Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[Jack Black]

Good post Barrett, and plenty of food for thought (and discussion) there Your new ebony Lambsfoot looks good by the way :thumbup: I have seen some variation between the A.Wright knives, but I don't think I've seen one like your buffalo model, with the very shallow nail-nick and badly struck stamp. The A.Wright stamps are put in with a press, so the stamp should be even - though they're all done individually, so there is room for error.

I got my own ebony Lambsfoot from a dealer I've not dealt with since, I suspect the number of knives they sell is small, so stock could hang around a while. Contrary to my specifications, I received a knife with the generic Sheffield tang-stamp rather than the A.Wright one. The knife was such a nice one, that I decided to keep it anyway. THe blade is mirror-polished, and I assumed they were like that as standard, but when I asked John Maleham about this recently, he told me the satin finish is standard on that knife. Wright's don't seem to be using the 'Real Lambfoot' etch much at the moment either, which I think is a shame, particularly as they have a great old etching machine.

I've found the edges on my knives OK, and easy to sharpen, but I do think they can thicken at the choil I think. What I'll do later, if I get time, is photograph my A.Wright Lambsfoot knives together. I was noticing last night that my buffalo Lambsfoot is due for sharpening, (been using it on a lot of cardboard), so that's something else for me to do

 

[Jack Black]

Not the best pic I'm afraid, but here's mine. I'd say I've been lucky, but they mostly came from different sources (L to R, Gift from Bonzodog, purchased from online retailer, purchased direct from A.Wright & Son, purchased from different online retailer, purchased from the same online retailer as the previous (ebony) Lambsfoot, but a year or so apart)

 

[spycycle]

Interesting to see this much blade variation on a single pattern from a single maker. I kind of like it - adds even more character to a collection! Barrett - a combination of your two blades (slight upsweep to the point, plus a nice little swedge) might make the perfect user in my book.

Still eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first lambsfoot so I can be 'officially' brought into the club...

 

[Cory Hess]

It's very interesting to see the differences in the blades all coming out of the same factory. Barrett's blades are different enough that if I didn't know better I'd say that they were made by two different companies, or off of two different patterns. Jack's also show an incredible amount of variation, though not quite as much as Barrett's examples. The blade profile is significantly different, especially where the spine dips down to meet the edge. Some have rounded, wharncliffe like profiles while others are sharper almost like a coping blade. The choils are noticeably different, with the one all the way to the right being different enough to again make it seem like it should be from a different company. However, the most striking thing to me is the differences in the plunge lines. The blade second from the left looks to have a pretty crisp plunge line that's perpendicular to the spine, whereas the one second from the right has a washed out plunge line that sweeps up dramatically towards the spine.

These aren't criticisms mind you. I don't think that a little uniqueness is a bad thing. What do you think the reason is for these differences? Is there a high turnover rate at the factory so that different crews would be making these knives by hand and coming up with different results? Are the stamps and forms worn to where one batch of knives would have a lot of variation? I'm so used to seeing the blades from multiple examples of a single pattern from a single maker be identical that it's surprising to me that there's this much variance. I'd love more information on the whys and hows if anybody has some insight.

 

[Bartleby]

Most of the differences seem to be variations of fit and finish, much of which seems to have been done by eye. In looking at most Sheffield makers of working knives (like the late Trevor Ablett's work), there seems to be a bit of variation from each individual, even with a great deal of experience, from batch to batch. I would think this would be compounded by having more than one individual doing the work. Each person will have their own slightly different take on how the pattern should be realized, although over time people working closely together do tend to share methods. As Cory points out, this quirkiness can be a good thing--as long as it is not used to pass off an error that interferes with function.

 

[Jack Black]

The camera angle possibly overemphasises certain differences between the blades. I think the blades start off as one or another basic shape, but then their grinding also depends upon the pattern, as well as the cutler doing the grinding. It'd be interesting to see how much variation there is with Lambsfoot knives of the SAME pattern, but since they are handmade knives, there will be some

 

[screened porch]

This is the sort of variation you get in fine hand work.

 

[WhittlinAway]

It's fun to see all the variations. I have two A. Wright Lambsfoot knives. My first is in buffalo horn and the second in ebony. I hadn't looked closely for differences before, but there are some indeed. The ebony has a crisper tang stamp and its nail nick is both longer and further from the spine than the buffalo. Any picture I post now will be a more shadow than knife, but I'll try to contribute some tomorrow morning.

 

[Cambertree]

If I could take a moment to vent about one thing I've found a bit irksome with A. Wright's knives (or at least those that I've received, which include these two and an Ettrick I just got in with the Ebony Lambsfoot), it's that I find the factory edge rather difficult to sharpen. The grind/bevel tends to be inconsistent, the edge angle can change from one point to another along the blade, and the edge gets particularly thick near the tang (I posted recently about widening/deepening the sharpening choil to help alleviate this on my Buffalo Lambsfoot). It just seems like these blades take a lot of reprofiling to get an edge I'm happy with sharpening on flat stones (I use two DMT Diasharp continuous-surface stones in Fine -- which is fairly coarse -- and Extra Fine). Maybe it's just my sharpening skills (I've only been sharpening for a few years, though I'm very happy with the results I get with GEC, Case, SAK, U.S.A. Schrade, etc., and have never had the kind of trouble sharpening any of those that I've had with these), and perhaps these would be easier to sharpen with some sort of rod system or using a powered belt sharpener, but I don't think a straight edged knife shouldn't be this difficult to sharpen on a flat stone. Has anyone else has had difficulty sharpening/reprofiling their A. Wright knives? I'm also open to any and all suggestions.

Difficult edges notwithstanding, I must say that I do appreciate these knives, and I'm glad that A. Wright's is still around producing these wonderful old Sheffield patterns at very reasonable prices. :thumbup:

Barrett, I noticed the same issues you had to contend with, regarding the Wright blades' edges and flats being a bit wavy and out of true.

Like you, I mainly use benchstones (mostly Naniwa Chosera waterstones) for sharpening, but taking material off with a flat stone produced some noticeably uneven looking edge bevels. In the end I decided to just use the Sharpmaker, as the best course of action.

On my ebony lambsfoot, I just rough ground a reasonably true 15 degree bevel with the diamond rods, then worked up through the medium/fine/ultrafine rod progression and a light strop on 1 micron diamond pasted leather.

And I also agree that these knives are a pleasure to use, both for the link to a living Sheffield maker, and the pattern itself.

My ebony Lambsfoot is one of those select user knives for me, now - those ones that you put into your pocket in the morning every day, without even thinking. And likewise whenever I need a cutting tool, it's out and job done and back in the pocket with no bother.

Here it is, up in the Victorian High Country, a couple of weekends ago. It was a fine camp and cooking knife.

 

[btb01]

Thanks for the comments guys, and thank you Jack for posting your comparison photo as well. It is really interesting to see all the little variations, and I think the two I have just represent a lot of those little difference all at once.

I hope my venting about sharpening doesn't put anyone off trying one of these knives; you definitely should. They did take me a little more work than usual to sharpen for the first time, but after that, they're good to go. (I always like sharpening knives right when I get them so that when they need to be resharpened, I know it'll be quick and easy.)

I'll have to search for the Ettrick thread so I can post the A. Wright Rosewood Ettrick that I ordered along with the Ebony Lambsfoot. :thumbup:

 

[Cambertree]

Thanks for the comments guys...

I hope my venting about sharpening doesn't put anyone off trying one of these knives; you definitely should. They did take me a little more work than usual to sharpen for the first time, but after that, they're good to go. (I always like sharpening knives right when I get them so that when they need to be resharpened, I know it'll be quick and easy.)

I'll have to search for the Ettrick thread so I can post the A. Wright Rosewood Ettrick that I ordered along with the Ebony Lambsfoot. :thumbup:

No worries, Barrett.:thumbup:

One of the enjoyments of knife accumulation for me, is that same immediate sharpening regime you do.

I'll head over to the Ettrick thread shortly!

 

[Cambertree]

Now the spirit of generosity that is evident on the Porch is well known by all of us here. Hardly a day goes by without someone being the recipient of a gracious and thoughtful gesture by a person whom they have never met outside this forum.

After some comments here previously, on Arthur Wright's lefty range, and the dearth of lefty traditionals in general, Charlie C. - waynorth - got in touch and mentioned he had a lefty Lambsfoot, if I was interested. I said sure.

Shortly after, Charlie got in touch again, and said that as it wasn't quite what he would have hand selected, had he been able to, that he was going to gift it to me!

Thanks very much, Charlie!:thumbup:

Your thoughtful gift is much appreciated, and will certainly see some work! And I'm tickled to finally have a real Lefty Traditional after all these years. Nail nick, blade etch, tang stamp and all on the pile side!

I'm also enjoying contemplating the differences between this almost Barlow, swell end style handle, compared to the more traditional swayback...:thumbup:

 

[Jack Black]

Great to see the Lambsfoot thread ticking along Really enjoying reading everyone's posts

It's fun to see all the variations. I have two A. Wright Lambsfoot knives. My first is in buffalo horn and the second in ebony. I hadn't looked closely for differences before, but there are some indeed. The ebony has a crisper tang stamp and its nail nick is both longer and further from the spine than the buffalo. Any picture I post now will be a more shadow than knife, but I'll try to contribute some tomorrow morning.

The stamps are put in individually using an ancient foot-operated press (30 or 50 tons I think). I'll try and get a pic sometime (the same room was being used for forging the last time I visited). Basically, the cutler pushes the tang stamp into position, and lowers the stamp by means of a foot-pedal, so there are inevitably some small variations in terms of position, but also in depth. I'm not sure how the nail-nicks are put in, but it may be in the same way. Look forward to seeing your pic my friend

My ebony Lambsfoot is one of those select knives for me, now - those ones that you put into your pocket in the morning every day, without even thinking. And likewise whenever I need a cutting tool, it's out and job done and back in the pocket with no bother.

Here it is, up in the Victorian High Country, a couple of weekends ago. It was a fine camp and cooking knife.

Nice to hear that Chin, and that's a great pic

Well done Charlie! Congratulations Chin, Wright's have produced a Lefty Lambsfoot for a long time now, so I guess there is definitely a demand for them. I don't know how many different versions they do, but certainly they make a Lefty Swayback. Be interested to hear how you find that one my friend

 

[WhittlinAway]

Not a great picture, but it does show the differences between mine:

The distance from the spine to the top of the nail nick is about 0.07" on the buffalo and 0.11" on the ebony. The ebony still has the factory edge; I've put a more acute edge on the buffalo.

Chin, congrats on your new lefty lambsfoot. That was very nice of Charlie. :thumbup:

 

[Cambertree]

Thanks guys.:thumbup:

Here are my Wright Lambsfoot tang stamps and blades. The stamps are all pretty cleanly struck.

My horn covered Lambsfoot is a bit thinner and sleeker in the handle and blade than the ebony version. The stag lefty and the ebony seem to have the same blade blank. You can actually see on the Lefty, the thicker area down near the tang, where the new sharpening hasn't quite ground down to meet the edge apex area yet.

The lines of the swayback handle are also different on the ebony and Ox-horn knives.

The timber covered, medium size Wrights all pretty much seem to have a straight line on the underside of the handle, when open, from the bolster to where your pinky would rest.

My Ox-horn Lambsfoot has a much more classic handle profile, with the flowing line on the underside of the handle to the pinky area echoing the top curve of the swayback palmswell.

I like this shape very much. To me it is the classic Lambsfoot, as well as being slightly more comfortable in the hand. It reminds me of the organic shape of some of those handles in Smith's Key of 1816.

This jigged bone handled Unity (at right) has just a hint of that underside handle curve:

Some of you Guardian regulars might remember that last year, I showed some very fine examples from another member, 1500international's collection.

http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/guardians-of-the-lambsfoot.1406735/page-26#post-16739080

At the time there was a particular Lambsfoot in a group photo which Jack asked about, but which I had neglected to take a close up shot of.

So when I had the pleasure of catching up with 1500international again recently, and seeing some more of his collection, I took the opportunity to get some photos of this fine Lambsfoot - a Harrison Brothers and Howson.

That 'The Alpha Knife' blade stamp is one of my favourites. It also has that classic curve on the underside of the handle. Look at how the feathering on the buffalo horn covers has also been carefully selected and fitted to accentuate that curve.

'Square and clean' joints:

My vote, should GEC ever do a Real Lambsfoot rendition, would be for that classic handle and blade shape of the two horn covered Lambsfoots. To me, both the Wright knife and the superb Harrison Bros. and Howson above, have just about the perfect shape for the pattern IMHO.

 

[spycycle]

[video]https://youtu.be/-rdJvTILsek[/video]

Interesting video from Japanese TV about Sheffield knife history, featuring some lambsfoot knives!

 

[Jack Black]

Hope to catch up with you soon folks

 

[Jack Black]

Last week, I visited the Arthur Wright factory again, with Herder (see Visiting Arthur Wright & Son (Pics)), whom I hope will be applying for Guardians membership soon When I saw these Lambsfoot knives in 'Special Buffalo'...



...I couldn't resist enquiring if I could purchase one of them. I had one in mind from the start, but John Maleham, who had come in on his holiday especially to show us around, let me see a few more. I have to say, they were all pretty gorgeous, and my head hurt a little at the thought of choosing! So, I went for my original choice, and I'm certainly not disappointed



This is the larger style of Lambsfoot which Wright's produce, with a blade of just under 3", and a closed size of 4". Here it is compared to my standard sized Lambsfoot in 'Special Buffalo'



The pile side doesn't have the 'feathering' of the mark side, but is of the same toffee brown colour, and nicely matched I think. I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty more of this one

 

[waynorth]

Gorgeous knife, Jack!! You are fortunate to be able to go and select/buy direct!!

 

[AShearer]

Last week, I visited the Arthur Wright factory again, with Herder (see Visiting Arthur Wright & Son (Pics)), whom I hope will be applying for Guardians membership soon When I saw these Lambsfoot knives in 'Special Buffalo'...



...I couldn't resist enquiring if I could purchase one of them. I had one in mind from the start, but John Maleham, who had come in on his holiday especially to show us around, let me see a few more. I have to say, they were all pretty gorgeous, and my head hurt a little at the thought of choosing! So, I went for my original choice, and I'm certainly not disappointed



This is the larger style of Lambsfoot which Wright's produce, with a blade of just under 3", and a closed size of 4". Here it is compared to my standard sized Lambsfoot in 'Special Buffalo'



The pile side doesn't have the 'feathering' of the mark side, but is of the same toffee brown colour, and nicely matched I think. I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty more of this one

Already said it, but they are just real beauties Jack. I can see why you went with that one.