Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[donn]

Blind-baking is when you bake the pie-crust a bit first, prior to adding overly moist ingredients. It helps to stop the inner of the pie becoming soggy before it can bake. Of course that might not be what you want

Cheers Jack, I didn't know that. Then no, I didn't blind bake the pastry.
Lovely looking lambsfoot.

The BF Search function indicates that I haven't posted in the Guardians thread for 3 weeks!
There have been times in the past when circumstances kept me from posting for several days, but I'm typically very good about at least keeping up with the thread by faithfully reading all the posts even when I'm not posting myself. But this time, even my reading of the thread has been fitful, faithless, and feckless! (I did notice that @Modoc ED is now tubeless, so I rejoice with him at that development! )

The reason for my absence has been the unexpected amount of time I've spent on the one course I'm teaching this semester. The move to online teaching has been a "new trick" that this "old dog" has struggled to learn! Instead of spending less than an hour each day prepping for a single 50-minute class I've taught dozens of times in the past, I'm now typically spending 4+ hours per day on prep (and another hour for the class meeting itself). I also spend a couple of hours per day walking to relieve stress. So I seem to have much less discretionary time available for BF now than I did when I was working full-time! But my last class of the semester was Thursday, final exam is tomorrow, and I hope to finish the grading before the end of the day on Wednesday.

Anyway, my only attempt at "catching up" will be to post the lambsfoot knives I've carried the past 3 weeks.
Since last Monday, I've been carrying Cracker Jack, my Ashley's Choice lambsfoot:
View attachment 1341768

The week prior to that, Black Jack, my 2018 ebony Guardians lambsfoot, was in my pocket:
View attachment 1341769

And the last week of April I carried Valley Jack, my 2019 desert ironwood Guardians lambsfoot:
View attachment 1341770

- GT

I was wondering where you'd got to GT. Good to hear your well and keeping a fine rotation going there.

Lunch today.

Hope your all having a nice Sunday.

 

[Jack Black]

Hope it find its way into your pocket more often. It's a beauty.

Good Morning Guardians
It's been a pretty relaxing weekend so far.
Just lounging around the house, spending time with my wife and kids.

Thanks a lot John, nice pic, and it sounds like you're having a good day

Thanks to Jack's reminder... Sunday Sausage Sammich.

Yum! Great stuff! I hope you enjoyed it

Sweet looking knife but then I do love Damascus. No sausage sandwich this morning Out of bread until grocery pickup this afternoon. Going with pancakes and sausage instead even though they are not ready yet.

Thanks Les, pancakes and sausage sounds good Your Lambsfoot is looking fine as wine

The BF Search function indicates that I haven't posted in the Guardians thread for 3 weeks!
There have been times in the past when circumstances kept me from posting for several days, but I'm typically very good about at least keeping up with the thread by faithfully reading all the posts even when I'm not posting myself. But this time, even my reading of the thread has been fitful, faithless, and feckless! (I did notice that @Modoc ED is now tubeless, so I rejoice with him at that development! )

The reason for my absence has been the unexpected amount of time I've spent on the one course I'm teaching this semester. The move to online teaching has been a "new trick" that this "old dog" has struggled to learn! Instead of spending less than an hour each day prepping for a single 50-minute class I've taught dozens of times in the past, I'm now typically spending 4+ hours per day on prep (and another hour for the class meeting itself). I also spend a couple of hours per day walking to relieve stress. So I seem to have much less discretionary time available for BF now than I did when I was working full-time! But my last class of the semester was Thursday, final exam is tomorrow, and I hope to finish the grading before the end of the day on Wednesday.

Anyway, my only attempt at "catching up" will be to post the lambsfoot knives I've carried the past 3 weeks.
Since last Monday, I've been carrying Cracker Jack, my Ashley's Choice lambsfoot:
View attachment 1341768

The week prior to that, Black Jack, my 2018 ebony Guardians lambsfoot, was in my pocket:
View attachment 1341769

And the last week of April I carried Valley Jack, my 2019 desert ironwood Guardians lambsfoot:
View attachment 1341770

- GT

I think they've asked a lot of teachers, few of whom will ever have been trained to work like this. Here, they talking about them teaching from home like they're all sat in their skivvies watching daytime TV, rather than doing extra work It's good to see you here GT, and seeing those three together is almost a sensory overload!

When I step out my back door as the sun rises, if I look slightly to my left over the row of houses behind us, I see this church just across the street (about 100 paces from my back door):
View attachment 1341807

Right in front of the church is this little "library":
View attachment 1341809
It's not one of the official "chartered" Little Free Libraries so commonly seen; instead, it has a plaque attached that states that the "book box" is a memorial to a deceased former pastor of the church. Here's my Valley Jack on the steps of the "church", followed by a close-up (I like the stained glass):
View attachment 1341811
View attachment 1341812

I've located a couple dozen of these types of libraries in my daily walks around the "expanded neighborhood", and hope to continue posting a series of lambsfoot pics taken at these little libraries. This one is the closest to me; I think the farthest one on my list is almost 3 miles from where I live.

- GT

VERY cool Gary

That’s Jack! It’s taking a lot longer to demo and rebuild than it took me the first time I built it in July 1978! That’s a beautiful ironwood and Damascus my friend!

Thanks pal

Guardians 2019 SFO Ironwood by Jack Black

When New

Used a Bit

I like the way the Ironwood has darkened from the oils and sweat of my hands.

Nice Ed

Cheers Jack, I didn't know that. Then no, I didn't blind bake the pastry.
Lovely looking lambsfoot.



I was wondering where you'd got to GT. Good to hear your well and keeping a fine rotation going there.

Lunch today.

Hope your all having a nice Sunday.

Thanks David, that looks like a great lunch When I lived in Sheffield, at Christmas, I used to buy a large family-size pork pie from a butcher in Bakewell, which had large chunks of prk like that. They were expensive, but a real treat

I don't even want to talk about the day I've had today Getting locked out of the house was actually the least of it Anyway...

Just had haggis, neeps & tatties - Wolf Blass Yellow Label on the side (Henderson's Orange Label on the other side! ). Enjoy the rest of your Sunday Guardians

 

[JohnDF]

sounds like you're having a good day

I hope you enjoyed it

Thank you, Jack. You know I did.

 

[mitch4ging]

Thanks! I have a Green Mountain smoker. It has put my propane grill to bed. LOL! Nice garden!

Nice! I'm right there with you!

We also have a raised bed with tomatoes, and some squash, probably start some potatoes as well.

Hope you had a very Happy Birthday Dennis, many happy returns my friend Looks like a nice, cosy set-up there, and your '19 is looking swell

Thank you much, Jack. It is a relaxing spot, and I enjoy a fire whenever possible.
Love the '19, it's a charmer for sure!

Great Dennis, I didn't even know about that film. I've just looked it up and looks like one I'd enjoy.

It's a great movie, the more you drink the better chance you'll have to survive!

That's looks like a homely place there. But you just got me wondering though what sort of patina hand gel would form.

Thanks, it's nice to sit down with friends and throw something on the grill.
Not sure about the gel...but at least it'll be Corona free!

I got sort of half blown off my feet in a terrorist bombing back in the 90's.

That's so not cool! I had to go through an antiterrorist driving course in Germany, and just missed an attack at the Commissary in Frankfurt. Got back to the states, and the bombing at the Murrah building by Timothy McVeigh rattled our shop doors, immediately deployed our command post there, and worked there for the whole event. Still don't fully understand it.

It looks like you’re getting things growing. I’m glad y’all are able to enjoy your outside areas. Be safe!

Thanks, Ron! Thank goodness my wife has a green thumb, I'd kill cactus!
Enjoy the area as much as possible between severe weather/tornado warnings and heat/humidity! Hope this is a quiet year for tornadoes...

I've never seen that one, looks good. Kind of an Irish version of "Tremors" ?

Happy belated birthday!

Thanks, Rachel. They sure are coming in faster these days.

It is, except the monsters are from outer space and come from the water!

This SFO Damascus with Ironwood is most certainly a “Feel Good Knife”! Thanks for that Jack!

A real beauty! Love those DamLambs!

I use my pellet grill almost exclusively too.
I still use my gas grill for burgers and dogs... or to put a sear on a steak.

We have the Traeger, it's pretty small, but perfect for Kim and I burgers or whatever, then we have the larger charcoal grill for steaks or if we have company.

That looks like a great retreat space, Dennis.
I think I see a hot tub off in the corner too.

It is! I need to restain the wood, but it's a great thing to soak the bones in, until the Margaritas are gone!

Dang terrorists! Glad you weren’t hurt badly in the explosion.

I remember that one in your area! Hate you were injured in it! Did they finally figure the who's and why's on it?

Good Afternoon Guardians.

Just perfect, Harvey!! You do have an eye!

Taking my HartsHead for a ride today!!

Looking good, Charlie!
I need to find one of the collapsible ones for our camping trailer!

Off to Klamath Falls, Oregon very, very early tomorrow for one of my doctors to give me a look-see. So here's my post for tomorrow AM.

Glad to hear things are looking up, Ed!!

I spent yesterday evening sat round the fire-pit with a pal down the road, plenty of heat from the fire, and I was well wrapped-up. I took a folding chair with me, and it was only when I got home that I realised that I had only had two layers of cloth under my backside, and my legs and lower back were very cold. I put the heating on, and went to bed, but woke up at 5.00am shivering, and no amount of extra bedding seemed to warm me up. I had a couple of hours like that, and was feeling pretty rotten, then I broke out into a cold sweat, which I still have. I've been very careful over the past few weeks, so think it is just a chill, but I may not be here as much as usual today. I'm going to go and take a hot bath. Hope everyone is doing OK, and that you have a good day

Well, that sucks! Hope you're feeling better, Jack!! A hot toddy always seems like a great way to kick the bug!

Good Morning Guardians and Happy Friday.

Great shot, John! Even though it's already Sunday and I'm just now getting to reply!

Good morning Guardians! I hope y’all are all doing well! May the “Eye” be with you!

Well the "Eyes" have it!! An exceptional example, Ron!

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

 

[JohnDF]

it's a great thing to soak the bones in, until the Margaritas are gone!

Lol...

Great shot, John!

Thank you, Dennis.

It took me a while to figure out what the pine cone was... cool picture.

Hope you're doing well, Dennis.
I think about you often when I see the cool things you sent me.
I think that's the best thing about gifts sitting on my knife shelf, it makes me think of my friends daily.

 

[cigarrodog]

Your Slater is looking good

Thank you Jack. Sounds look you are having an adventurous Sunday. Being locked out it definitely counts as a “This sucks” kind of day. Still, I hope you’re mending nicely, and that you had a good visit. That’s a smashing maiden voyage Lamb. Love the filing. Cheers!

You do have an eye!

Thank you kindly, Dennis. Great looking Hartshead in the cranny image. Have a peaceful Sunday.

@5K Qs Howdy, GT. Sounds like your plate is quite full. Lovely tour. Hope the sailing gets smoother as your teaching adapts to to the times.

Good Afternoon Guardians.

Joseph Rodgers.

 

[K33ncutter]

I remember that one in your area! Hate you were injured in it! Did they finally figure the who's and why's on it?

Yes they did, Dennis. CSB has a video just updated this year on the 15th anniversary that goes into quite a bit of detail. Mostly it was operator error along with some high level alarms not working during the startup of a unit across the street from the unit I worked on. A lot more to it than that but c’est la vie.

 

[flatblackcapo]

A couple pics of Jake from the last few days.
I hope y'all are doing well.

 

[WhittlinAway]

Guardians, I’m curious, what was it that first attracted you to the lambsfoot? When you got your first, what surprised you the most?

If I’m remembering correctly the lambsfoot first blipped on my radar when Jack offered his “I’d rather have a sway back than a bad back” GAW. It didn’t really grab me though, as I had an almost singular focus on whittling knives at that point. It was later when Jack posted his “special horn” A. Wright and @r8shell posted her rosewood on the same day in the totin’ thread that I really took notice and decided to get one for my own.

What surprised me was how versatile a knife it is. Before then I would have sworn that I’d only be satisfied with a multi-blade folder with a clip main, like a stockman or many whittler pattern variations. Yet, here this single, belly-less blade pattern has found its way into my heart and pocket and happily tackles most every task I give it.

How about you?

 

[JohnDF]

How about you?

It wasn't the knife that first attracted me, it was the community
The fun, friendly, and generous people that make up the Guardians.
Jack sent me my first Lambsfoot as a gift and it remains my most used knife to date.

The first thing I noticed was the strong yet smooth pull, and violent snap.
No other knife I've ever handled before had such a satisfyingly tactile experience.
Once I used it... Well you know... Strong tip, flat edge, and downward cant to the blade, makes it a great user.

I own other knives that I really like to look at, fiddle with, and admire... But nothing replaces my Lamb in my pocket.

 

[Dschal]

I just thought the Lambsfoot was sleek and sexy. Plus this thread seemed like where all the cool kids were hanging out. I got in touch with Jack when I was planning a trip to England, and he very kindly gifted me my first Lambsfoot, and it’s been off to the races since then!

 

[Half/Stop]

A real beauty! Love those DamLambs!

Thanks Dennis! Beautiful Stag Hartshead my friend!

 

[CelloDan]

Every obstacle is an opportunity.

 

[tmd_87]

Rainy Sunday here. Hope you Guardians are all doing well!!

 

[black mamba]

Greg, my experience with my first lambfoot closely mirrors your own. I am primarily a stockman guy, and if I carried a single blade it was either a clip or a drop point. I had no use for a straight edged single blade, thinking of them only as a secondary. Reading this Guardians' thread is what got me to try one out. The Guardians are so effusive about the wonderful lambfoot that I just had to try one out. I was shocked at how versatile the blade is: every bit as good at precision cuts as my usual sheepfoot, and better at getting into tight spaces with it's tapered spine and pointy tip. But the tip is NOT prone to snapping as so many Wharncliffes seem to be, making it the most utilitarian of all straight edged blades. Guardians Forever!!

 

[cigarrodog]

Guardians, I’m curious, what was it that first attracted you to the lambsfoot?

As I recall, Greg, I was immersing myself into the Traditional world, and kept seeing “Guardians of The Lambsfoot.” It took a while to grasp what was going on, but along with the learning, I just started to feel at home. I not only fell in love with the Lamb Foot but with vintage Sheffield knives, as well. Jack runs a tight ship. I like that.Thank to him and the Guardians, it’s like an old school gentlemen’s’ club.

 

[Prester John]

Guardians, I’m curious, what was it that first attracted you to the lambsfoot?

I had never heard of a "lambsfoot" knife till I started reading BladeForums a little over two years ago. I remember the catchy title of Jack's thread, and the interesting posts. I was intrigued by the diagram of a lambsfoot on page one (post #2), and started reading this thread regularly. I joined BF when the Guardians thread was on page 268 (it moved at a slower pace back then), but it was several months before I obtained my first lambsfoot, an Ashley's Choice, with Sambar Stag. (It was my 2018 Knife of the Year.)

I also went back, when the thread was on about page 400, and read the thread from the beginning. Fascinating stuff. A very versatile knife pattern, and probably the most useful straight-edge blade. I've got four so far. Here's a standard one with an African rosewood handle, a gift from Taylor:

I love them all, though. I baby the Hartshead Barlow, and keep it in the tin it came in when I'm not toting it. It does not get used on food. But I have sharpened it, and use it lightly.

This is also my favourite thread on BladeForums, and I am glad Jack started this thread.

 

[Pt-Luso]

 

[Jack Black]

Thank you much, Jack. It is a relaxing spot, and I enjoy a fire whenever possible.
Love the '19, it's a charmer for sure!

I don't blame you Dennis, I'd rather sit round a fire than round a TV! Thanks buddy

...Got back to the states, and the bombing at the Murrah building by Timothy McVeigh rattled our shop doors, immediately deployed our command post there, and worked there for the whole event. Still don't fully understand it.

That must have been a tough one

Well, that sucks! Hope you're feeling better, Jack!! A hot toddy always seems like a great way to kick the bug!

...

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!

Thanks again Dennis Yeah, whisky rarely disappoints! That's a very interesting photo of your Hartshead Barlow

Thank you Jack. Sounds look you are having an adventurous Sunday. Being locked out it definitely counts as a “This sucks” kind of day. Still, I hope you’re mending nicely, and that you had a good visit. That’s a smashing maiden voyage Lamb. Love the filing. Cheers!

Like the pain in the backside it was, I'm glad it is behind me. Well, the lock-out part at least Thanks for your kind words my friend

Good Afternoon Guardians.

Joseph Rodgers.

What a fantastic Joseph Rodgers Harvey, very nice indeed You have captured it beautifully too

A couple pics of Jake from the last few days.
I hope y'all are doing well.

Jake is looking good Kevin, nice backgrounds for your pics Hope you're keeping well my friend

Guardians, I’m curious, what was it that first attracted you to the lambsfoot? When you got your first, what surprised you the most?

If I’m remembering correctly the lambsfoot first blipped on my radar when Jack offered his “I’d rather have a sway back than a bad back” GAW. It didn’t really grab me though, as I had an almost singular focus on whittling knives at that point. It was later when Jack posted his “special horn” A. Wright and @r8shell posted her rosewood on the same day in the totin’ thread that I really took notice and decided to get one for my own.

What surprised me was how versatile a knife it is. Before then I would have sworn that I’d only be satisfied with a multi-blade folder with a clip main, like a stockman or many whittler pattern variations. Yet, here this single, belly-less blade pattern has found its way into my heart and pocket and happily tackles most every task I give it.

How about you?

What a great idea for a discussion Greg That thread was 4 years ago (tomorrow)! I'm glad the Lambsfooot has found its way into your heart and pocket I'm rushing a little this morning, so I'll come back to this later, but I'm enjoying reading about everyone's first Lambsfoot experiences, and will respond later in the day

Every obstacle is an opportunity.

Very clever Dan For me, that 'obstacle' would have to be somewhat higher to present a photo opportunity!

Rainy Sunday here. Hope you Guardians are all doing well!!
View attachment 1342287

Great photo Taylor I took my Ironwood DamLamb up to the park yesterday, and found it surprisingly difficult to capture with my simple camera, the Ironwood reflects light more than I'd realised, and yet you need light to get the Damascus to pop - the blade mainly looked grey on the pics I took

Good Morning Guardians, really enjoying the responses to Greg's post, and I hope to chime in myself later I hope everyone had a good weekend, and that this week starts off gently for you. First order of business here at Grumble Towers is trying to fix the seal round the glass on my oven door, which decided to come loose yesterday. I've been meaning to buy a new cooker for ages, but find them tedious to shop for, and now isn't a good time Catch up with you later folks My 2017 Guardians Lambsfoot will be helping me out today

 

[btb01]

I've not seen it yet Barrett, thanks for the clip I'd like to see Real Life, where the Ricky Gervais character gets the living snot beaten out of him!

When I step out my back door as the sun rises, if I look slightly to my left over the row of houses behind us, I see this church just across the street (about 100 paces from my back door):
View attachment 1341807

Right in front of the church is this little "library":
View attachment 1341809
It's not one of the official "chartered" Little Free Libraries so commonly seen; instead, it has a plaque attached that states that the "book box" is a memorial to a deceased former pastor of the church. Here's my Valley Jack on the steps of the "church", followed by a close-up (I like the stained glass):
View attachment 1341811
View attachment 1341812

I've located a couple dozen of these types of libraries in my daily walks around the "expanded neighborhood", and hope to continue posting a series of lambsfoot pics taken at these little libraries. This one is the closest to me; I think the farthest one on my list is almost 3 miles from where I live.

- GT

Great post, GT! I’m always interested when I come across one of those little libraries, although I have to admit, I’ve rarely looked in one and seen much worth taking. Then again, I’ve never done my part in contributing to one, either. (I am, admittedly, a bit of a book hoarder.)

I do like the unique design of that one. I wonder if, being sort of church-affiliated (in addition to church-shaped), someone has been tasked with keeping it stocked with a Bible?

We have the Traeger, it's pretty small, but perfect for Kim and I burgers or whatever, then we have the larger charcoal grill for steaks or if we have company.

What is this “company” you speak of?