Thanks Jack, no worries my friend.
Yes I agree - the Sambar stag on all these Hartsheads is very fine, but I’m grateful to have scored an exceptionally nice one. The mark side has bold, deep linear grooves which remind me of GEC’s Horsecut Bone jigging pattern. The pile side has some great knobbly high spots, which will get even better over time with some pocket wear.
I lucked out, as being a southpaw, I like knives which have a good pile side, and this one certainly delivered in that respect. Another thing I look for on stag covers is some lighter spots, which will develop that lovely yellow buttery colour over time, and this one has that too.
I’m still happily CFing and CEing this knife, every spare minute!
All the time, money, effort and accumulated knowledge and wisdom you put into designing and getting these made is very much appreciated.
Cheers David.
Yes, I’m not really a knife collector, I just like examining and using historical working knives from different parts of the world, and trying to gain an understanding of different patterns and steels and hand tool evolution. The Lambsfoot knife must easily be the most represented single pattern in my ‘accumulation of edged tools’.
Yes it’s winter here mate - not winter as you know it of course, and certainly nothing like Dave and Will must take for granted.
I was hunting up around the 1000-1200 metre (3300-4000’) line in the High Country. A dusting of snow makes tracking sign much easier, of course. This was the only hunt I recall being on, that I’ve seen no fresh deer sign at all, despite that area usually being well populated with Sambar.
My hunting partner and I kept covering more ground, and finally came across some other hunters who told us that the area had had a hound crew working it over heavily all week.
Never mind, it’s always a pleasure just to be out in the bush at dawn, and the campfire conversation and cameraderie is always something to look forward to as well.
But that’s part of the gamble of hunting public land. It’ll be back to private property next time, for sure.
Congratulations Barry! And I’ve been admiring all those excellent photos you’ve been posting lately.
Well said mate and good on ya for supporting the forum. The Porch is truly a special place on the net, and the Guardians is a great corner of the Porch.
so I went downstairs to sit in the Sun and took a few Cell phone shots....
I just had to post something real quick just because.
. After Tahoe on the way home, we stopped by Echo lake to take in the scenery. What a beautiful alpine lake!
But since you don't want to have that conversation privately, (or accept a refund), I hope we don't have to have it here 
It appears the spring is thicker than the tang. (See below) Do any of you have a DIY remedy for this issue?
