Sorby was a member of Robert Sorby and Sons, the family firm of edge tool manufacturers based in Sheffield. On his father's death in 1885, Sorby and his brother, Robert Arthur Sorby, took control of the company although Robert died in 1896. Sorby left the family business in 1906 and was the last member of the family to be actively involved with the business. Since that time the firm has changed hands several times but still retains the "Robert Sorby" name and is noted as a maker of high end chisels and woodworking tools.
