Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[Heimdall82]

Exactly, once you remove material it can't be put back. This can be a common problem with stag, there are many photos on the forum from all makers with members showing exactly this issue with their stag covers. I have a GEC, the supposed holy grail with this problem, if i saw it in person i would never had purchased it, but now i'm stuck with it. Stag is a natural resource and you just take what you get. If you sand this down, you will have a thinner cover yes, but you will have to take a lot off, and then you will have stag on one side, and stag that looks like white smooth bone on the other side. If you want more balanced covers and are okay with that outcome then go for it. But one problem you will run into is, the brass pins will have to also be sanded down to the level of the bone, and this is not only difficult, but then you will have to splay and flatten the top of the pins, other wise you risk the covers just coming off, especially if you remove a lot of the stag. I am not being critical of what you are trying to achieve, just pointing out the pitfalls and problems which may arise, trust me, i speak from experience.

Good to know! Thanks for the advice, i think i'll keep it like that for now. If one day it really bothers me than i'll try to sand it down... but only if i plan a complete recover alternative.

 

[cudgee]

Good to know! Thanks for the advice, i think i'll keep it like that for now. If one day it really bothers me than i'll try to sand it down... but only if i plan a complete recover alternative.

No worries. Just keep it and use it, you say it feels good in the hand, it is a tool, so when you pick it up and if feels good in the hand, you have a good working implement. Keep it sharp, if it's sharp and feels good to use, you have a winner. One thing about this stag, the more you use it, the better it will feel and look, it does get a really good smooth feel to it with use, mine has anyway.

 

[Jack Black]

A good tale and a great movie, Jack.

Thanks Jeff, some lines just stick with you "Chefs do that!"

My Jack Black SFO from Pàdruig arrived yesterday. What a beautiful knife. I am thrilled to add it to my collection. Thank you so much for your generosity, Dylan. I really appreciate it!

That was such a kind gesture I hope you're going to enjoy using it Here's some of the others from the 2019 run

I Franck ly enjoyed the story.

Just got my new A.Wright lambfoot in stag today! Kinda very weird stag shape for sure.... but fit the hand nicely. Action is better than the buffalo horn i had before, at least, this one is not a nail breaker! Edge geometry is also better than my old one... I'll probably try to sand off a little of that fat scale side. Still very happy to have a lambfoot back in the collection!

That fat-cut stag is a sign of the inability of Sheffield cutlers to cut stag properly anymore unfortunately. Considering that Pere David stag has very little character anyway, it makes even less sense to cut it thick, and then grind off what little 'bark' there is, but it's easier to do. Even then, there's no reason why it couldn't be ground evenly though. I've seen worse I'm afraid, and don't think your example is unusually bad. Hopefully it'll make a good user

Beer is glorious. Glad it came up to your taste with age. Here is a H&G. Brewery started in Austin then move to San Marcos, TX. They make fine suds. I love the “Zoe”. If you visit or can find it, this is a strong recommendation of mine.

View attachment 1797061

Definitely Pete I think I left that last bottle too long, ended up tipping the last third of it, and opening something else. Thanks for the tip, the way beers get around these days, you never know, I'll look out for it Great pic Sorry for the split quote, not sure what was going on there!

Exactly, once you remove material it can't be put back. This can be a common problem with stag, there are many photos on the forum from all makers with members showing exactly this issue with their stag covers. I have a GEC, the supposed holy grail with this problem, if i saw it in person i would never had purchased it, but now i'm stuck with it. Stag is a natural resource and you just take what you get. If you sand this down, you will have a thinner cover yes, but you will have to take a lot off, and then you will have stag on one side, and stag that looks like white smooth bone on the other side. If you want more balanced covers and are okay with that outcome then go for it. But one problem you will run into is, the brass pins will have to also be sanded down to the level of the bone, and this is not only difficult, but then you will have to splay and flatten the top of the pins, other wise you risk the covers just coming off, especially if you remove a lot of the stag. I am not being critical of what you are trying to achieve, just pointing out the pitfalls and problems which may arise, trust me, i speak from experience.

Lots of good advice my friend It's certainly true that these issues are not confined to Sheffield. I've only sanded stag once, and it was on a GEC (slightly different reason)

Well Jack, he did have a point! Many of those older gentleman had a grasp on this world like most of us will never have ! I miss many of them every day.

Yes, he had some funny sayings

View attachment 1797093
Got home from our quick trip a couple hours ago and took an evening stroll with the Beagle around the property to unwind . Found this little token of good luck ! The tree the Lambfoot is on is the tallest on my property , it’s a bald cypress that really shouldn’t be growing in Southern Ohio. Doing the geometry on her I estimate her to be right around 120 feet or 36 meters tall [if I did the math right ]!

Cool pic That sounds like quite a tree (though I'm a bit clueless when it comes to metric)

Good to know! Thanks for the advice, i think i'll keep it like that for now. If one day it really bothers me than i'll try to sand it down... but only if i plan a complete recover alternative.

I think it's excellent advice, and would also advise caution, for all the reasons Leon gives, not least the scales coming loose altogether. Sanding off any sharp corners is a different matter, but Pere David stag is pretty smooth, and you may grow to like the shape. If you don't get to like the knife, members like glennbad or J jsdistin will do you a great re-cover

No worries. Just keep it and use it, you say it feels good in the hand, it is a tool, so when you pick it up and if feels good in the hand, you have a good working implement. Keep it sharp, if it's sharp and feels good to use, you have a winner. One thing about this stag, the more you use it, the better it will feel and look, it does get a really good smooth feel to it with use, mine has anyway.

You're on a roll today mate, well done

Good morning Guardians, it's good to see this thread so active again, and thanks to the steadfast Guardians who have kept this thread on page one throughout It's nice also to see our longstanding members helping out those who are new to the pattern What a great thread, and a great bunch of folks, and here we are approaching 60,000 posts Hope everyone's week is going well so far. I'm just waiting in for a few deliveries this morning, going to try not to put my back out putting the groceries away! Thought I'd carry this J jsdistin Giraffe Bone re-cover today. It was a gift from my pal Reaper AL , who I've not heard from in a while, so I hope he's OK. The same goes for all our other absent Guardians, hope you're keeping well guys Have a good day Guardians

 

[Pt-Luso]

 

[cudgee]

You're on a roll today mate, well done

It'll be all downhill from here.

 

[Jack Black]

It'll be all downhill from here.

 

[Jack Black]

My grocery order came on time, so I'm just waiting for the postman now, so that I can go out. Keeping myself going with one of these delicious, but somewhat miniscule, Spanish lemon cheesecakes

 

[screened porch]

one of these delicious, but somewhat miniscule, Spanish lemon cheesecakes

You'd better have two.

99: "...conceals a minuscule tape recorder."
Max: "Eh,..."
Chief: "Teensy weensy."

 

[mcc850]

That was such a kind gesture I hope you're going to enjoy using it Here's some of the others from the 2019 run

I am certainly going to enjoy using it, Jack. Also wanted to tell you that these things are top notch. I am a sucker for a worked bolster, beautiful ironwood, and strong action. To me this is the knife of a gentleman. Nice work putting that SFO together. (Thanks again Pàdruig )

 

[screened porch]

 

[Onebigbill]

Good morning Guardians. Today is starting off warmer and sunny. Have a contractor coming out to give me an estimate on putting ing in a gas line which will then feed my soon-to-be-built fire pit. The only problem with these contractors is that they often do not show up when they say they will. Some times not at all. Seems to be a common issue around here and I simply do not understand it. We shall see how this fella does today.
I will be carrying my HHB again. It never fails me.

 

[Nankbrown21]

That was such a kind gesture I hope you're going to enjoy using it Here's some of the others from the 2019 run

Jack from scrolling through many of the pages of this thread it appears you have managed to put together some killer SFOs over the years! Great job !

Cool pic That sounds like quite a tree (though I'm a bit clueless when it comes to metric)

And Jack I’m terrible with metric , I know enough to rough out a number lol but since this thread seems to be worldwide I was trying to accommodate since it appears metric seems to be the standard! I know it breaks down into 10s but it still doesn’t make since to me

Good morning Guardians. Today is starting off warmer and sunny. Have a contractor coming out to give me an estimate on putting ing in a gas line which will then feed my soon-to-be-built fire pit. The only problem with these contractors is that they often do not show up when they say they will. Some times not at all. Seems to be a common issue around here and I simply do not understand it. We shall see how this fella does today.
I will be carrying my HHB again. It never fails me.
View attachment 1797307

These hartshead barlows are a fantastic looking specimen , the color on your stag is astounding !

Good morning Gaurdians! My short holiday is over and there is frost on the pumpkin here, makes me glad I only put out my cold crops in the garden last weekend when it was sunny and 75! Took the pup for a short stroll this morning before heading to the barbershop! Have a good day everyone !

 

[JohnDF]

I often think of some the old active members that just disappeared... and hope they are okay.
Every year it gets harder to remember their names, but I remember their posts and crazy antics... That will live on.

Very cute pup.

 

[JohnDF]

Good Morning Guardians
Every year it gets harder and harder to return to work after a vacation.
That's how I know I'm getting ready to retire. I used to get excited to return to work, but now... Not so much.

 

[Jack Black]

You'd better have two.

99: "...conceals a minuscule tape recorder."
Max: "Eh,..."
Chief: "Teensy weensy."

You twisted my arm Jer!

 

[Nankbrown21]

I often think of some the old active members that just disappeared... and hope they are okay.
Every year it gets harder to remember their names, but I remember their posts and crazy antics... That will live on.

Very cute pup.

Thank you! Anyone who has ever had a hand in raising dogs knows that there are some puppies that are never really a “puppy” and then there are those that are all “puppy” ….. well she is all puppy and full of energy and mischief!!

Good Morning Guardians
Every year it gets harder and harder to return to work after a vacation.
That's how I know I'm getting ready to retire. I used to get excited to return to work, but now... Not so much.

I understand that John, I’m not even close to retiring , but a walk along the creek bank sounded better than coming in to the shop this morning ! Good luck heading back sir !

 

[Jack Black]

I am certainly going to enjoy using it, Jack. Also wanted to tell you that these things are top notch. I am a sucker for a worked bolster, beautiful ironwood, and strong action. To me this is the knife of a gentleman. Nice work putting that SFO together. (Thanks again Pàdruig )

Thank you my friend, and congratulations once again on winning Pàdruig 's generous giveaway It was a nice thought to think of putting one into the hands of those who missed out on our annual Guardians knives It took a few trips to Sheffield for the cutlers to get the bolster right, and there was a similar struggle with the Ironwood, but we got there in the end

The Beast unleashed!

Good morning Guardians. Today is starting off warmer and sunny. Have a contractor coming out to give me an estimate on putting ing in a gas line which will then feed my soon-to-be-built fire pit. The only problem with these contractors is that they often do not show up when they say they will. Some times not at all. Seems to be a common issue around here and I simply do not understand it. We shall see how this fella does today.
I will be carrying my HHB again. It never fails me.
View attachment 1797307

It seems like contactors around the world have something in common Bill, it is just the same here I hope you make some progress, and don't wait in for nothing It's always great to see your Hartshead Barlow

Jack from scrolling through many of the pages of this thread it appears you have managed to put together some killer SFOs over the years! Great job !

Thank you very much, I'm afraid there probably won't be anymore, but it's nice to see them still being enjoyed

And Jack I’m terrible with metric , I know enough to rough out a number lol but since this thread seems to be worldwide I was trying to accommodate since it appears metric seems to be the standard! I know it breaks down into 10s but it still doesn’t make since to me

I sort of think of a metre as about 3 feet, but metric just doesn't register in my brain the same way! I'm sure many here appreciate your efforts though I know what you mean, it SHOULD be easier!

Good morning Gaurdians! My short holiday is over and there is frost on the pumpkin here, makes me glad I only put out my cold crops in the garden last weekend when it was sunny and 75! Took the pup for a short stroll this morning before heading to the barbershop! Have a good day everyone ! View attachment 1797318

Winter seems to be lasting for some of our Guardians, I hope your pumpkin is OK. The weather here is pretty nice today, and a lot of flowers are in bloom (I took the pic in my neighbours' garden yesterday) Sweet pup

I often think of some the old active members that just disappeared... and hope they are okay.
Every year it gets harder to remember their names, but I remember their posts and crazy antics... That will live on.

Yes, me too John From time to time I go back to find an old post, or to copy the link to the thread index, and am minded of folks that aren't here anymore I also hope they're all doing OK

Good Morning Guardians
Every year it gets harder and harder to return to work after a vacation.
That's how I know I'm getting ready to retire. I used to get excited to return to work, but now... Not so much.

I know what you mean buddy. I've been slipping into semi-retirement these past few years, and doing less work, but the state pension age is now 67 or 68. My dad was retired by my age. I remember as a kid, asking him about retirement, and he told me that by the time I got older, folks would be retiring at 50. In fact, it has gone the other way, and there are much older folks still having to work When I was a youth-worker years ago, I worked so much overtime that I had to take 5 weeks off work. When I came back, everyone thought I had left! Nice photo

 

[Jack Black]

I understand that John, I’m not even close to retiring , but a walk along the creek bank sounded better than coming in to the shop this morning ! Good luck heading back sir !

There's an old saying, "The things you give up in order to work are never replaced." I've been pretty lucky with work, being self-employed the past 30 youngers, but there are certainly times, when I was younger, that I've taken the walk along the creek bank!

 

[r8shell]

Why? i tought the worst that could happen is having a "white smooth side"? I never sanded stag before... but when 2 peoples told you the same thing, you start to feel nervous! hahaha maybe i'll keep it like that, the handle shape still fill the hand nicely.

My only concern would be if the stag isn't nice and solid throughout, you could expose some pith. I'd be inclined to just round down the corners, and see if that makes it more comfortable in hand. I did this on an ebony lambsfoot and removed a pretty small amount of material to make a big difference.
Before:

After:

 

[JohnDF]

It looks so much more comfortable.