The Tales of Future Jack - Part II
August 1, 2047, Yorkshire, England
"Happy Yorkshire Day, Jack!" the young American bartender said to the old man as he seated himself at his favorite spot.
"Thank you, Gwen. I'm delighted that you know what day it is today."
"It's kinda hard to miss when you tend bar in a Yorkshire Pub. Earlier today I heard some folks discussing the Declaration of Integrity. I asked what they were talking about and they filled me in on the day and its history.
"I'm surprised that it has only been celebrated since 1975. I mean, that's a long time ago, but having a Yorkshire Day seems like something that would have always been the case."
"Well, better late than never, I suppose. I remember the first..."
His revelry was interrupted by a gaggle of people who came in and easily overflowed the largest available table. One of them headed to the bar and placed their order.
"Good afternoon, miss. We'd like to have Gin Cucumber Coolers for the lot of us. Uh, that'd be eight, I think."
"You bet. Have a seat and I'll have them over to you."
As the patron returned to his friends, the bartender leaned over to Jack and said in a low voice, "I swear, this group seems to like to order the most unusual drinks. I sometimes wonder if they are just trying to stump me. Fortunately, this one's easy and we just got some cucumbers in along with a load of veg for the kitchen. I'll be right back."
She returned with a plump, dark green cucumber, still dripping a bit from the quick wash she'd given it.
"Say, Jack.... Do you have your knife with you? Would you mind?" she said with a smile as she pushed the cucumber and a cutting board his way without waiting for his reply. Of course he had his knife.
"It'd be my pleasure" said the man as Gwen started about fetching glassware, ice, and gin. When she was ready for the cucumbers, she turned to the man and, as she'd expected, the cutting board in front of him was full of neatly arranged cucumber slices. He was wiping his knife clean.
"Say, Jack, I promised you a pint for your help last time. And I'd still love to learn about that knife of yours. Would you care for that pint now, or would you perhaps like one of these Cucumber Gin Coolers? I've got extra cucumber slices..."
"I've never been a fan of gin and I don't think the cucumber will change that." he said with a wink and smile. "But, I'd gladly take you up on a pint of bitter. And, I'd be delighted to tell you anything you want to know about my lambsfoot knife."
"Great! Just give me a second while I deliver these drinks...."
After a few minutes she returned.
"Sorry. They were a chatty bunch. But, at least now I've heard the story of Yorkshire Day twice. But, here's your pint.
"So. About that lambsfoot of yours.... Hey, that's a different one than you had the other day, isn't it?"
"Correct! This one has rosewood covers. The other's were made from a special grade of water buffalo horn. I got lucky on that batch and everyone of them was unique and splendid in its own way. But, back to lambsfoot knives. This one is textbook example of the Sheffield Real Lambsfoot pattern."
"Pattern?"
"Oh, yes, sorry. 'Pattern' just means style of knife. It's a term we pocketknife aficionados use to describe the shape of the handle and the complement of blades that are in it."
"This one has what is usually called a swayback handle and, of course, a lambsfoot blade. That combination is quintessential Sheffield Real Lambsfoot. In fact, you'll remember that the one I had last time even had 'REAL LAMB FOOT' etched on the blade.
"This combination has great ergonomics. The handle is comfortable in your hand whether you are making push cuts away from yourself or careful paring cuts towards you. The edge of the blade is parallel to the center axis of the handle, which is both pleasing to the eye and extremely versatile.
"This is the knife of the Yorkshire working person. There was a time when most farmers around here would have sworn by one. It's tough, it'll tackle pretty much any job you give it, and, at least to me, it's very pleasing to look at and turn over in your hand."
She was quiet for a moment while all of that sunk in.
"Thanks. Now that you've pointed out some of its strengths, I'm starting to understand its appeal. I'm a big fan of unassuming tools that excel at myriad tasks."
"Yes, exactly. This is one of those patterns that people often overlook, but, once they have tried one, are hooked for life."
"I can believe it. Hey, a question for you. You said it's a lambsfoot pattern, but the blade is also called a lambsfoot. Are there other patterns that have a lambsfoot blade?"
"Great question! The short answer is 'yes'. I'm afraid the long answer will have to wait: I see the cucumber cooler fans are getting restless over there. I need to be heading out anyway."
"Okay, until next time then. I promise I won't make you work three times in a row."
"Don't worry, I'm always prepared for work" he said with a smile and slight bow. With that he left and she headed to the large table to see what they'd order next.
) with my "catch-up post". In an effort to catch up in a finite amount of time, I'll mostly write only when written to in what follows.
) To enter please make a Yorkshire Day post on August 1st (midnight to midnight, Yorkshire time). You can include photos, a joke, whatever you like, Lambsfoot content is essential though. I'll be grateful for all your posts, but will choose what I think are the best ones, and the names of the authors will go into my flat-cap, and be drawn on Friday August 2nd. ...
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