Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[Jack Black]

The Gifting Guardian has struck again!

Earlier this week I checked my P.O. box and found that I had a package waiting from none other than our Guardian in Chief, Mr. Jack Black . Inside were a few thoughtful items that are typical of his packages and something I was both surprised and delighted to see, this lovely Guardians Edition Lambsfoot in ebony:

Jack, thank you so much! It’s just lovely. I know the bolsters aren’t the ones you had intended, but I love them. As others—and maybe even you yourself—have said, the seemless transition from wood to bolster makes for a wonderful worry stone and I think the shape of the bolster enhances that even more.

I’ve been enjoying the family pics, so here’s my Trio o’ Wrights:

To date, the standard buffalo horn on the bottom left has had the most carry, with the fancy horn on the bottom right being reserved for Sunday Best occasions. I can already tell the new ebony one is going to see a lot of pocket time, though. In fact, it’s in my pocket now.

Thanks again Jack, both for your generosity and all the effort you put into making these Guardians Edition knives a reality.

I'm glad it landed safely Greg After all your great contributions here, and your work in building the index for this thread, I didn't want you to miss out on this year's knife. I also remembered you saying that bolster was useful ergonomically when you were whittling. I'm glad you like it

 

[Half/Stop]

Ron, in my opinion, that is an exceptional post! For the minor faults I've found on my Wright's knives over the years, I've certainly never experienced the slightest bit of blade-play, as we all know, those knives snap open like a bank vault door closes! It's also worth remembering that Wright's biggest sellers are the inexpensive Rosewood models, and most of their cutlers are engaged in producing them. Only Wright two best craftsmen are involved in making the Guardians knives however

Thank you sir! I felt like I might have been rambling a bit but those were simply my observations from my personal experience!

 

[Jack Black]

Thank you sir! I felt like I might have been rambling a bit but those were simply my observations from my personal experience!

I thought it was an excellent post Ron Personally, it's very gratifying seeing the Lambsfoot pattern being so enthusiastically received across the pond

 

[Jack Black]

My morning coffee

 

[Bartleby]

Yes indeed While they can be very frustrating to deal with, unlike most other manufacturers making the claim, their knives are genuinely handmade, and could not be made more traditionally. They also provide excellent value for money I think

Agreed! I think that they are the most traditional of traditional makers, and quality usually far exceeds expectations at their mid range price point. I have in fact purchased a knife earlier this year made by Wrights under the Oakedge label, which while sold as a "Second" by Oakedge that is pretty close to flawless in fit and finish (perhaps it is just lackluster stag that prevented it from being first quality).

 

[Pàdruig]

Well, after the hullabaloo I endured in acquiring the highly anticipated package from England, I finally have it in hand. I had to go to my local Post Office to retrieve it yesterday evening and was told at first by the clerk there that since he could not locate the parcel that it must have been shipped back to sender.... You can imagine my irritation. After I pointed out that the tracking said otherwise and that I had specifically instructed the Post Office to hold the parcel for me to pick up, he informed me that I could fill out a form and that he would notify me when he found it.

Well, no sooner did I walk through my front door when my phone rang and he told me to come back as he had located it under a bunch of other mail. It is fortunate that my new house is but barely a block away and I was able to go back and finally retrieve it.

Jack, I must say that Wrights finest cutlers have produced some exquisite knives, I am so very fond of all three. Though I am particularly smitten with the Stag, the Ebony is such a pleasure to have in hand. Smooth, buttery, and strikingly handsome, the hollowed bolster really sets it off. The threaded bolster on the horn example is rather eye catching and I think it suits the horn admirably well.

I must say all three knives have superb fit and finish, walk and talk with authority, and will soon see an enormous amount of pocket time. In fact, both the Stag and the Ebony are with me today. Double the Lambsfoot!!! (Lambsfeet? )

Thank you so much, Jack! These knives are incredible and the thoughtful additions in the parcel just sweetened the whole thing even more. It has positively marked the much anticipated end to what had become a rather arduous and complicated move to my new house.

I will post better pictures when the light favors me a bit. For now, here are a couple teasers.

 

[waynorth]

Well, I am happy you have defeated the intransigence and incompetence of the Post Office Dylan!!
Whatever happened to the motto, "neither rain, nor sleet nor snow shall stop the mail!" or whatever??
Easy to forget the hassle when you open the package to see such wonderful knives!!
Nice going Jack Black ! We owe's ya boy!!

 

[Jack Black]

Agreed! I think that they are the most traditional of traditional makers, and quality usually far exceeds expectations at their mid range price point. I have in fact purchased a knife earlier this year made by Wrights under the Oakedge label, which while sold as a "Second" by Oakedge that is pretty close to flawless in fit and finish (perhaps it is just lackluster stag that prevented it from being first quality).

I've had a few 'seconds' from the factory, and the flaws were only cosmetic This was a 'second'

Well, I am happy you have defeated the intransigence and incompetence of the Post Office Dylan!!
Whatever happened to the motto, "neither rain, nor sleet nor snow shall stop the mail!" or whatever??
Easy to forget the hassle when you open the package to see such wonderful knives!!
Nice going Jack Black ! We owe's ya boy!!

Thanks Charlie, hope yours get to you soon my friend

 

[Jack Black]

Well, after the hullabaloo I endured in acquiring the highly anticipated package from England, I finally have it in hand. I had to go to my local Post Office to retrieve it yesterday evening and was told at first by the clerk there that since he could not locate the parcel that it must have been shipped back to sender.... You can imagine my irritation. After I pointed out that the tracking said otherwise and that I had specifically instructed the Post Office to hold the parcel for me to pick up, he informed me that I could fill out a form and that he would notify me when he found it.

Well, no sooner did I walk through my front door when my phone rang and he told me to come back as he had located it under a bunch of other mail. It is fortunate that my new house is but barely a block away and I was able to go back and finally retrieve it.

Jack, I must say that Wrights finest cutlers have produced some exquisite knives, I am so very fond of all three. Though I am particularly smitten with the Stag, the Ebony is such a pleasure to have in hand. Smooth, buttery, and strikingly handsome, the hollowed bolster really sets it off. The threaded bolster on the horn example is rather eye catching and I think it suits the horn admirably well.

I must say all three knives have superb fit and finish, walk and talk with authority, and will soon see an enormous amount of pocket time. In fact, both the Stag and the Ebony are with me today. Double the Lambsfoot!!! (Lambsfeet? )

Thank you so much, Jack! These knives are incredible and the thoughtful additions in the parcel just sweetened the whole thing even more. It has positively marked the much anticipated end to what had become a rather arduous and complicated move to my new house.

I will post better pictures when the light favors me a bit. For now, here are a couple teasers.

That's irritating that you had to deal with that at the post office Dylan I'm glad you finally got your hands on the package though my friend, and that you were pleased with the contents

 

[donn]

Congratulations my friend, you really got a beauty there, and that's a great pic of it on the old Sheffield map Wright's are reluctant to use (polished) ram's horn because they've found that parts of it can flake off during the final polishing stage, which basically means the knife is ruined. TEW's ram's horn knives knives are made for them by Russell White, and the number he produces are relatively few. They are several times higher in price than Wright's knife, so presumably the extra work a spoiled cover might entail is worked into the cost. I dare say that at the price they are, Russell can afford to take his time with them too The sort of ram's horn covers I'd most like to see are the ones which retain the character of the horn. I don't think either Wright's or TEW have ever produced knives like that. Working with a new material might inevitably have a learning curve, and I can understand their reluctance to go down that route. Personally, I'd also not want to sponsor that learning curve. Michael May might want to haft some ram's horn knives, but they'd be substantially more expensive than knives from Wright's I imagine

Thanks for the elaboration Jack I didn't know ram's horn was more difficult to work with than say buffalo horn. Nor did I know that Russell White was still involved with TEW. I emailed them for a list of their stockists but without success I was going to treat myself to one of their lambsfoot or barlows.
Your right about the price; I notice the Famous Sheffield Shop still offer a TEW MOP barlow for nearly £200 and the Michael May knives look very nice but there also substantially dearer than Wright's knives.
I'm really taken with this new lambsfoot. However, I was a bit surprised by how small it was. I hadn't realized that my rosewood lambsfoot I've been carrying for the past 10 years was a large model Theres quite a (pleasant) difference between the two.

-David.

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks for the elaboration Jack I didn't know ram's horn was more difficult to work with than say buffalo horn. Nor did I know that Russell White was still involved with TEW. I emailed them for a list of their stockists but without success I was going to treat myself to one of their lambsfoot or barlows.
Your right about the price; I notice the Famous Sheffield Shop still offer a TEW MOP barlow for nearly £200 and the Michael May knives look very nice but there also substantially dearer than Wright's knives.
I'm really taken with this new lambsfoot. However, I was a bit surprised by how small it was. I hadn't realized that my rosewood lambsfoot I've been carrying for the past 10 years was a large model Theres quite a (pleasant) difference between the two.

-David.

I'm only going on what I was told when I asked about ram's horn at Wrights I think Russell was ill for sometime, but is now making a few knives for them again. I wonder if that MOP Barlow at The Famous Sheffield Shop is the same one they have had for the past five years?! I had always thought your Rosewood Lambsfoot was the Medium size! The new one must have been quite a shock! That's the smallest size of Lambsfoot Wright's do, it's only a little smaller than the Medium size, but I think it really makes a difference. I see you are already building up a patina Thanks for the comparison pic

The weather has been great here this past month The weather forecasters are saying there'll be rain tomorrow, but they said the same about today, and it has been a glorious day. I'm heading out to a local wildlife sanctuary, hopefully get a walk, see a few birds, and if it rains, I can always go the pub! Hope everyone has a great weekend

 

[screened porch]

"...Blackadder, with many a cunning plan..."

 

[donn]

I wonder if that MOP Barlow at The Famous Sheffield Shop is the same one they have had for the past five years?!

The weather has been great here this past month The weather forecasters are saying there'll be rain tomorrow, but they said the same about today, and it has been a glorious day. I'm heading out to a local wildlife sanctuary, hopefully get a walk, see a few birds, and if it rains, I can always go the pub! Hope everyone has a great weekend

View attachment 916845

If that MOP barlow is the same one from 5 years ago then it used to be somewhere about the £120 mark. I guess increasing the price by £70 is a great way to clear unsold stock....
Enjoy your day Jack. Desperate for a good thunderstorm here to clear this humidity but alas none came And remember you can always go the pub even it doesn't rain.

 

[5K Qs]

It's my duty as a Guardian to bring this thread back to the first page , and I'm confident that I'm up to the task!
Yesterday before I left work, I found an international package in my mailbox, and became the most recent ecstatic recipient of a 2018 ebony Guardians Lambsfoot! My camera batteries were recharging at the time, so I didn't get photos until today. But then I went overboard on the pics, and I hope you'll bear with me. I won't show every pic I took, but I'll probably post more than the average number for a "Lambsfoot Has Landed" post.

I first want to join the chorus expressing our thanks to Jack for making all this happiness happen! But I'd like to specifically thank Jack for the care he took in preparing the packages for shipment. We've all seen the results, but I'm going to document mine here. I first saw this large plastic pouch with many stickers of various kinds. One end was stamped with "FRAGILE" in large letters (for a moment I thought the package had come from Italy ). There was also a customs declaration sticker nearby. But wait - I ordered an ebony lambsfoot, but there appear to be THREE items listed on the customs form?

The 3rd and 4th row look familiar, and what I'd been eagerly awaiting: "1 bespoke Lambsfoot Slipjoint". (I have a bespoke knife!! ) But I can't make out what the other two lines say. Maybe the top one is "1 bridge adjunct"? Some kind of card game?? And the second item looks like "1 lb ear-nut", but the package doesn't feel that heavy. Maybe it's all a ploy to keep the customs officials satisfied.

Inside the white pouch was a smaller manila envelope, again with my full address on the outside:

Upon opening that inner envelope, I found 3 items: a plastic tub with lid taped on (and addressed again to me), a "reversible" beverage coaster, and a Yorkshire magnet! I'll bet "bridge adjunct" was actually "fridge magnet" and "1 lb ear-nut" might have been "1 beer mat"? Good stuff, Jack; thanks!! Here are the fronts and backs, respectively, of the latter two items:

Unfortunately, I had been "playing" with the magnet, tossing it at a file cabinet to make it stick near a target, before I realized, per the small print on the back, that it was NOT a toy! (I'm also not sure I'm a "proper pub person". ) Here's the magnet on an office file cabinet with other magnets stuck to that furniture:

Here's the "inmost tub":

Upon opening the tub, I found unsalted circus peanuts and a bubble-wrap cocoon:

I suspect that the cocoon holds what I've been eagerly anticipating with bated breath for over a week as I kept an active tracking tab in my browser.

I'll save the "big reveal" for my next post!

- GT

 

[5K Qs]

Cutting to the chase, the bubble-wrap cocoon did indeed contain an exquisite ebony lambsfoot knife. It leaves me virtually speechless, so I'll let the pics do the talking about mark and pile sides, closed and open. I'm using mostly pics from an outdoor shoot.







- GT

 

[Astronaut FX]

 

[btb01]

No, neither did I before 1984 (when my daughter Emma was born). I had a look in the Sheffield phone directory, and there were actually half a dozen Blackadders listed. I've never encountered another though

Hey, that's the year before I was born!

Getting Wright's to do the bolsters was an absolute nightmare this year! I'll not go into all the details, but my original specifications were for a hollow/fluted bolster (like last year's) on a red/white horn knife, and a rat-tail bolster on a jet-black ebony knife. Instead, and after a great deal of messing about, we ended up with a hollow bolster on an ebony knife, and a threaded bolster on a horn knife. Please don't underestimate what a PITA it is to deal with Sheffield cutlers. It was a massive relief just to get hold of this year's knives

Jack, I'm sorry to hear that Wright's mixed up the bolsters, but I have to say, I like that Ebony 2018 Guardians Lambsfoot has the same bolsters as last year's Horn Guardians Lambsfoot, and that the special Horn knife this year has something different, particularly since the horn came out more similar to last year's than I know you were hoping for. (Also, I really like the threaded bolster!)

Well, I am happy you have defeated the intransigence and incompetence of the Post Office Dylan!!
Whatever happened to the motto, "neither rain, nor sleet nor snow shall stop the mail!" or whatever??
Easy to forget the hassle when you open the package to see such wonderful knives!!
Nice going Jack Black ! We owe's ya boy!!

Charlie, I believe the full motto (as inscribed on the James Farley Post Office in NYC) reads, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." It doesn't say anything about them actually getting your mail to you.

It's my duty a a Guardian to bring this thread back to the first page , and I'm confident that I'm up to the task!
Yesterday before I left work, I found an international package in my mailbox, and became the most recent ecstatic recipient of a 2018 ebony Guardians Lambsfoot! My camera batteries were recharging at the time, so I didn't get photos until today. But then I went overboard on the pics, and I hope you'll bear with me. I won't show every pic I took, but I'll probably post more than the average number for a "Lambsfoot Has Landed" post.

I first want to join the chorus expressing our thanks to Jack for making all this happiness happen! But I'd like to specifically thank Jack for the care he took in preparing the packages for shipment. We've all seen the results, but I'm going to document mine here. I first saw this large plastic pouch with many stickers of various kinds. One end was stamped with "FRAGILE" in large letters (for a moment I thought the package had come from Italy ). There was also a customs declaration sticker nearby. But wait - I ordered an ebony lambsfoot, but there appear to be THREE items listed on the customs form?
View attachment 916982
The 3rd and 4th row look familiar, and what I'd been eagerly awaiting: "1 bespoke Lambsfoot Slipjoint". (I have a bespoke knife!! ) But I can't make out what the other two lines say. Maybe the top one is "1 bridge adjunct"? Some kind of card game?? And the second item looks like "1 lb ear-nut", but the package doesn't feel that heavy. Maybe it's all a ploy to keep the customs officials satisfied.

Inside the white pouch was a smaller manila envelope, again with my full address on the outside:
View attachment 916986
Upon opening that inner envelope, I found 3 items: a plastic tub with lid taped on (and addressed again to me), a "reversible" beverage coaster, and a Yorkshire magnet! I'll bet "bridge adjunct" was actually "fridge magnet" and "1 lb ear-nut" might have been "1 beer mat"? Good stuff, Jack; thanks!! Here are the fronts and backs, respectively, of the latter two items:
View attachment 916988 View attachment 916998
Unfortunately, I had been "playing" with the magnet, tossing it at a file cabinet to make it stick near a target, before I realized, per the small print on the back, that it was NOT a toy! (I'm also not sure I'm a "proper pub person". ) Here's the magnet on an office file cabinet with other magnets stuck to that furniture:
View attachment 916999
Here's the "inmost tub":
View attachment 917003
Upon opening the tub, I found unsalted circus peanuts and a bubble-wrap cocoon:
View attachment 917004
I suspect that the cocoon holds what I've been eagerly anticipating with bated breath for over a week as I kept an active tracking tab in my browser.
View attachment 917007
I'll save the "big reveal" for my next post!

- GT

Great post, GT!

I'm embarrassed to say that I received my Ebony and Horn 2018 Guardians Lambsfoot knives a week ago, and haven't yet had a chance to take or post any pictures of them. We closed on a house last Tuesday, and I've been busy painting and working on a few small projects so we can move in over the next couple weeks. There's still more to do, but I'll try to get some pictures up this weekend.

 

[sitflyer]

Yes indeed While they can be very frustrating to deal with, unlike most other manufacturers making the claim, their knives are genuinely handmade, and could not be made more traditionally. They also provide excellent value for money I think

Jack, this is the thing that makes these knives so incredibly precious to me. Having seen your pics of the shop in the past, and knowing that these knives are crafted in small batches with such an incredible amount of hand work, it blows my mind that such things are even obtainable for the price in this day and age. I can never thank you enough for helping put the examples of these fine blades into my hands, and trust me, they are truly among the favorite cutters in my collection.

 

[Pàdruig]

Well, I am happy you have defeated the intransigence and incompetence of the Post Office Dylan!!
Whatever happened to the motto, "neither rain, nor sleet nor snow shall stop the mail!" or whatever??
Easy to forget the hassle when you open the package to see such wonderful knives!!
Nice going Jack Black ! We owe's ya boy!!

Agreed, Charlie! My frustrations are certainly gone. Knives have a way of doing that.

I am drinking a few libations in Jack's honor this evening. I only wish I could treat him to a few in person. Perhaps someday.

 

[Jack Black]

View attachment 916998

Thank you very much for those most extensive and excellent post GT I'm glad the ebony Lambsfoot made it from my kitchen table, across the pond, to your hands The reason for the beer-mat (apart from a certain amount of camouflage at the post office) is that The Blue Bell is the pub I recommended in York, which your wife and daughter didn't like the look of I've had that beer-mat sitting in a drawer for about a year, meaning to send it to you

Very nice, is that a stainless blade? Slipjoint sleuths will notice a certain familiarity about that horn

Hey, that's the year before I was born!



Jack, I'm sorry to hear that Wright's mixed up the bolsters, but I have to say, I like that Ebony 2018 Guardians Lambsfoot has the same bolsters as last year's Horn Guardians Lambsfoot, and that the special Horn knife this year has something different, particularly since the horn came out more similar to last year's than I know you were hoping for. (Also, I really like the threaded bolster!)

LOL!

What actually happened is that they mixed the bolsters up, producing 15 ebony knives with fluted bolsters, when they should have been rat-tail bolsters. As you can imagine, my jaw hit the floor when I saw the inexplicable mistake! I asked them to make them again with the rat-tail bolsters, but because I didn't want the knives made in error turning up for sale elsewhere, I had to agree to buy them (and in fact I paid for all the mistakes and samples). When the horn turned out to be more similar to last year's horn than I would have liked (and completely contrary to what I'd been promised), I asked that they be made with a rat-tail bolster to distinguish them, and that the ebony knives have the fluted bolster. So more ebony knives were made. We got a threaded bolster rather than the rat-tail one I'd provided photos and a sample of, but by that point they were two months over schedule. So a total PITA, (and an unnecessarily costly exercise for me), but I think we got some nice knives in the end anyway

Charlie, I believe the full motto (as inscribed on the James Farley Post Office in NYC) reads, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." It doesn't say anything about them actually getting your mail to you.

Jack, this is the thing that makes these knives so incredibly precious to me. Having seen your pics of the shop in the past, and knowing that these knives are crafted in small batches with such an incredible amount of hand work, it blows my mind that such things are even obtainable for the price in this day and age. I can never thank you enough for helping put the examples of these fine blades into my hands, and trust me, they are truly among the favorite cutters in my collection.

That's great to hear my friend

Agreed, Charlie! My frustrations are certainly gone. Knives have a way of doing that.

I am drinking a few libations in Jack's honor this evening. I only wish I could treat him to a few in person. Perhaps someday.

Thanks Dylan One day, I hope Great pic my friend

Have a great weekend Guardians