheffield amidst labor unrest known as the Sheffield Outrages, which featured violent clashes between cutlers and management. Following the Harmony Society’s acquisition, Mason continued as superintendent at Beaver Falls Cutlery Company, where by 1870 his sons occupied important operational roles. His estate was appraised at $5,000 that year.

An outspoken abolitionist, Mason had a son who served in the American Civil War. After returning to Sheffield, he became involved in advocating for trade protectionism and managed the American Shoe Store. However, by 1879 he declared bankruptcy with debts totaling £800 against assets below £100. Information regarding his death is not documented.

Growth

By October 1866, Binns & Mason had been renamed Pittsburgh Cutlery Company due to capital requirements and investment from Pittsburgh financiers. This funding proved inadequate, leading to a merger with a new enterprise formed by the Harmony Society based in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Having acquired Beaver Falls in 1849, the Harmony Society expanded operations further. Henry Reeves assumed the presidency; Samuel Mason remained on the board as director; John Reeves served as secretary and treasurer. In April 1867, production relocated to a two-acre site in Beaver Falls that eventually employed around 300 workers recruited from Sheffield, making it one of the largest cutlery producers of its era.

The factory complex established in 1868 between Second and Third Streets near Seventh Avenue became known as the "cutlery property" as it grew to include table cutlery manufacturing. By early 1868, the company adopted its final name: Beaver Falls Cutlery Company.

Key investors during the 1867 expansion included Pittsburgh figures such as Dr. C.G. Hussey, General Thomas M. Howe, and James W. Brown (who later served as a U.S. Congressman). The Harmony Society acquired majority ownership, transforming it into a joint-stock company with capital stock valued at $400,000 by 1870 under John Reeves’ management. Transitioning from direct manufacturing to investment oversight, Harmony supervised an enterprise employing 300 workers producing approximately 1,200 dozen finished items daily at peak capacity.

In 1876, Samuel Mason emphasized the company's industrial capabilities: it operated three turbine water wheels generating 82 horsepower each alongside one engine rated at 125 horsepower—demonstrating substantial manufacturing scale. He also observed that while America was advancing steel cutlery production, Sheffield still relied on iron components.

Labor Conflict, 1872

By 1872, Harmony had become a profitable enterprise when the predominantly English skilled laborers initiated a strike demanding increased wages. Director John Reeves declined their request and opted to shut down the factory, subsequently hiring 225 Chinese workers from California and New Orleans under five-year contracts. Madam Chow, spouse of Chow Hung and the sole Chinese woman residing in Beaver Falls at that time, is credited with bringing the antique manuscript of Dream of the Red Chamber, which was later found locally in 2019. Reeves undertook extensive travels to enlist Chinese laborers, utilizing contacts such as merchant Ah Chuck and missionary Reverend Dyer, who attested to their diligence and temperance.

The arrival of these Chinese workers incited local antagonism, necessitating intervention by law enforcement and company officials to preserve peace. The workers were accommodated in company-provided housing and bound by contracts that ensured daily wages, meals, and repatriation upon death. Following negotiations with community representatives, management consented to reinstate the striking employees provided they accepted the presence of Chinese laborers; this compromise sought to stabilize production and enhance profitability for the local economy.

Employing Chinese labor significantly lowered monthly payroll expenses from $13,000 to $5,000 and reduced instances of theft. Nonetheless, local hostility escalated into violent acts against Chinese workers, leading to fatalities and burials in a segregated cemetery that was eventually cleared for development. By 1877, most Chinese laborers had departed under company-funded return agreements.

This labor approach mirrored wider migration patterns after the California Gold Rush and the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Beaver Falls emerged as one of the initial eastern destinations for Chinese workers. The resulting tensions contributed to legislative scrutiny culminating in the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

Decline

Between 1877 and 1886, the company underwent a steady downturn, ultimately halting operations due to financial losses. In 1890, the Champlin family purchased its knife manufacturing machinery to found the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company in Little Valley, New York. Subsequently, the original Beaver Falls Cutlery Company premises were occupied by several industrial enterprises including Metric Metal Works, Eclipse Bicycle Company, McCool Tube Company, New York Pittsburgh Company, Shelby Steel Tube Company, and Beaver Falls Car Works.

Tableware and Various Knives

The Beaver Falls Cutlery Company manufactured a wide array of knives and tableware items ranging from elegantly crafted bone-handled knives embossed with an etched "Beaver Falls Cutlery Company" insignia to sturdy wood-handled utensils marked "Beaver Falls Cut. Co." Their 1880s catalog listed offerings such as table knives, carvers, ivory carvers, screwdrivers, cigar knives, butchers' knives, stickers, skinner knives, hunting knives, scissors, shears, and multiple penknife variants featuring iron-lined, redwood, brass-lined, or German silver bolsters. The catalog also included lithographic depictions of the factory alongside their American eagle trademark.

The Beaver Falls Historical Museum preserves sets of ivory-handled table knives from the 1870s–1880s bearing a trademark depicting an American eagle triumphing over a British lion—a motif believed to have hindered the company's acclaim at the 1876 Centennial Exposition. Additionally, pearl- and wooden-handled tableware were offered alongside a pocketknife boasting 365 blades showcased at that same exposition.

Contemporary assessments praised product quality for superior materials and workmanship. Samuel Mason observed that forks were crafted from premium sheet steel hardened through oil treatment with spring tempering; they featured well-polished prongs with handles and bolsters fitting precisely. Knives received similar attention to finish and were tested for resilience by bending blades into a half circle without damage.

Largest carving knife and fork

In 1875, the Sheffield-based firm Joseph Rodgers & Son created what is believed to be the largest carving knife and fork set to honor the visit of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. This impressive pair measured approximately six feet in length and featured handles crafted from polished ivory. Operating from 1682 until 1971, Rodgers’ current possession or location of this extraordinary set remains unknown.

The following year, Beaver Falls Cutlery Company responded by producing an even more colossal "largest knife and fork in the world," investing $1,500 into its creation. The carving knife extended nine feet seven inches long, with a blade spanning ten inches in width—making it eight times larger than a typical set. Its handle was intricately carved from an elephant tusk and adorned with floral and vine designs. Constructed by a combination of Chinese workers and local craftsmen using steel forged nearby, this monumental set was showcased at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia.

The blade of the knife displayed detailed etchings including a silver-plated shark, portraits of William Penn and Governor John F. Hartranft, the Pennsylvania state coat of arms, as well as branding from the company. The accompanying fork featured a patented spring guard embellished with motifs of vines and grape clusters. The etching work was executed by T.C. Moore, while the ivory carving was completed by Edwin Clayton.

Following Beaver Falls Cutlery’s closure in 1887, ownership of the set and related machinery transferred to Cattaraugus Cutlery Company. The collection was relocated between Springville and Little Valley in New York. Around 1972, Philip Champlin, heir to Cattaraugus Cutlery, transported the set to Wisconsin; however, despite efforts to locate it, its current whereabouts remain unknown.

Merchant counter stamps

Two merchant counter stamps bearing Beaver Falls Cut. Co. have been discovered on coins, including a half dollar dated 1875. These stamps measure 27 millimeters in length.

Museum exhibits

The Beaver County Industrial Museum situated in Darlington, Pennsylvania, features early examples of tableware, razors, and pocket knives manufactured by Beaver Falls Cutlery Company and provides associated library materials. Additionally, the Beaver Falls Historical Society Museum, housed within the city’s Carnegie library, holds a more extensive collection of artifacts related to the company.

Patents linked to Beaver Falls Cutlery

• Thomas Skinner, patented 24 December 1867 (US 72553): Enhanced technique for creating designs on metal and ivory surfaces.
• Samuel Mason and Edward Binns, patented 20 April 1869 (US 89059A): Advancement in methods for securing handles to cutlery items.
• R.H. Fisher, patented 16 March 1869 (US 87767): Innovation in handle design for table cutlery.

External links

• American Museum of Cutlery, Cattaraugus, New York – preserves equipment acquired from Beaver Falls Cutlery Company after its shutdown in 1886.