Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[pistonsandgears]

Wonderful mate, and that is some fantastic-looking country Tasty-looking pint too



Hey, you got a nice one there! How are you finding it? Welcome to the Guardians

Thanks Jack. I like it, blade shape is great. The handle and blade are nicely proportioned. Fit and finish is fairly good but there is some room for improvement. The tang stamp is lacking the "& SON LTD" so I am assuming its a bit older production. I'll have to get one of the newer ones for a comparison at some point. All in it is a solid knife and I am looking forward to putting it to work. I am glad to have a Sheffield produced lambsfoot in the fold.

 

[JTB_5]

Thanks mate, very kind of you to say so, and you've done another outstanding job on this lot. Ashley can certainly put a fine knife together. Yes, this one's going straight into my current batch of users!



Sounds like a worthy experiment, I'll be interested to see how it turns out in comparison to the standard 50/50 edge grind - I daresay it'll make a fine woodcarving, gardening and paring knife edge configuration.



Terrific trio there, Rachel! That little Sambar Lambsfoot is really nicely done, I agree. I'm looking forward to hearing how it handles in use for you, compared to the larger two sizes.



Congratulations, what a fine pair. I'm hoping that despite his time constraints, Mr GT may chime in with some of his Rorschach test style descriptions of the unique patterning on the small batch of horn covered knives. I'm seeing comets tail, and solar corona and flare effects in yours, myself.



Thanks GT. Yes, cutting on a ceramic plate does almost instantly flatten and dull a sharp, refined edge apex, so I usually avoid it too. Sometimes when it can't be avoided, I use the following techniques to minimise problems, when I may be away from home without sharpening gear for a while.
- Using the fork to lift away the food to be cut from the plate, so the knife doesn't actually contact the plate as it completes the cut.
- Use a blade design like the Lambsfoot which minimises the actual contact area hitting the plate to the blade point, preserving the rest of the sharp edge, and being relatively easy to restore with steeling, benchstone, ceramic rods, or mugs etc.
-Use a knife with a soft, easily resharpened steel, which is easy to restore, specifically for this task, or a multibladed knife. This last technique is what I usually do: I have a couple of stainless Case mini-trappers in 420HC I use for eating, when the provided cutlery is so blunt as to detract from the enjoyment of a meal.

GT, your mileage may vary, but I find being able to sharpen well can significantly add to ones enjoyment of a knife, as well as being a relaxing end in itself. I doesn't have to cost a lot for a decent setup.



Thanks for the excellent pics, and I'm glad to see you got another great Li'l Sambar. Congratulations on finishing the college course!



Nice chilli peppers and sharpening work there, Rachel.



Yes, you can definitely use sandpaper glued or taped to a hard flat surface like glass to do this job, you just need to take a little care to avoid rounding the tip. Using substrates with a little 'give' in them as well, like leather, or a few sheets of paper can help with creating a slight convex edge contour as well, which usually gives a smoother cutting feel, than a sharp shouldered V-grind.

Thanks for the tip! I like the idea of a convex edge. I have some sandpaper so I may try it out on a cheaper knife and see what I can do.

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks Jack. I like it, blade shape is great. The handle and blade are nicely proportioned. Fit and finish is fairly good but there is some room for improvement. The tang stamp is lacking the "& SON LTD" so I am assuming its a bit older production. I'll have to get one of the newer ones for a comparison at some point. All in it is a solid knife and I am looking forward to putting it to work. I am glad to have a Sheffield produced lambsfoot in the fold.

That's interesting about the tang stamp. I would have guessed it was older production, based on the quality of the stag, and the Candle-end pattern. They still use that pattern, but Sambar isn't generally available, and only rarely in longer lengths. I hope you enjoy using it

 

[pistonsandgears]

That's interesting about the tang stamp. I would have guessed it was older production, based on the quality of the stag, and the Candle-end pattern. They still use that pattern, but Sambar isn't generally available, and only rarely in longer lengths. I hope you enjoy using it

Thanks for that info Jack, the stag was what drew me to this particular knife, it is attractive and well matched. I had noticed the handle has a bit different shape from the recent run of guardians knives. I wasn't sure if that was due to being an older production, different pattern, or manufacturing variation.

 

[traumkommode]

I see; I wasn't reading carefully. Since Andrew (traumkommode) modified that Navy knife into a lambsfoot, I've been really impressed with its slicing capabilities with the thinner grind he did. It seems like a belt would be the easiest way to do it, but I'm curious if anyone has ever used sandpaper on a flat surface and just freehanded a grind that way.

Thanks for the tip! I like the idea of a convex edge. I have some sandpaper so I may try it out on a cheaper knife and see what I can do.

I recommend ordering some high quality sandpaper (a quick search on cutting media will be fruitful, stuff like silicon carbide is really nice), and coarse grit. With a steady hand you can move back and forth and it'll go faster, but once you're thinned as much as you like, for finishing you're going to want to move the blade in one direction - the stropping direction, or away from the cutting edge. Thinning a blade like what I did, but by hand, will take some time, although with the C70 steel and stuff like 1095 or Case steel probably not as much. That 440C or more advanced steels - make a weekend project out of it

 

[JTB_5]

I recommend ordering some high quality sandpaper (a quick search on cutting media will be fruitful, stuff like silicon carbide is really nice), and coarse grit. With a steady hand you can move back and forth and it'll go faster, but once you're thinned as much as you like, for finishing you're going to want to move the blade in one direction - the stropping direction, or away from the cutting edge. Thinning a blade like what I did, but by hand, will take some time, although with the C70 steel and stuff like 1095 or Case steel probably not as much. That 440C or more advanced steels - make a weekend project out of it

Thanks Andrew! The stuff I have now probably isn't very good, seeing as I bought lots of sheets of it for a pretty inexpensive price on Amazon (for buffing out some dings in my churchill's bolster). Looking at the package it says the company is Miady and the product is made in China. Hm..

 

[Pàdruig]

Unfortunately, I am still waiting for that special package from England. If I recall correctly, the postal service takes its sweet time getting things to Oregon. Very nice to see everyone's new knives though.

I had a very pleasant time on my 3 day hike. It was good to get my batteries recharged so to speak.

I got quite a few pictures that I will share in due time, but here is one showing a lambsfoot at Claggett Lake.

 

[rockman0]

Great pics of the new Gaurdians everyone ! Keep em coming
It's fun to compare these two, I believe the one on the left is older based on its nail nick being smaller and shallow. Being the one on the right has seen a lot more use I'll be sending it off for new covers but I'm torn between putting on saw cut bone or black horn? What would you do?

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks for that info Jack, the stag was what drew me to this particular knife, it is attractive and well matched. I had noticed the handle has a bit different shape from the recent run of guardians knives. I wasn't sure if that was due to being an older production, different pattern, or manufacturing variation.

It's rare that Wright's are able to use Sambar for that pattern these days. This is the only one I've seen of relatively recent production.



Wright's refer to it as a Candle-end, which is an old cutlery term. Most of their Lambsfoot patterns use a swayback frame, like the last two Guardians knives. The ergonomics are quite different, and worth trying out

Unfortunately, I am still waiting for that special package from England. If I recall correctly, the postal service takes its sweet time getting things to Oregon. Very nice to see everyone's new knives though.

I had a very pleasant time on my 3 day hike. It was good to get my batteries recharged so to speak.

I got quite a few pictures that I will share in due time, but here is one showing a lambsfoot at Claggett Lake.

Hopefully you'll have it soon Dylan Good to hear you had a great trip, and were able to re-charge your batteries - I know the feeling very well my friend! Beautiful pic my friend

Great pics of the new Gaurdians everyone ! Keep em coming
It's fun to compare these two, I believe the one on the left is older based on its nail nick being smaller and shallow. Being the one on the right has seen a lot more use I'll be sending it off for new covers but I'm torn between putting on saw cut bone or black horn? What would you do?

The one on the left may very well be older Rob, but I doubt much can be discerned from the nail nicks. It's certainly in better condition. Incredible you were able to find two in that pattern. How about ram's horn?

 

[screened porch]

No, 2017 top, 2018 bottom. It doesn't really show up on that pic, but there is a LITTLE patina on the 2017

The 2017 was ebony with a round tang-stamp that said Sheffield rather than Wrights?

 

[rockman0]

It's rare that Wright's are able to use Sambar for that pattern these days. This is the only one I've seen of relatively recent production.

View attachment 914519

Wright's refer to it as a Candle-end, which is an old cutlery term. Most of their Lambsfoot patterns use a swayback frame, like the last two Guardians knives. The ergonomics are quite different, and worth trying out



Hopefully you'll have it soon Dylan Good to hear you had a great trip, and were able to re-charge your batteries - I know the feeling very well my friend! Beautiful pic my friend



The one on the left may very well be older Rob, but I doubt much can be discerned from the nail nicks. It's certainly in better condition. Incredible you were able to find two in that pattern. How about ram's horn?

Ram' s horn, that's a good idea

 

[flatblackcapo]

Fantastic group shot my friend I need to take a few

Thanks, Jack. You must have loads of cool stuff around the house, judging by your background.

That's two great mini-collections there gents I think you've persuaded me to add an ebony lambsfoot to my collection

Thank you, Donn. I am diggin' that 2 blade Lambsfoot.

 

[flatblackcapo]

This horn has some wonderful reds in it. You can just see a hint of it in this pic, I will try to get a better shot when the sun is out.

 

[dc50]

Unfortunately, I am still waiting for that special package from England. If I recall correctly, the postal service takes its sweet time getting things to Oregon. Very nice to see everyone's new knives though.

I had a very pleasant time on my 3 day hike. It was good to get my batteries recharged so to speak.

I got quite a few pictures that I will share in due time, but here is one showing a lambsfoot at Claggett Lake.

Hope you don't mind, I put this pic on my desktop. I've been waiting for an ebony and horn for 6 weeks now,I'm starting to think they may never show.
I bet a dollar to a hole in a doughnut, the Ebony Jack shipped, gets here before they do!

 

[Jack Black]

The 2017 was ebony with a round tang-stamp that said Sheffield rather than Wrights?

I was referring to this pic Jer



The ebony with the round tang stamp was made by Wright's, but I bought it several years ago

Thanks, Jack. You must have loads of cool stuff around the house, judging by your background.

Thanks Kevin, I like to think of my old junk as cool! I picked up the old iron nails and folding rule just yesterday

This horn has some wonderful reds in it. You can just see a hint of it in this pic, I will try to get a better shot when the sun is out.

Great pic my friend This year's horn has more red in it than last year's. It doesn't show through so well on all of the knives, but on some I thought it was quite striking. I allocated all the knives randomly, but I noticed @OldEngineer's had a lot of nice red in it, as hopefully we'll see before too long They're all in here somewhere!

Hope you don't mind, I put this pic on my desktop. I've been waiting for an ebony and horn for 6 weeks now,I'm starting to think they may never show.
I bet a dollar to a hole in a doughnut, the Ebony Jack shipped, gets here before they do!

That's a long wait Hope they reach you soon my friend

 

[screened porch]

Oops. I should proceed with caution when I find myself thinking I'm the least confused on the scene.
Damit, forgot to insert quote.

 

[bonzodog]

A few repairs around the house today.

 

[Half/Stop]

I’m sitting here watching it rain and waiting for the mailman to deliver my 2018 Guardians Lambsfoot knives and one other medium model with Pere David Stag. I’m really enjoying the photos being posted so far. It’s great to see all the beautiful knives with Sambar Stag. I decided to carry one of my Sambar examples today to keep me company while I wait!

 

[Jack Black]

View attachment 914872 A few repairs around the house today.

Very nice

I’m sitting here watching it rain and waiting for the mailman to deliver my 2018 Guardians Lambsfoot knives and one other medium model with Pere David Stag. I’m really enjoying the photos being posted so far. It’s great to see all the beautiful knives with Sambar Stag. I decided to carry one of my Sambar examples today to keep me company while I wait!

I hope they get to you soon Ron, those two are none too shabby though my friend

Hope everyone has a good short week after the long weekend

 

[r8shell]

Great pics of the new Gaurdians everyone ! Keep em coming
It's fun to compare these two, I believe the one on the left is older based on its nail nick being smaller and shallow. Being the one on the right has seen a lot more use I'll be sending it off for new covers but I'm torn between putting on saw cut bone or black horn? What would you do?

Saw cut bone would look very cool, but not traditional to the pattern, I think? Some sort of blond horn would be nice, and then you have a choice to carry the light or dark, depending on the day's mood.