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Thanks buddyHandsome trio David
To bad they were not up to snuff. They sure are lookersI picked up this sample for a Hartshead Barlow in Bagpipe Ebony in 2020. It was so badly made, I had to use pliers to get the blade open, and the edge was an awful mess. I picked up 23 knives that day, and they were all pretty lousy
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Jack Black
so generously sent it to me in March of 2023:
Me neither!
Handsome trio David
I picked up this sample for a Hartshead Barlow in Bagpipe Ebony in 2020. It was so badly made, I had to use pliers to get the blade open, and the edge was an awful mess. I picked up 23 knives that day, and they were all pretty lousy
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Thanks David, it was disappointingThanks buddy
To bad they were not up to snuff. They sure are lookers
Nice to see that one ageing gracefully
I'm glad you've enjoyed it so much Paul, and thanks for appreciating the details, and for the kind wordsHere's what my HHB looked like when
And here's what it looks like today after almost 3 years of being carried frequently:
There are two design details about this knife that I love and feel don't get enough attention. My photography skills are poor, and haven't really captured these details, but I'll do my best.
The first one is the handle shape - not completely round like an Opinel, not completely flat like many slipjoints. The back 2/3s of the stag section are round, flattening down to meet the flat bolsters. It's quite distinctive and very ergonomic.
The second detail I want to call to your attention is how the backspring forms a straight line with the spine of the blade up to the elbow in the blade, and the bottom of the handle forms a straight line with the edge (slightly interrupted only by the stovepipe kick). So seen from the side it's two intersecting lines (cut short by the elbow in blade near the tip). This is graceful design.
What an excellent knife. Thanks to Jack for getting these made, and for giving me one of them.
Thanks Tyson, it could have been a good run I think
That's a nice photoOnly one I have is the Ironwood. I kick myself for missing the HHB though.
Great to see you here Ken, I hope you're keeping wellIt’s been a bit…don’t post much anymore but saw this thread and I had to…hope all is well!
Great pics too 
). That said I am super grateful to have this one and it will never leave. Thanks Jack!
Wow, great patina. That could pass for ebony now.I too only have the ironwood and regret passing on the HHB's (at the time I hadn't had this one long and was counting pennies
Here it is new in 2019:
And more recently:
I was looking through some old emails yesterday, and was reminded that there were only 25 of the 2017 Guardians knives made, plus another 5 I ordered so that folks got a better chance of getting horn with interesting character. The other 5 knives were the 'Midnight Specials'. The knives were ordered by only 15 Guardians, and they were VERY inexpensive
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Me neither!
Handsome trio David
I picked up this sample for a Hartshead Barlow in Bagpipe Ebony in 2020. It was so badly made, I had to use pliers to get the blade open, and the edge was an awful mess. I picked up 23 knives that day, and they were all pretty lousy
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Only one I have is the Ironwood. I kick myself for missing the HHB though.
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Something I omitted to mention earlier was the pocket slips for the Hartshead Barlows. I had picked up some top quality pre-WW2 heavy woollen Yorkshire cloth, like a tweed, and commissioned the wife of Leeds Market regular Boring Ray to make 100 slips for us. Part of me wishes I'd got a couple of nice waistcoats made up!
Thanks Paul, and yessir, it does look more like ebony now under most but direct light.
Absolutely, Charlie. A fine knife indeed.
Great pics Michael, that Ironwood has really darkened hasn't it? Sorry you didn't get a Barlow buddyI too only have the ironwood and regret passing on the HHB's (at the time I hadn't had this one long and was counting pennies
Here it is new in 2019:
And more recently:
I think folks assumed they had sold out, but actually they didn't. I think I gave the last 20 away, (though the stag on a few was not up to the standard I was promised) LOL!I had gone back and looked through some of those old emails from you about the Guardians knives to get some info for my posts the other day, and I noticed the same thing. As much work as you put into getting these made, you probably should’ve sold them for twice what you did.
Folks were saying that at the time Barrett I just wanted everyone to get a good, inexpensive Lambsfoot. I actually sold them for less than it cost me to get them made 
Hopeless businessman! 
Yes, really made a mess, as they did of the other knives I picked up at the same timeIt’s a shame that they dropped the ball on those so bad; an Ebony HHB would’ve been fantastic!
Thanks pal, yes, made by Joanne, Boring Ray's missus!Those slips were a really nice addition (and I love that they have a connection to the Leeds Market crew)!
I paid her £100 for them Thanks Charlie, I love your pics
Fine photo Paul
Thanks Jeff, just out in the woodsBeautiful burl background on that last shot, Jack.
