The Cutlers' Company was a trade guild whose members’ produced items with a cutting edge, such as swords, knives and surgical instruments.
In January 2021 the Cutlers’ Company launched its annual design competition to create a set of contemporary cutlery; consisting of a knife, a fork and a spoon. The winning design will be produced by a professional craftsperson / manufacturer and will be scaled up in order to produce a 6-piece dining set.
The Worshipful Company of Cutlers established a new award in 2022 offering help and support to knife makers and bladesmiths with a particular focus on culinary knives.
The origins of the Company are to be found among the cutlers working in the medieval City of London.
As was the case with the other trade guilds of the day, its function was to protect the interests of its members, to attend to their welfare, and to ensure that high standards of quality were maintained...
“A House of the Cutlers”, mentioned in 1285 as being on or near the site of the present Mercers’ Hall, is the earliest recorded regular meeting place of the Cutlers. By the early part of the 15th century the Cutlers were settled in a building in what is now Cloak Lane (by Cannon St. Station).
The charitable objectives of the Company are support for organisations with connection to the Company, support for education and promotion of social cohesion.
Browse our extensive collection, including knives, daggers, swords, surgical instruments, cutlery and medals using our digital browser.
In Common with many Livery Companies, the Cutlers’ Company has formed affiliations with several units of the armed forces and other institutions.