Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[mitch4ging]

You've earned a good lie in Dennis

Thanks, Jack! It's kinda nice...but the honey-do's prevent oversleeping!

That does sound nice! Only 10 more years to retirement.
BTW... You change avatars more t

I look forward to your "hobby " coming to fruition!

I get tired or don't like some of the avatars, and I'd break the internet if I used my photo

I really appreciate your comprehensive posts, Dennis! Fantastic pic (but I'm not sure what I'm looking at besides the first-class knife )

Thank you very much, Gary! I just TRY to keep up with everyone here, such great photos and comments!

Preston commented below about the black ware / pottery technique, that is pretty popular in the Southwest.

Great shot of your knife and the black ware pot. For those who are not familiar with black ware, Maria Martinez, a Navajo potter from the Tewa pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico, developed and originated the style and process.

Thank you very much, Preston!

I'm glad I'm usually broke when I go back home to NM, I could go broke buying more of the black pottery!

Have a great Sunday all.

Umph, great photo, Dwight! Such lovely stag and Damascu!

Cracker Jack again:

A real Beauty Bathing in the sun, Gary

Sorry your still not feeling well, Dennis.
That hat is awesome BTW.

Thank you very much, John! Got a scope in my future, the Cardiologist wants a closer look.

The owner of the feed store is my dad's roping partner. I stole the hat last time I was down there. I'll snag one ore two next time I'm down there!

I thought the same thing yesterday John (though I don't think my '19 is QUITE as shiny as yours!

Such wonderful pattern in the covers, Jack!

Good morning, Guardians!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Mother's Day!

Sunday's best, Vince? Both look like a treat to be wearing. Stetson?

Good Morning Guardians. I’ve kept up with reading the posts and giving likes, but with the breakneck pace, I took a little break. I actually started reading a book again. As of late, I’ve taken a deep dive into English History. My goodness. How fascinating.

Thank you all for letting me be a part of this group.

Here’s the book I’ve started with
View attachment 1127089

Here’s a “new” old M. Hunter&Son Lambfoot. View attachment 1127090

View attachment 1127091

View attachment 1127092

Absolutely love your " previously owned " gems you have Harvey!!

I feel the same way as you on trying to keep up, and also being part of this incredible group!

Sorry to hear that Dennis, you are in my thoughts.

Thank you very much, Dave. We'll get them fixed, one at a time!

Happy weekend, my fellow guardians.

Great shot of the twin to mine, Kevin! Love that horn!

Dennis, Hope you feel better

Thank you Harvey, I do appreciate it!

Emmylou wishes a Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers and I wish the same to all you muthas.
Hope it's a GREAT one
OG
View attachment 1127190

Emmylou is looking terrific, OG!

Thank you Dennis, like yours, there are so many great photos in this thread, I wish I had the time to go back and review them all again and again! Thoughts and prayers for you to quickly regain your health

Thank you very kindly, Preston! We'll get there from here eventually!

A little ironwood accompanied me today.

And what a great companion to have with you, great foto!

Participated in the school play this year. It was about Beatrix Potter’s life and stories. Can you guess who I was?

View attachment 1127333

Knife content: carry my AC today with my Seiko.

View attachment 1127332

Don't know the character, but the AC is truly outstanding!!

Grilling some ribs... Lambsfoot helper...

Oh, man! Fantastic looking feed and tools! I hate missing out on that!

Great posts and fantastic knives today! Happy Mother's Day to all.

Quite lovely, Harvey! Great looking file work!

 

[Jack Black]

Is that why they kept kicking me out?
...

You too?!

It was only when I looked at your pic on my phone that I realised it reminded me of this one

Thanks for the compliment Jack! Thanks again for the brief refresher on the history of the Lambsfoot! By the way Jack, I find it very distasteful that someone would post a picture of a modern knife in this thread knowing full well that the word LAMBSFOOT appears absolutely no where in the manufacturers description!


John this is absolutely a beautiful photo my friend!


I’ll say it again! Beautiful!


Thanks Gary!


Love ole Cracker Jack!


It may not be as shiny but it’s still a beauty Jack! Great photo my friend!

I’ve had this ‘19 in my pocket today!

Thanks Ron, yes a shame about that, same knife seemed to be posted all over the place yesterday That's some great-looking Ironwood my friend

Thanks Jack, that rusty background sure makes the '19 look good.

Harvey, that Hunter and Son has so much character! How old is it? Did you order it or find it in person? With the new Guardians come on board and more will be coming. It's going to be nest to impossible to keep up with this thread...but great to look and read though. Especially with you and Jack adding the history lessons!

Wonderfully constructed photo, Kevin, one of your many great shots!

Thanks a lot Preston

A little ironwood accompanied me today.

Good to see you here my friend

Participated in the school play this year. It was about Beatrix Potter’s life and stories. Can you guess who I was?

View attachment 1127333

Knife content: carry my AC today with my Seiko.

View attachment 1127332

Very good Joshua

Grilling some ribs... Lambsfoot helper...

The Lambsfoot is cutting right through them, and they are tasty!

Good to see you're eating well John

Hello Preston. Thank you. It was offered as a “Buy it Now” on the well known Auction site at a ridiculously low price. It was shipped from Australia. I’m a novice when it comes to dating the Lambsfoot. I will say that it’s older than me. Headmaster Jack said he would look into it.

The Hunters liked naming their men Michael(the first was in the 18th Century), and some became Master Cutlers. My best guess is that the knife was made somewhere between late 19th and the first two decades of the 20th century. Of course Jack would point out that names and hallmarks are often acquired from the original owners,
View attachment 1127424

@Dschal That sounds great. An overview is a great place to start.

@JTB_5 You look quite spiffy, Joshua, as does your AC.

JohnDF Both rib and Lambsfoot look tasty, John.

Thanks John.



I couldn't agree with you more GT! Never been so smitten with a knife. Thank you.

It sharpened up quite nicely with little effort Jack. GT hit the nail on the head. These lambs are superb on so many levels. Thank you my friend.

Thanks David. I don't think some folks realize how bad it can get. I am not proud to say this but when I had all I could take and set about eradicating them I stopped counting at 175. I have offered atonement and we coexist peacefully now. Looking forward to seeing the bird table project get underway.

Thanks Ron. I love hearing it!

Thank you Preston. Much appreciated. I really enjoy your pics of Dutch and your training regiment. An my oh my at your elevation no wonder winter is hesitant to let go!

Count me in please

Great posts and fantastic knives today! Happy Mother's Day to all.View attachment 1127440

Sterling research on your Hunter Harvey I am glad you love your DamLamb so much, and that it sharpened up easily. I am really pleased with how well these knives turned out, they were something very different and special, and obviously represented a considerable outlay, but I'm glad we got them. I do think they're spectacular

Thanks, Jack! It's kinda nice...but the honey-do's prevent oversleeping!

Morning Guardians, I'm having to rush a bit this morning as I have a couple of medical appointments today, the first of which is just with the physio about my Tennis Elbow. I hope everyone had a great weekend, and that your week gets off to a good start

 

[Prester John]

Sunday's best, Vince? Both look like a treat to be wearing. Stetson?

Yep. Stetson 6X and Sheffield stag lambsfoot.

 

[JohnDF]

Got a scope in my future, the Cardiologist wants a closer look.

I obviously hope for the best outcome and find a way to get you some relief.

Oh my goodness! Your wonderful image is quite yummy. Bon Appétit!

Yummmmmm

Oh, man! Fantastic looking feed and tools! I hate missing out on that!

Good to see you're eating well John

I have leftovers.

Morning Guardians, I'm having to rush a bit this morning as I have a couple of medical appointments today, the first of which is just with the physio about my Tennis Elbow. I hope everyone had a great weekend, and that your week gets off to a good start

Hope the appointments go well, Jack.
That's a really great picture with the back springs. Was that at Wright's?

 

[tmd_87]

Happy Monday Guardians!

 

[JohnDF]

Good Morning Guardians.
I thought Jack might get a chuckle out of this picture...

 

[Half/Stop]

Thanks Ron, yes a shame about that, same knife seemed to be posted all over the place yesterday That's some great-looking Ironwood my friend

Morning Guardians, I'm having to rush a bit this morning as I have a couple of medical appointments today, the first of which is just with the physio about my Tennis Elbow. I hope everyone had a great weekend, and that your week gets off to a good start

Thanks for the compliment my friend! That's a great shot of your AC Jack. I wonder where you were able to find all of those back springs at!

 

[Half/Stop]

Hope all your appointments go well Jack! Today I'm going Ironwood Bigun! Hope all you Guardians have a great Monday!

 

[pjsjr]

Hello Preston. Thank you. It was offered as a “Buy it Now” on the well known Auction site at a ridiculously low price. It was shipped from Australia. I’m a novice when it comes to dating the Lambsfoot. I will say that it’s older than me. Headmaster Jack said he would look into it.

The Hunters liked naming their men Michael(the first was in the 18th Century), and some became Master Cutlers. My best guess is that the knife was made somewhere between late 19th and the first two decades of the 20th century. Of course Jack would point out that names and hallmarks are often acquired from the original owners,
View attachment 1127424

@Dschal That sounds great. An overview is a great place to start.

@JTB_5 You look quite spiffy, Joshua, as does your AC.

JohnDF Both rib and Lambsfoot look tasty, John.

Thanks for the info, Harvey, glad you got a deal. I'm not on 'the auction' site much, but, know that there are good finds there.

Thank you Preston. Much appreciated. I really enjoy your pics of Dutch and your training regiment. An my oh my at your elevation no wonder winter is hesitant to let go!

Dwight, thanks, Dutch is a great companion. In my area of the High Plains, elevation and climate(semi-arid) play a major role along with being positioned just east of the Rocky Mountains and it's foothills...causes a lot of wind. Cacti and Yucca flourish, but, so do many wonderful wild flowering plants.
What I call Popcorn Cactus is particularly troublesome, for Dutch as well as me. When mowing, small parts break off easily and stick to the tires of the mower and are spread that way. I spent most of yesterday digging and then mowing.
This shows some of my diggings...

The Lambsfoot is cutting right through them, and they are tasty!

That looks so tasty!

I just TRY to keep up with everyone here, such great photos and comments!

Preston commented below about the black ware / pottery technique, that is pretty popular in the Southwest.
Thank you very much, Preston!

Dennis, I love the area and it's art/culture. I have not visited there in sometime, and that needs to change.

Morning Guardians, I'm having to rush a bit this morning as I have a couple of medical appointments today, the first of which is just with the physio about my Tennis Elbow. I hope everyone had a great weekend, and that your week gets off to a good start

Here's hoping all goes well with the medical and gets your week off to a good start. As well as all Guardian's getting their week off to a good start.
Indian Paintbrush and '19 DI Lambsfoot...

 

[JohnDF]

That looks so tasty!

Thanks, PJ. They were mighty tasty.

 

[dc50]

My last post for a few days as we will be going offline until I'm hooked up at the new place

 

[Jack Black]

Here’s a “new” old M. Hunter&Son Lambfoot. View attachment 1127090

View attachment 1127091

View attachment 1127092

The Hunters liked naming their men Michael(the first was in the 18th Century), and some became Master Cutlers. My best guess is that the knife was made somewhere between late 19th and the first two decades of the 20th century. Of course Jack would point out that names and hallmarks are often acquired from the original owners,

I thought it might be useful here to give an explanation about what the terms master cutler and Master Cutler actually mean, and meant historically. The term is sometimes used, usually laughably, by modern cutlery companies, with regard to themselves or their employees, with the implication that it implies some great talent or skill. It does not, a master cutler was simply a self-employed cutler, from which the term ‘Little Mester’ is derived. In Sheffield, the Master Cutler is an annual sobriquet given to some local big-wig by the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire. While they have not had a connection to the cutlery trade for many years, they always existed as a gaffer’s organisation, rather than a guild or trade organisation, and lowly cutlers were not admitted.

M. Hunter & Son were primarily a manufacturer of table cutlery (example shown here: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/one-for-the-mums-dads-grandparents.1192568/), and a factor of other goods. The good Professor Geoff of Tweedale traces the firm’s origins back to Michael Hunter I (1724-1771) a wealthy hardware merchant from Ecclesfield, which is close to Sheffield, but in the neighbouring county of Derbyshire. Having moved to Sheffield around 1760, he sold materials to cutlers in the town. His son, Michael Hunter II (1759-1831) was also a merchant, and involved in a series of partnerships, the last of which was dissolved in 1806, after which he seems to have traded alone. By 1811, he was listed in local trade directories as a table-knife manufacturer, with the firm expanding under his son Michael III (1800-1886) who took over the business after his father’s death in 1831. The firm was then listed at ‘Talbot Works’ on Sheldon Row in the Wicker area of Sheffield, and later in 1852, the year Michael Hunter III became Master Cutler, at ‘Talbot Works’ in nearby Andrew Street. Between 1849 and 1842 though, Hunter was a partner with Edward Gilbee, in Hunter, Son, and Gillbee, but Gillbee died in 1852.

Hunter III does not seem to have run a very happy ship, and had a particularly fractious relationship with his workforce, which apparently numbered more than a hundred in the early 1840’s. There were disputes over wages, contracts, and work practices, and in about 1850, Hunter was the first Sheffield manufacturer to introduce forging by tilt hammer (rather than by hand), with imported American machinery capable of producing a thousand table knife blades per day.

By 1861, Hunter employed 300 men, according to the census that year. He retired a decade later, leaving his son, the fourth Michael Hunter (1821-1898), as sole partner. By this time the company employed 150 men and 50 boys, probably being able to shed some of the workforce through mechanisation, which was not limited to machine forging. Michael Hunter III died in 1886, with an obituary recording a man ‘who had waged incessant war with the trades’ unions’, being ‘rough and blunt in manner’.

Hunter’s marks were the word/picture ‘Bugle’, granted in 1760; ‘Bison’ (picture), with the word ‘FUERTE’, and ‘Llama’ (picture), a mark acquired from Henry Ecroyd & Co. The company advertised a wide range of products, including table and butchers knives, razors, pen and pocket knives, sportsman’s and gardeners’ knives, and hay knives, as well as ice-skates, edge tools, and plated metal goods. However, most of these items would have been made elsewhere in Sheffield, and factored by the company, which seem to have mainly concentrated on manufacturing table cutlery.

Michael Hunter IV also became Master Cutler (1860), As well as Lord Mayor, Alderman, and JP. He died in 1898, after which the fifth Michael Hunter (1857-1926) took over the firm. It became a limited liability company in 1899. He became Master Cutler in 1903.

In the early 1900s, the firm were based in Reed Street, but seem to have been in decline by this point, with the owner perhaps losing interest in favour of enjoying his inherited wealth and country estate. By 1910, their assets had been acquired by Needham, Veall & Tyzack. Hunter’s were liquidated, but their marks were acquired by H.M Slater Ltd (after WWII according to Tweedale).

Hope that's of interest Harvey Would it be possible for you to post up some unfiltered pics of your knife?

 

[JohnDF]

My last post for a few days as we will be going offline until I'm hooked up at the new place
View attachment 1127552

Good luck on the move, Dave.

Hope that's of interest

I found it very interesting. Thanks for that history lesson.

 

[Jack Black]

I obviously hope for the best outcome and find a way to get you some relief.





I have leftovers.

Hope the appointments go well, Jack.
That's a really great picture with the back springs. Was that at Wright's?

Plus one on that

I'd love to take you up on the leftovers my friend

Thanks a lot John, nothing to worry about Yes, the last time I was there, Michael had to take a phonecall, so I thought I'd snap a few pics while I waited

Happy Monday Guardians!
View attachment 1127534

Great pic Taylor

Good Morning Guardians.
I thought Jack might get a chuckle out of this picture...

LOL! Thanks John

Thanks for the compliment my friend! That's a great shot of your AC Jack. I wonder where you were able to find all of those back springs at!

Thanks Ron

Hope all your appointments go well Jack! Today I'm going Ironwood Bigun! Hope all you Guardians have a great Monday!

Thanks pal, that's a great start to the week

Thanks for the info, Harvey, glad you got a deal. I'm not on 'the auction' site much, but, know that there are good finds there.

Dwight, thanks, Dutch is a great companion. In my area of the High Plains, elevation and climate(semi-arid) play a major role along with being positioned just east of the Rocky Mountains and it's foothills...causes a lot of wind. Cacti and Yucca flourish, but, so do many wonderful wild flowering plants.
What I call Popcorn Cactus is particularly troublesome, for Dutch as well as me. When mowing, small parts break off easily and stick to the tires of the mower and are spread that way. I spent most of yesterday digging and then mowing.
This shows some of my diggings...

That looks so tasty!

Dennis, I love the area and it's art/culture. I have not visited there in sometime, and that needs to change.

Here's hoping all goes well with the medical and gets your week off to a good start. As well as all Guardian's getting their week off to a good start.
Indian Paintbrush and '19 DI Lambsfoot...

Great pics Preston, though that cactus looks like a lot of trouble my friend

My last post for a few days as we will be going offline until I'm hooked up at the new place
View attachment 1127552

Safe travels and a happy move Dave

 

[Jack Black]

I found it very interesting. Thanks for that history lesson.

Thanks John, I think I have some more on this company somewhere

 

[JohnDF]

Thanks John, I think I have some more on this company somewhere

They didn't sound like the nicest of people.

 

[Jack Black]

They didn't sound like the nicest of people.

No, far from it I think John, a very privileged dynasty. It's of note, that in Sheffield, the Cutler's Hall was known among the populace as 'Bang-beggar's Hall', and later as 'Cut-throats Hall'! With the Master Cutler being the cut-throat in chief!

 

[cigarrodog]

I thought it might be useful here to give an explanation about what the terms master cutler and Master Cutler actually mean, and meant historically. The term is sometimes used, usually laughably, by modern cutlery companies, with regard to themselves or their employees, with the implication that it implies some great talent or skill. It does not, a master cutler was simply a self-employed cutler, from which the term ‘Little Mester’ is derived. In Sheffield, the Master Cutler is an annual sobriquet given to some local big-wig by the Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire. While they have not had a connection to the cutlery trade for many years, they always existed as a gaffer’s organisation, rather than a guild or trade organisation, and lowly cutlers were not admitted.

M. Hunter & Son were primarily a manufacturer of table cutlery (example shown here: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/one-for-the-mums-dads-grandparents.1192568/), and a factor of other goods. The good Professor Geoff of Tweedale traces the firm’s origins back to Michael Hunter I (1724-1771) a wealthy hardware merchant from Ecclesfield, which is close to Sheffield, but in the neighbouring county of Derbyshire. Having moved to Sheffield around 1760, he sold materials to cutlers in the town. His son, Michael Hunter II (1759-1831) was also a merchant, and involved in a series of partnerships, the last of which was dissolved in 1806, after which he seems to have traded alone. By 1811, he was listed in local trade directories as a table-knife manufacturer, with the firm expanding under his son Michael III (1800-1886) who took over the business after his father’s death in 1831. The firm was then listed at ‘Talbot Works’ on Sheldon Row in the Wicker area of Sheffield, and later in 1852, the year Michael Hunter III became Master Cutler, at ‘Talbot Works’ in nearby Andrew Street. Between 1849 and 1842 though, Hunter was a partner with Edward Gilbee, in Hunter, Son, and Gillbee, but Gillbee died in 1852.

Hunter III does not seem to have run a very happy ship, and had a particularly fractious relationship with his workforce, which apparently numbered more than a hundred in the early 1840’s. There were disputes over wages, contracts, and work practices, and in about 1850, Hunter was the first Sheffield manufacturer to introduce forging by tilt hammer (rather than by hand), with imported American machinery capable of producing a thousand table knife blades per day.

By 1861, Hunter employed 300 men, according to the census that year. He retired a decade later, leaving his son, the fourth Michael Hunter (1821-1898), as sole partner. By this time the company employed 150 men and 50 boys, probably being able to shed some of the workforce through mechanisation, which was not limited to machine forging. Michael Hunter III died in 1886, with an obituary recording a man ‘who had waged incessant war with the trades’ unions’, being ‘rough and blunt in manner’.

Hunter’s marks were the word/picture ‘Bugle’, granted in 1760; ‘Bison’ (picture), with the word ‘FUERTE’, and ‘Llama’ (picture), a mark acquired from Henry Ecroyd & Co. The company advertised a wide range of products, including table and butchers knives, razors, pen and pocket knives, sportsman’s and gardeners’ knives, and hay knives, as well as ice-skates, edge tools, and plated metal goods. However, most of these items would have been made elsewhere in Sheffield, and factored by the company, which seem to have mainly concentrated on manufacturing table knife cutlery.

Michael Hunter IV also became Master Cutler (1860), As well as Lord Mayor, Alderman, and JP. He died in 1898, after which the fifth Michael Hunter (1857-1926) took over the firm. It became a limited liability company in 1899. He became Master Cutler in 1903.

In the early 1900s, the firm were based in Reed Street, but seem to have been in decline by this point, with the owner perhaps losing interest in favour of enjoying his inherited wealth and country estate. By 1910, their assets had been acquired by Needham, Veall & Tyzack. Hunter’s were liquidated, but their marks were acquired by H.M Slater Ltd (after WWII according to Tweedale).

Hope that's of interest Harvey Would it be possible for you to post up some unfiltered pics of your knife?

No. Just kidding. That was massively interesting. Each time you explicate, we all benefit. I appreciate not only the time involved, but currently feel guilty knowing of your connection woes. Much appreciation for your effort.

At this point, you’ve probably finished with your medical visits. I hope the therapy gave you some relief. Cool image of your Damascus Lambsfoot swimming in a sea of back-springs.

I will take those unfiltered images this p.m. I’m a bit self-conscious about my use of filters, mainly because there are those who look down their noses at the use of filters. So here is my boring justification. As a former photographer(B&W photojournalist), the use of filters were forbidden. Decades later, missing photography, I created a self-challenge, consisting of only using the iPhone, shooting primarily in color, and having fun with post-processing. I try to keep it real, but enhance with filters, like clarify, sharpening, color saturation, etc. The final challenge was(is) to create my own interpretation of the old glamor Hollywood pinups. One example would be a WW2 Betty Grable in her bathing suit. That’s my vision, but the knives are my pinup glamour subjects. Thank you for reading(slogging).

 

[cigarrodog]

Thank you very much, John! Got a scope in my future, the Cardiologist wants a closer look.
Absolutely love your " previously owned " gems you have Harvey!!
I feel the same way as you on trying to keep up, and also being part of this incredible group!
Thank you Harvey, I do appreciate it!

Thank you Dennis. Always wishing the best for you.

 

[Jack Black]

No. Just kidding. That was massively interesting. Each time you explicate, we all benefit. I appreciate not only the time involved, but currently feel guilty knowing of your connection woes. Much appreciation for your effort.

At this point, you’ve probably finished with your medical visits. I hope the therapy gave you some relief. Cool image of your Damascus Lambsfoot swimming in a sea of back-springs.

I will take those unfiltered images this p.m. I’m a bit self-conscious about my use of filters, mainly because there are those who look down their noses at the use of filters. So here is my boring justification. As a former photographer(B&W photojournalist), the use of filters were forbidden. Decades later, missing photography, I created a self-challenge, consisting of only using the iPhone, shooting primarily in color, and having fun with post-processing. I try to keep it real, but enhance with filters, like clarify, sharpening, color saturation, etc. The final challenge was(is) to create my own interpretation of the old glamor Hollywood pinups. One example would be a WW2 Betty Grable in her bathing suit. That’s my vision, but the knives are my pinup glamour subjects. Thank you for reading(slogging).

I think your photos look great Harvey, but there's photos for looking at, and photos for learning from It would help to see as much of the knife as possible, from all angles, preferably on a white background By the way, does it have a half-stop?