Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[JohnDF]

it’s like an old school gentlemen’s’ club.

Well said, Harvey.

I think the beauty shines through.

 

[JohnDF]

Good Morning Guardians
I get to go into work today, a nice treat.
Lots of meetings ahead but it will be nice to be out of the house.

 

[Dschal]

I carry a Lambsfoot to open 25 lb bags of flour.

 

[Onebigbill]

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



Yum! Great stuff! I hope you enjoyed it



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



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!



VERY cool Gary



Thanks pal



Nice Ed



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

That lambfoot knife is stunning - great photo

 

[JohnDF]

I carry a Lambsfoot to open 25 lb bags of flour.

I see lots of baking in your future.

 

[Jack Black]

I think the beauty shines through.

That lambfoot knife is stunning - great photo

Thanks guys, you're very kind, that's about the best of them I'm afraid

Good Morning Guardians
I get to go into work today, a nice treat.
Lots of meetings ahead but it will be nice to be out of the house.

Hope everything goes well John

I carry a Lambsfoot to open 25 lb bags of flour.

Lots of baking there!

I've had a busy day, but just been out for some recreational cardboard cutting I have beer stacked all around the house, and am looking forward to tucking into it, including re-exploring the Sam Smiths range

 

[Jack Black]

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?

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.

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!

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!!

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.

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.

I very much enjoyed reading the responses to Greg's post. As most of you know, introducing people to the Lambsfoot pattern, which was once almost unknown outside my small island, has been a mission for me for some years now, going back long before this thread was started, and it has been great to see so many folks here come to accept, and even love, the Lambsfoot. The Guardians have done an enormous service to the traditional knife community I think, promoting the pattern, but also being such a good and friendly bunch, that posters are attracted here just for the sense of friendship and camraderie. Special mention must also go to Charlie waynorth of course, for finally persuading GEC to produce the first run of US Lambsfoot knives

My own experiences go back more than 50 years, to when my grandfather gave me my first Lambsfoot, but it didn't win me over right away, far from it. I have kept coming back to the pattern though, and the more I've used it, the more versatile I realised it was, to the point that I could probably manage without any other pattern. Of course, I love knives, and enjoy carrying other patterns, but I've been carrying a Lambsfoot every day for a few years now, and anytime I have to use another knife, I often find myself thinking that I'd have been much better using my Lambsfoot

 

[JohnDF]

Some days I carry my Lambsfoot exclusively.
Other days ir gets rotated in and out of my pocket frequently with others.
But there's not a day that goes by where a Lambsfoot isn't in my pocket since the day I got my first one.

 

[Modoc ED]

Howdy do Guardians and anyone else looking in.

Standard with Buffalo Horn covers and "Lil-un" with Pere David Stag covers. Neither used yet - not safe queens - just haven't gotten around to using them yet.

 

[waynorth]

I very much enjoyed reading the responses to Greg's post. As most of you know, introducing people to the Lambsfoot pattern, which was once almost unknown outside my small island, has been a mission for me for some years now, going back long before this thread was started, and it has been great to see so many folks here come to accept, and even love, the Lambsfoot. The Guardians have done an enormous service to the traditional knife community I think, promoting the pattern, but also being such a good and friendly bunch, that posters are attracted here just for the sense of friendship and camraderie. Special mention must also go to Charlie waynorth of course, for finally persuading GEC to produce the first run of US Lambsfoot knives

My own experiences go back more than 50 years, to when my grandfather gave me my first Lambsfoot, but it didn't win me over right away, far from it. I have kept coming back to the pattern though, and the more I've used it, the more versatile I realised it was, to the point that I could probably manage without any other pattern. Of course, I love knives, and enjoy carrying other patterns, but I've been carrying a Lambsfoot every day for a few years now, and anytime I have to use another knife, I often find myself thinking that I'd have been much better using my Lambsfoot

It is a great story going on here!! The Lambsfoot is an almost universally useful knife, and I still carry one frequently. This thread might go on forever, much like the knives!!
Jack's dedication inspired me to chase GEC for years to produce one and I am ever-glad that it came to fruition!!
In fact I am carrying one for this Victoria Day holiday so I will always have the right knife with me!!
Off to harvest some of our back-yard lettuce!!!

 

[Modoc ED]

How in the heck did I get into this mess!!!!! I'd taken notice of the "Guardians of the Lambsfoot" thread way back when but didn't come to the thread as a participating Guardian until June/July 2019. To make my splash into the thread, I ordered a Lambfoot Small "Lil-un" with Buffalo Horn covers and shaped handle from a dealer in Wales, Great Britain and here it is - my first Lambfoot.

Since then, I've accumulated a few more but that's the nature of the game -- Isn't it???

The pattern itself is useful and makes for a comfortable pocket carry. The straight edge makes for a great slicer and last summer while working on one of my lawn tractor engines, the straight edged Lambfoot blade came in handy as a gasket scraper.

Can't finish up this post without mentioning all the Guardians Members. A great bunch of guys and gals that have been nothing but friendly to me. A special thanks to all you "bone heads" that have put up with my goings on about my adventures during the last few months going to and from various hospitals, doctors, etc.. Oh, and looking at the pictures of me in various stages post-op poses and states of dress.

Lastly, Thanks to Jack Black ( Jack Black ) for getting us all into this mess.

 

[cigarrodog]

What a fantastic Joseph Rodgers Harvey

Thank you Jack. Looks like going thirsty will be one less obstacle for you. If you don’t mind, aside from Stingo, what would be your favorite Samuel Smith? Cheers!

Well said, Harvey.

Thank you John.

Good Afternoon Guardians.

I just love this lil'un...

 

[CelloDan]

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?

I can related and identify with every single post preceding mine by other Guardians.
Reading all the responses I am like " Yeap, that's it, me too" over and over

Adding to those reasons, in my experience, was also the fact that at the time I bought my ebony lamb in August 2019 I was experiencing some increased stress (buying new knives it helps ... up to a point... and I did buy a few ...ordering them, waiting for the package, opening it etc but it's not the way to deal with life ).

My humble ebony lamb provided me with a way to feel more grounded, something to focus on, to carry every day on my walks, take pics, share here in the Guardians community, unwind (and temper my cravings for so many new knives lol ).

Cheers Guardians !

 

[Campbellclanman]

Well, I know I can speak for a WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE by saying a MASSIVE THANK YOU Mr. Jack Black for your outstanding love of this pattern, we all can see why as it is such a great Knife!
My Guardian Pocket sheath contains my Damascus Lambsfoot today, what a great start to the day!
My best to all my Blade friends here!

 

[AnW]

I've just got these two so far, but I was lucky enough to win one of Jack's SFOs in a giveaway so it will be interesting to see how the GECs compare to the "real deal" once it arrives.

Like most all have conveyed, my attraction to the knife is twofold. First, the knife just feels right - it's utilitarian yet somehow elegant. Second, the folks that hang out at the Guardians section of the porch are very welcoming, knowledgeable, and fun to be around. Every day it seems we learn some history, see some amazing food, experience nature, and I don't think I've ever seen any of the snarkiness that sometimes appears in an internet forum. For sure thanks to Jack for sharing his love of the pattern, to Charlie for championing it to GEC, and to all the porch dwelling Guardians who make this a fun group to "belong to".

 

[CelloDan]

Today I took my lamb for a walk ... to Jurassic Park

 

[Half/Stop]

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?

Greg I carried a Case Stockman for years! When Case came out with the Swayback’s I was immediately drawn to the shape and the Wharncliffe blade. I loved the straight edge blade! The problem was the knives were really smaller that I liked to carry. In 2014 I made a mistake! I discovered GEC! My first was a Tidioute #55 Houndstooth with a Wharncliffe blade. Then I saw a #47 Viper and feel in love with the size and that big Wharncliffe blade. I found that the straight edge was really versatile for EDC. The single blade and handle shape made for a comfortable knife in hand and in the pocket. Then I noticed this knife on the big auction site. It was my introduction to the Lambsfoot. I ordered the knife. It was my Humphreys Radiant! I loved the knife! Next, thanks to me being the lucky winner in Jacks Jack Black “bad back” GAW. I received a beautiful Wright’s Ebony Lambsfoot from Jack and I was immediately addicted! I believe these were some of the first knives that Jack had Wright’s make special for him. Every since then there has been very few days where I haven’t had a Lambsfoot in my pocket! Thanks to Jack I’ve had some very nice ones to choose from! To sum it up, day in and day out the Lambsfoot will handle any cutting requirements that I have for a pocket folder!

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!!

Very well stated Jeff!

Thanks guys, you're very kind, that's about the best of them I'm afraid

I've had a busy day, but just been out for some recreational cardboard cutting I have beer stacked all around the house, and am looking forward to tucking into it, including re-exploring the Sam Smiths range

 

[Half/Stop]

We’ve been a little busy here today. In between rain showers I managed to cut and load this old decking materials. The bed on my Silverado was loaded level full, all 1192 lbs. Here’s my Rosewood Bigun posing for a photo before I tossed the lumber in the dumpster at the landfill!

 

[WhittlinAway]

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.

Interesting! There seems to be a nature and nurture theme starting here and repeated many times below. The nature of the knife and the nurture of the community assembled here.

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!

Sleek and sexy, indeed!

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!!

Thanks for sharing! Guardians Forever!

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.

You've found such nice examples of the vintage ones. It's amazing that you've only been collecting since after this thread started. Well done! I always love seeing them!

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.

Wow, your first was an AC? You started well! :thumbsup!

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

I very much enjoyed reading the responses to Greg's post. As most of you know, introducing people to the Lambsfoot pattern, which was once almost unknown outside my small island, has been a mission for me for some years now, going back long before this thread was started, and it has been great to see so many folks here come to accept, and even love, the Lambsfoot. The Guardians have done an enormous service to the traditional knife community I think, promoting the pattern, but also being such a good and friendly bunch, that posters are attracted here just for the sense of friendship and camraderie. Special mention must also go to Charlie waynorth of course, for finally persuading GEC to produce the first run of US Lambsfoot knives

My own experiences go back more than 50 years, to when my grandfather gave me my first Lambsfoot, but it didn't win me over right away, far from it. I have kept coming back to the pattern though, and the more I've used it, the more versatile I realised it was, to the point that I could probably manage without any other pattern. Of course, I love knives, and enjoy carrying other patterns, but I've been carrying a Lambsfoot every day for a few years now, and anytime I have to use another knife, I often find myself thinking that I'd have been much better using my Lambsfoot

Thanks, Jack! I believe I've asked a similar question in the past, but I find people's lambsfoot origin stories fascinating and a good way to learn something new both about the pattern and my fellow Guardians. I appreciate everyone's answers! I'll probably ask again in a year or two.

And, thanks for sharing your own first experience, Jack. You've certainly become an extremely effective Lambsfoot Evangelist, my friend.

How in the heck did I get into this mess!!!!! I'd taken notice of the "Guardians of the Lambsfoot" thread way back when but didn't come to the thread as a participating Guardian until June/July 2019. To make my splash into the thread, I ordered a Lambfoot Small "Lil-un" with Buffalo Horn covers and shaped handle from a dealer in Wales, Great Britain and here it is - my first Lambfoot.

Since then, I've accumulated a few more but that's the nature of the game -- Isn't it???

The pattern itself is useful and makes for a comfortable pocket carry. The straight edge makes for a great slicer and last summer while working on one of my lawn tractor engines, the straight edged Lambfoot blade came in handy as a gasket scraper.

Can't finish up this post without mentioning all the Guardians Members. A great bunch of guys and gals that have been nothing but friendly to me. A special thanks to all you "bone heads" that have put up with my goings on about my adventures during the last few months going to and from various hospitals, doctors, etc.. Oh, and looking at the pictures of me in various stages post-op poses and states of dress.

Lastly, Thanks to Jack Black ( Jack Black ) for getting us all into this mess.

Wow, that lil-un sure did spur quite a collection. I didn't realize it was your first. I'm smitten with it every time you show it.

I can related and identify with every single post preceding mine by other Guardians.
Reading all the responses I am like " Yeap, that's it, me too" over and over

Adding to those reasons, in my experience, was also the fact that at the time I bought my ebony lamb in August 2019 I was experiencing some increased stress (buying new knives it helps ... up to a point... and I did buy a few ...ordering them, waiting for the package, opening it etc but it's not the way to deal with life ).

My humble ebony lamb provided me with a way to feel more grounded, something to focus on, to carry every day on my walks, take pics, share here in the Guardians community, unwind (and temper my cravings for so many new knives lol ).

Cheers Guardians !

I agree. There's something humbling and grounding about these unassuming working knives.

 

[WhittlinAway]

I've just got these two so far, but I was lucky enough to win one of Jack's SFOs in a giveaway so it will be interesting to see how the GECs compare to the "real deal" once it arrives.

Like most all have conveyed, my attraction to the knife is twofold. First, the knife just feels right - it's utilitarian yet somehow elegant. Second, the folks that hang out at the Guardians section of the porch are very welcoming, knowledgeable, and fun to be around. Every day it seems we learn some history, see some amazing food, experience nature, and I don't think I've ever seen any of the snarkiness that sometimes appears in an internet forum. For sure thanks to Jack for sharing his love of the pattern, to Charlie for championing it to GEC, and to all the porch dwelling Guardians who make this a fun group to "belong to".

Utilitarian yet somehow elegant. Yup! That exactly.

It also seems like something that someone might say about a light saber, that that's another thread....

Greg I carried a Case Stockman for years! When Case came out with the Swayback’s I was immediately drawn to the shape and the Wharncliffe blade. I loved the straight edge blade! The problem was the knives were really smaller that I liked to carry. In 2014 I made a mistake! I discovered GEC! My first was a Tidioute #55 Houndstooth with a Wharncliffe blade. Then I saw a #47 Viper and feel in love with the size and that big Wharncliffe blade. I found that the straight edge was really versatile for EDC. The single blade and handle shape made for a comfortable knife in hand and in the pocket. Then I noticed this knife on the big auction site. It was my introduction to the Lambsfoot. I ordered the knife. It was my Humphreys Radiant! I loved the knife! Next, thanks to me being the lucky winner in Jacks Jack Black “bad back” GAW. I received a beautiful Wright’s Ebony Lambsfoot from Jack and I was immediately addicted! I believe these were some of the first knives that Jack had Wright’s make special for him. Every since then there has been very few days where I haven’t had a Lambsfoot in my pocket! Thanks to Jack I’ve had some very nice ones to choose from! To sum it up, day in and day out the Lambsfoot will handle any cutting requirements that I have for a pocket folder!

Wow, Ron! I didn't remember that you'd won that GAW. Very cool. And, very cool that you remain a devoted lambsfoot fan to this day. Yet another example of "once you've experienced one, it's hard to stop wanting to carry one."

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories. I've enjoyed reading them!