Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[Jack Black]

Got this old Alfred Blackwell recently. Sheffield stamp but no England on the stamp. Does that indicate it's pre 1891? Blade is tight with no wobble and strong snaps with a half stop. It looks lambsfoot to me, if Jack shoots it down I'll take my lashing ! Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!

Really nice find Rob That's in much better shape than my own Alfred Blackwell (below - and check out Greg's index for some history)!



It could be pre-1891, but the absence of the 'England' mark alone simply means that it was probably not intended for export to the US after that date

I think I'll leave that one out. Far be it from me to separate the full-wits from the half-wits.

Since a new year is coming up, i've decided to start carrying a new knife for the very first time for the occasion.

Getting sharpened up now - yes, yes, i know i should freehand it - but this just does a better job than I can.

Very nice indeed

 

[rockman0]

Thanks Jack, I appreciate the clarification on the absence of "England" on the stamp. Here's another picture. Every post is better with a picture

 

[WhittlinAway]

Since a new year is coming up, i've decided to start carrying a new knife for the very first time for the occasion.

Getting sharpened up now - yes, yes, i know i should freehand it - but this just does a better job than I can.

A beautiful knife with which to ring in the new year!

Don’t worry about the sharpener. I used my KME on my Wright buffalo lambsfoot and my Guardians edition one will be getting an acute edge courtesy of it when I make the time.

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks Jack, I appreciate the clarification on the absence of "England" on the stamp. Here's another picture. Every post is better with a picture

It certainly is my friend, and that is a beautiful knife Here is another pic of my Blackwell

A beautiful knife with which to ring in the new year!

Don’t worry about the sharpener. I used my KME on my Wright buffalo lambsfoot and my Guardians edition one will be getting an acute edge courtesy of it when I make the time.

I put away all my sharpening gear for Christmas, but I think I might get it out again for New Year, and try out the strops Chin very kindly sent me a while back. My Guardians Lambsfoot needs some sharpening, as well as this straight Sambar model

 

[Cutfinger]

@Bartleby I worked the blade dry at first, then with oil, bent the liner/bolster so the bolsters are parallel, pinched the bolsters and peined the pivot pin. I also filed the back spring which had been sitting proud of the liners. The pen blade is now opening with 25 percent more force than is needed to open the main blade, and both are smooth.

Jack Black I use the pen secondary sharpened with a convex bevel to 'clean up' mouldings after cutting them with a coping saw, when installing: baseboard, crown moulding, or even quarter round using cope joints. The pen secondary is extremely useful for me in my work as a carpenter.

Sharpening a carpenter's pencil can dull a knife a lot more than you might think. Clay mixed in with the wax and graphite to control the hardness of the pencil, damages the somewhat brittle cutting edge of a blade made of 1095 pretty quickly. I have noticed the cutting edges of C70 knife blades stand up better. Apparently the C70 can never get as sharp as 1095, but the edge itself is tougher.

This is the best work knife I've ever had, by a mile!

Michael

 

[Jack Black]

View attachment 821338 View attachment 821339 @Bartleby I worked the blade dry at first, then with oil, bent the liner/bolster so the bolsters are parallel, pinched the bolsters and peined the pivot pin. I also filed the back spring which had been sitting proud of the liners. The pen blade is now opening with 25 percent more force than is needed to open the main blade, and both are smooth.

Jack Black I use the pen secondary sharpened with a convex bevel to 'clean up' mouldings after cutting them with a coping saw, when installing: baseboard, crown moulding, or even quarter round using cope joints. The pen secondary is extremely useful for me in my work as a carpenter.

Sharpening a carpenter's pencil can dull a knife a lot more than you might think. Clay mixed in with the wax and graphite to control the hardness of the pencil, damages the somewhat brittle cutting edge of a blade made of 1095 pretty quickly. I have noticed the cutting edges of C70 knife blades stand up better. Apparently the C70 can never get as sharp as 1095, but the edge itself is tougher.

This is the best work knife I've ever had, by a mile!

Michael

Thank you for explaining Michael, excellent post, I love to hear the details of how people use their knives It sounds as if you have had to put a good deal of work into your Lambsfoot, but that's quite an accolade my friend

Have any of our other Guardians any experience of the 2-blade models they might want to share? Also, how do you find the C70 steel, that's an interesting point Michael makes I think. I've thought quite a lot about asking Wright's if they would do a run with an 'upgraded' steel and hardening. This would obviously cost quite a bit more, and maybe I'm thinking about something unnecessary, and related to the sometimes obsessive nature of our hobby. The C70 steel gets sharp and holds an edge, in use I can't fault it. There are other steels I prefer, but perhaps I am just being a knife snob?

 

[Jack Black]

I'm carrying my ebony Lambsfoot for New Year's Eve, well for now at least, it's only just after 9.00am here!



It's been absolutely fantastic to see the progress of the Lambsfoot pattern during 2017, and hopefully we can spread the love even more in 2018 Hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve, and a very happy New Year

Jack

 

[Leslie Tomville]

Thank you for explaining Michael, excellent post, I love to hear the details of how people use their knives It sounds as if you have had to put a good deal of work into your Lambsfoot, but that's quite an accolade my friend

Have any of our other Guardians any experience of the 2-blade models they might want to share? Also, how do you find the C70 steel, that's an interesting point Michael makes I think. I've thought quite a lot about asking Wright's if they would do a run with an 'upgraded' steel and hardening. This would obviously cost quite a bit more, and maybe I'm thinking about something unnecessary, and related to the sometimes obsessive nature of our hobby. The C70 steel gets sharp and holds an edge, in use I can't fault it. There are other steels I prefer, but perhaps I am just being a knife snob?

Jack, a different steel is not a bad idea in theory, but I had to do quite a bit of hard work on my sharpening stones to get my brand new Wright's regular lambsfoot blade in decent shape. I am not sure that I would want a steel that is harder to sharpen. I would rather pay for better fit and finish and different materials. Have you seen the incredible Desert Ironwood handles on the new GEC 78, DLT SFO? MY wish for the New Year is that cover on a Wright Lambsfoot with brass bolsters and a pruner handle. Of course, I am on board for whatever you come up with. Thanks once again for the introduction to this unique knife and its history.

Happy New Year to everyone!

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, a different steel is not a bad idea in theory, but I had to do quite a bit of hard work on my sharpening stones to get my brand new Wright's regular lambsfoot blade in decent shape. I am not sure that I would want a steel that is harder to sharpen. I would rather pay for better fit and finish and different materials. Have you seen the incredible Desert Ironwood handles on the new GEC 78, DLT SFO? MY wish for the New Year is that cover on a Wright Lambsfoot with brass bolsters and a pruner handle. Of course, I am on board for whatever you come up with. Thanks once again for the introduction to this unique knife and its history.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Point taken my friend, but I would hope to combine better steel and HT with a decent factory edge. Personally I don't find Wright's C70 any easier to sharpen than 1095, rather they seem about the same. I'd also ask you to reserve judgement on Wright's fit and finish. I'm not sure how many of their knives you have to date, but there seems to be a lot of old stock being sold by online dealers, and even 'seconds' being passed off as Grade 1 knives. Having bought a few 'seconds' myself from Wright's, the flaws were very minor and entirely cosmetic, and I have certainly seen worse examples for sale.

Hope you have a very Happy New Year

 

[Half/Stop]

I'd like to wish all of you Guardians near and far a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

 

[Leslie Tomville]

Jack, I will gladly reserve judgment until I receive my 2018 Guardian Lambsfoot!

I hope every Guardian has a Blessed New Year, and finds 2018 to be their best year ever!

 

[Jack Black]

I'd like to wish all of your Guardians near and far a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Cool pic Ron, Happy New Year my friend I'm just enjoying New Year's Eve with a Lambsfoot and a few tasty beverages

 

[Half/Stop]

Thanks Jack! Happy New Year my friend!

 

[Jack Black]

Jack, I will gladly reserve judgment until I receive my 2018 Guardian Lambsfoot!

I hope every Guardian has a Blessed New Year, and finds 2018 to be their best year ever!

LOL! Sorry Leslie, I missed this post before

Happy New Year Guardians Figured I'd let off some fireworks!

 

[strokednbored]

Happy New Year all.

 

[gonebad395]

Happy New Year Guardians! Working all weekend and it’s cold out. Stay warm and safe and enjoy the holiday.

 

[r8shell]

Patina on parade!

Happy New Year!!!

 

[5K Qs]

... Hope everyone has a great New Year's Eve, and a very happy New Year

Jack

I'd like to wish all of you Guardians near and far a Happy and Prosperous New Year! ...

...
I hope every Guardian has a Blessed New Year, and finds 2018 to be their best year ever!

Happy New Year all.
...

Happy New Year Guardians! Working all weekend and it’s cold out. Stay warm and safe and enjoy the holiday....

I want to echo Jack, Ron, Leslie, strokednbored, and Keith (oops, and r8shell) in wishing a Happy New Year to all of the Guardians of the Lambsfoot!

I welcomed in New Year's Eve last night (until 1am this morning), so I won't actually be staying up to greet the start of 2018. But my lambsfoot knives and some lambs have gathered on my kitchen counter to celebrate, and you can see that some of the sheep have bells 'round their necks to ring in the New Year!!

See you all next year!

- GT

 

[WhittlinAway]

Patina on parade!
View attachment 821772
Happy New Year!!!

Ooooh. Practically perfect patina on parade. If that’s not motivation for me to get my Guardians Edition Lambsfoot sharpened up and put to proper use, I don’t know what is.

Happy New Year to you, too, and to all the other Guardians!

 

[Jack Black]

Happy New Year Guardians! Working all weekend and it’s cold out. Stay warm and safe and enjoy the holiday.

Good to see you here Keith, fantastic pic Hope you'll be getting some time off work soon my friend

Patina on parade!
View attachment 821772
Happy New Year!!!

Looking good Rachel

I want to echo Jack, Ron, Leslie, strokednbored, and Keith (oops, and r8shell) in wishing a Happy New Year to all of the Guardians of the Lambsfoot!

I welcomed in New Year's Eve last night (until 1am this morning), so I won't actually be staying up to greet the start of 2018. But my lambsfoot knives and some lambs have gathered on my kitchen counter to celebrate, and you can see that some of the sheep have bells 'round their necks to ring in the New Year!!

See you all next year!

- GT

Looks like a great party GT!

Happy New Year Guardians!