Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[Jack Black]

I definitely see the family resemblance. It's probably less awkward given its straight handle, where the swayback shape tends to force the tip even higher. Cool find, my friend.

Thanks John, I see them not too infrequently, but I thought I'd buy one to raise the discussion here. I was checking back to the early part of the thread, but so many photos are missing now unfortunately

Glad you were able to quickly stop by the Market. Early September appointment isn't too terrible.

Super cool picture of your Lambsfoot.

Thanks mate, I hope I'm not waiting too long to get to see a specialist at the hospital, after I have seen the doctor for a referral, but waiting times are ridiculous here at the moment

 

[screened porch]

 

[SteveC]

Super cool picture of your Lambsfoot.

Thanks !

 

[cigarrodog]

cudgee - Hang in there, Brother. You’re a good Man. Not a troll. Still…A good reflection is never wasted. Do your thing and come back soon.

Good Morning Guardians
I've been Totin' the Charlie Lamb a lot more. It took me a while to get used to its "defect".
View attachment 1903443

Looking sharp.

I picked up a few bits and pieces in the market I bought the old 'Shoe Knife' because they have been discussed here before, more than once, in the early part of the thread, when we spent a fair bit of time ruminating about the origins of the Lambsfoot pattern. Cobbler's and shoemaker's knives, came in a a number of patterns, some of which were later recycled for 'Lino Knives', but a number of the more common patterns have a straight edge which, like our beloved Lambsfoot knives, is not parallel to the spine. In this case, the spine is straight, without any cant, (a bit like John's Charlie Lamb), with the blade sloping upwards, rather than having the spine sloping down, as is usual with a Lambsfoot. I often wonder, and marvel, at the magic that those special angles bring to the Lambsfoot pattern, why they work so well, and how they came about. These Shoe Knives are a much older pattern than the Lambsfoot, but someone clearly decided that there was an advantage to that blade geometry. I'm not saying that there's any direct connection to the Lambsfoot, I really have no idea, but these knives are the only other traditional knife patterns I know of, which have that combination of a straight edge, and a spine which isn't parallel. Any thought, ideas, insight welcome Guardians

Hope your today’s journey will bring answers to facilitate healing.

My uneducated guess is that the Viking seax evolved over time and each group modified the the blade to suit the specific required function. Remember…I did say it was an uneducated guess.

Thanks Jack Black and John DF

Jack Said:
Congratulations, and welcome to the Guardians! I hope you enjoy using your new Lambsfoot

John DF said :
Very nice, and welcome to the Guardians.
Flush springs too??? I'd imagine that quite rare, none of mine have had flush springs.

Yes, the knife will get used. I cut up an apple this AM and already started getting a patina.

Yes, I feel quite lucky to have pretty much flush springs

I do have a questionn on the rosewood. As you can see from the photo's the open grain veins look white or light compared to the surface wood. I have rubebd with a little oil but it comes back. Will these eventually darken up with use and absorption of oil grime etc? I would much rather see dark open grain line that the light ones.

Welcome. I’m one of those Guardians who love the Senator pattern. The covers are beautiful. Even with the lighter lines, which I imagine will darken over time with regular carry. It’s a handsome Lambfoot.

Good Morning Guardians

 

[Jack Black]

Hope your today’s journey will bring answers to facilitate healing.

Thanks Harvey, I'm pretty exhausted at the moment, but hopefully tomorrow will be better day

My uneducated guess is that the Viking seax evolved over time and each group modified the the blade to suit the specific required function. Remember…I did say it was an uneducated guess.

There's no doubt that many of the earliest knives we know of, even pre-dating the Seax, had straight-edged blades, and I have posted a photo of an uncannily Lamb-like folder in the past, which if I remember correctly, is from ancient Sumaria!

Good Morning Guardians

A fine-looking Lambsfoot my friend

Here's to our pal Down Under

 

[cigarrodog]

A fine-looking Lambsfoot my friend

Thank you Jack.

 

[JohnDF]

Looking sharp.

... and looking for love.

I really like that dramatic color variation.

 

[Jack Black]

I'm ready for when the lights go out!

 

[Tyson A Wright]

That's pretty good advice my friend

Thanks John, I took a walking cane out with me, made a brief visit to the market, and also to the doctor's - earliest appointment to see one in person was September 7th I'm hoping I didn't overdo it

It's a looker John, interesting thought, and it ties in with something I picked up today, which I wanted to bring up for discussion again

I picked up a few bits and pieces in the market I bought the old 'Shoe Knife' because they have been discussed here before, more than once, in the early part of the thread, when we spent a fair bit of time ruminating about the origins of the Lambsfoot pattern. Cobbler's and shoemaker's knives, came in a a number of patterns, some of which were later recycled for 'Lino Knives', but a number of the more common patterns have a straight edge which, like our beloved Lambsfoot knives, is not parallel to the spine. In this case, the spine is straight, without any cant, (a bit like John's Charlie Lamb), with the blade sloping upwards, rather than having the spine sloping down, as is usual with a Lambsfoot. I often wonder, and marvel, at the magic that those special angles bring to the Lambsfoot pattern, why they work so well, and how they came about. These Shoe Knives are a much older pattern than the Lambsfoot, but someone clearly decided that there was an advantage to that blade geometry. I'm not saying that there's any direct connection to the Lambsfoot, I really have no idea, but these knives are the only other traditional knife patterns I know of, which have that combination of a straight edge, and a spine which isn't parallel. Any thought, ideas, insight welcome Guardians

That's interesting, Jack Black . R. Murphy Knives here in the US still make shoe knives, but they are either parallel edges with a squared-off tip, or essentially Wharncliffe pattern blades. Are all the English shoe knives like this, or is this just one variation? Do any of the English cutlers still make these?

Thanks Jack Black and John DF

Jack Said:
Congratulations, and welcome to the Guardians! I hope you enjoy using your new Lambsfoot

John DF said :
Very nice, and welcome to the Guardians.
Flush springs too??? I'd imagine that quite rare, none of mine have had flush springs.

Yes, the knife will get used. I cut up an apple this AM and already started getting a patina.

Yes, I feel quite lucky to have pretty much flush springs

I do have a questionn on the rosewood. As you can see from the photo's the open grain veins look white or light compared to the surface wood. I have rubebd with a little oil but it comes back. Will these eventually darken up with use and absorption of oil grime etc? I would much rather see dark open grain line that the light ones.

That looks like buffing compound that got forced into the grain during final polishing. Rubbing alcohol can help remove it, but make sure you put a little oil on it right afterward (I like food-grade mineral oil, because it won't go rancid, but is also food safe, and I do occasionally use pocket knives for food prep).

 

[Jack Black]

That's interesting, Jack Black . R. Murphy Knives here in the US still make shoe knives, but they are either parallel edges with a squared-off tip, or essentially Wharncliffe pattern blades. Are all the English shoe knives like this, or is this just one variation? Do any of the English cutlers still make these?

That's very interesting Tyson, I've seen English ones with a squared end, and also ones with parallel edge/spine, as well as hawkbills. I think a few are still made in Sheffield, and the patterns haven't really changed. George Barnsley was one of the big producers of these knives, and there factory is still standing. They were still using much the same production methods when the factory closed down a few decades back. I do have a catalogue page, but there's no real Lambsfoot connection with the knives included

 

[Jack Black]

Guardians thread is spending a lot of time on page 2 lately Guardians

 

[cigarrodog]

Guardians thread is spending a lot of time on page 2 lately Guardians

I’ve noticed it, too,

 

[Jack Black]

I’ve noticed it, too,

Sad to see my friend

 

[cigarrodog]

Sad to see my friend

Perhaps a temporary lapse, one must hope.

 

[Jack Black]

Perhaps a temporary lapse, one must hope.

I hope so Harvey

 

[sceva]

That's interesting, Jack Black . R. Murphy Knives here in the US still make shoe knives, but they are either parallel edges with a squared-off tip, or essentially Wharncliffe pattern blades. Are all the English shoe knives like this, or is this just one variation? Do any of the English cutlers still make these?



That looks like buffing compound that got forced into the grain during final polishing. Rubbing alcohol can help remove it, but make sure you put a little oil on it right afterward (I like food-grade mineral oil, because it won't go rancid, but is also food safe, and I do occasionally use pocket knives for food prep).

Thank You. Tried that; it was getting better but not perfect. I finally tried one of my Grandson's Crayola Brown markers which has a pointed tip. Rubbed it along the open grain then buffed it back off with a paper towel. It's looking pretty good to me now.

Darn! Took the photos and dropped the knife in the driveway. Burred the point slightly; luckily I was able to straighten it out without any major damage. Lucky me.

 

[JohnDF]

Guardians thread is spending a lot of time on page 2 lately Guardians

Sorry... School started again.

 

[echoscout]

Thank you kindly good sir That looks like an interesting read

Afternoon Guardians! It is an interesting read. I rather enjoyed it. Mr Hamilton was a real frontiersman. Got the Big Horn Lamb today.

 

[Jack Black]

Thank You. Tried that; it was getting better but not perfect. I finally tried one of my Grandson's Crayola Brown markers which has a pointed tip. Rubbed it along the open grain then buffed it back off with a paper towel. It's looking pretty good to me now.

Darn! Took the photos and dropped the knife in the driveway. Burred the point slightly; luckily I was able to straighten it out without any major damage. Lucky me.

That looks better, I hope the point is ok

Sorry... School started again.

I forgot about that! And Todd is back now too

Afternoon Guardians! It is an interesting read. I rather enjoyed it. Mr Hamilton was a real frontiersman. Got the Big Horn Lamb today.

View attachment 1903921

He looks the part! Great-looking Lambsfoot

 

[euroken]

My new two blade has taken most of my pocket time lately...but the trusty single blade is still around!