Globe Works, home to Unwin & Rodgers. This engraving was made when it was rented by J. Waters & Co. ©Adrian Middleton
Philip Unwin and James Rodgers founded their partnership in the 1820s and were based in Charles Street. By 1829 though, James Rodgers had died and it was left to Philip Unwin to run the business, which he did, retaining Rodgers’ name. Unwin & Rodgers were another company that expanded with the American demand for cutlery. They were among the earliest companies to make and export Bowie knives, however, they were also well known for other frontier staples such as daggers, dirks, and lock and folding knives.
From the 1830s they produced the ‘Life and Property Preserver’ – a folding multi-bladed dagger with a small percussion pistol built in. By 1849 the company could afford to move into Rockingham Works, Rockingham Street, which had previously been used by George Wostenholm. Later they also occupied part of the Globe Works. They continued to rely on Bowie knives and pistol knives for the bulk of their trade, even when both went out of fashion, so by 1883 the company went bankrupt. Their name and address at Globe Works continued to appear in trade directories until 1909, however, as manufacturers of cutlery.
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