Charles Pickslay to Faraday   16 November 1826

Sir,

We continue our experiments with the Alloys, much to our own satisfaction but greatly to the annoyance of some of our Neighbours, who wish to avail themselves of your important discoveries, but have not the spirit to incur the Necessary expence. I enclose you a Newspaper, in which you will observe, an Attack upon our Peruvian Steel. We must however admit the writer has cause from the conduct of some other Manufacturers to draw the inference he has done.

I send you a Razor, marked “Silver Steel,” it is made of the commonest steel that can be produced. The person who forged it, informs us, he make a great quantity of the same quality, all marked “Silver Steel”. We therefore deem it prudent, to keep the Alloys we use secret for should we publish them, the same person who mark “Silver Steel” on such spurious articles as the Blade sent, would not hesitate to assert they used the same Alloys as we did, and thus bring it into disrepute.

At the same time we shall be happy to give you confidentially any information you may wish but for the Reason stated, you will agree with us it is not desirable to make it public, we beg your acceptance of a pair of Peruvian Steel Scissors that you may judge of the polish it will receive. The Grinders were very much prejudiced against it, but now admit it bears a finer colour, than any other that comes into their hands.

I remain | Sir, | most respectfully | your obedient humble servant | Chas Pickslay

Sheffield Nov 16. 1826