Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

The Saw Doctor

— Historic Little Lon —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

1. The Saw Doctor Marker

Inscription. In 1867 William Henry Blakeley set up shop as a saw doctor in Melbourne, manufacturing saws and blades and importing tools. Hailing from a traditional cutler-trade family in Sheffield UK, Blakeley initially travelled to New Zealand in 1865, where he installed and maintained the world's longest continuous bandsaw. Two years later, Blakeley travelled to Melbourne and established a factory in Little Bourke Street. Through partnerships, he expanded his business and moved to the Little Lonsdale site in 1921.

During the 2017 archaeological excavation of the W.H. Blakeley & Co's factory site, archaeologists uncovered well-preserved grinding wheel pits where cutlery was made in accordance with the Sheffield tradition until the early 1960s. Today his legacy continues as W.H. Blakely Industrial Knives in Clayton, Victoria.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 37° 48.53′ S, 144° 58.267′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is

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on Casselden Place 0.1 kilometers south of Little Lonsdale Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Madame Brussels (here, next to this marker); 17 Casselden Place (here, next to this marker); Bill Proudfoot (here, next to this marker); Sister Esther (here, next to this marker); Digging through Time (here, next to this marker); Ti Cum Ah Chung, 1903 (here, next to this marker); Little Lon People and Professions (a few steps from this marker); Grit, Grime and Noise (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

The Saw Doctor Marker with the picture behind image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

2. The Saw Doctor Marker with the picture behind

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.