Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[Jack Black]

Thanks for the historical videos, Jack!
Your 2018 GELF looks good for you, too, even in a pic free of a food context.


Will, I've lived my entire life in the U.S., driving on the right side of the road in cars that typically have the steering wheel on the left side of the car, nearest the center of the street. But in 1974, I bought a used AMC Ambassador from the US Post Office. It had the steering wheel on the right side of the car to facilitate a postal driver delivering mail to mailboxes on posts at the side of the street. (It also had no back seat for more storage of mail to be delivered.) I needed some time to adjust to driving from that unfamiliar perspective! I only had the car for a couple of months before a teen, high on illicit drugs and driving his girlfriend's car, "totaled" my car parked on the street in from of my apartment.





Great video, Jack! Both Stan Shaw and the knife he made you are impressively memorable!


RALF, your 2018 GELF, is looking very cosmopolitan, Jeff, sitting in Missouri next to a Chinese teapot and showing off his British tang stamp! Are you dealing with the snowstorm OK?


Ron, were you a baseball pitcher? If so, I'll bet you threw a mean curve ball! You're catching me flat-footed with that gorgeous ebony lambsfoot that's NOT a 2018 GELF!


I'm not really a coffee fan, but what you've shown with your lovely 2018 GELF, Dave, looks like it would have tastes that I'd enjoy!


I grew up on a farm, too, David, and spent a lot of hours in my youth in the seat of one tractor or another!
Your stout and pork pie look very appetizing! Do you ever ask for a lettuce leaf to satisfy your vegetable cravings??


Very cool Farmall pic (and other pics of tractors and other farm machinery), David! I'd guess most of my tractor hours were driving a Farmall H, raking hay or pulling wagons loaded with hay or straw bales and stacking the bales in the barn or pulling wagons loaded with haylage or corn silage and blowing it into silos. Our main tractor when I started was a Farmall M. My Dad usually drove that for mowing hay, baling hay (my youngest brother usually drove with my Dad on the wagon behind the baler), pulling the combine, running the corn picker, plowing, etc. We also had a little Allis Chalmers that we used for cultivating corn and general towing. When times got really busy we sometimes borrowed a little old Massey Ferguson from one of my grandfathers. At some point, my Dad bought a brand new Case 630 as our "big" tractor!









Krypto is superb AND super, Vince! Your comment about hockey players reminds me of something I read once where a rugby player denigrated football (soccer) players by noting that in rugby, players spend the entire game pretending they're not hurt, while in soccer players spend the entire game pretending they are.


Thanks for expanding my vocal, Dwight. I think we used to call anything we used to fasten machinery to the drawbar of a tractor a hitch pin or draw pin.





Welcome back, Chin! Fine ebony lambsfoot that predates the 2018 GELFs, I'd wager.


Thanks for the clarification on the pub name, Jack. Thanks also for the Cracker Jack compliment. And as long as the subject of waist sizes is being discussed, when did pants with odd numbered waist sizes disappear from many stores? 32" is really too tight for my comfort, and 34" falls down too easily (another advantage of my switch to suspenders ), but I can almost never find 33" pants.


Compromise is necessary in so many areas!


Great observation, John!

Since I restricted myself to ebony lambsfoot models in this post, I suppose I shouldn't post Cracker Jack photos here. Here's my 2018 GELF:
View attachment 1052869

- GT

Thanks for all the kind words GT I learned to drive in a LHD Willis Jeep with a broken hand-brake Hey, you're right about odd numbered waist sizes, I remember moving up to a 31", and then later a 33". I'm up to an even 38" now! But hoping to move down to a 36" Great-looking '18 GELF my friend

Gary I was not a baseball player or any other sport either! I went to work when I was 14 delivering papers after school. I mowed lawns in the summer. When I was in high school I worked in the afternoon and on weekends in a grocery store! Did I mention how much I am enjoying my retirement!!! Actually this beautiful Jet Black beauty came from Jack! His back was hurting back several years ago and he gave me this Lambsfoot to make it feel better!!!
Hint: emphasis on the word hurting!

Had to get you hooked somehow Ron

 

[Half/Stop]

Thanks for all the kind words GT I learned to drive in a LHD Willis Jeep with a broken hand-brake Hey, you're right about odd numbered waist sizes, I remember moving up to a 31", and then later a 33". I'm up to an even 38" now! But hoping to move down to a 36" Great-looking '18 GELF my friend



Had to get you hooked somehow Ron

It worked my friend! I’m definitely hooked!!!

 

[btb01]

Full immersion nooo! Barrett I used to live on the Lake of the woods Ontario 70 miles from International Falls Minnesota. I have seen -40F a fair few times
, the ice on the lake freezes 4 ft thick.

-40°F sounds a bit chilly , and 4 ft is a lot of ice!

We moved up here at the end of January last year, and the first six weeks or so were much colder than what we've had so far this winter. We're out by Lake Minnetonka, just west of Minneapolis. I don't know how thick the ice gets here, but I read this in an article in late April last year, a couple weeks before ice-out (which ended up tying the record for the latest ice-out date on Minnetonka, May 5th, previously set in 1857!):

Every day, a deputy from the Hennepin County Water Patrol heads out onto Lake Minnetonka. On Monday, Deputy Alan Lang let WCCO ride along in an airboat that glides over the ice as he measured the ice thickness in Spring Park Bay. The air temperature was 80 degrees, but the ice was 15.5 inches thick.

“We had 23 inches last Wednesday,” Deputy Lang said. “We’ve lost quite a bit. It starts getting thinner at the shore, works its way to the middle and eventually the ice will be floating around.”​

Barrett, my Dad would say you're a "glutton for punishment"! (We're under orders to increase lambsfoot content, so I'll modify my Dad's remark to "mutton for punishment".)

I think your dad might be right, GT! The last summer we lived in Arizona, we had the hottest day we'd experienced since we'd been there: 120°F. I remember being disappointed because the forecast had called for 123°F.

Well, ever since I ordered a bit of Colman's Mustard some time ago, it has become a bit of a favorite of mine. A little goes a long way due to its potent heat (horseradish) but the flavor is good and I had come close to running out. I ordered some more and it arrived yesterday. I thought I only ordered one jar but I received a case of six! I don't think I will be running out anytime soon...

I enjoy Colman's mustard as well, Dylan, but as you say, a little goes a long way! To be honest, I think I've only found a handful of mustards that I don't like... it's easily my favorite condiment!

That red jigged bone is fantastic! That was a glennbad job, correct?

Cheers for posting that Jack, I'd come across it already after watching the 1902 vid. I actually recognize most of the route (especially the city centre) though like you say a lot has changed. I like the way the B.S we have today hasn't changed. "Alteration of Service" was a euphemism for "where destroying your tram service". And Pond Street bus station being 'modern'. I always thought it's one of the most depressing places in England Same for the Moor.

I thought you might recognise it David Yes, then they brought the trams back 30 years later, with a massive amount of disruption I thought the same about Pond Street bus station, what an awful place, and I think the Moor actually looked better after the Luftwaffe had bombed it, compared to how it was rebuilt. Sheffield has had one bad planning decision after another, and they have been pulling it down since I was a kid.

I walked down to the Moor on the evening I arrived in Sheffield for my recent visit. I needed something to eat, and a phone charger, and it was close to the hotel. I don't remember finding it particularly depressing, but it was dark, and I was sleep-deprived. They do have a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts there, so it can't be all that bad...

Drinking in Wigan today.
A pint of "God's Twisted Sister" a 4.5% Oatmeal Stout from Twisted Barrel Brewery.
With the obligatory pork pie of course .

I've visited England twice now, and several pubs each time, and I've not yet tried one of those pork pies. When Jack and I were walking around Sheffield, I remember seeing them at The Fat Cat (and theirs looked pretty good), but we were already having lunch there.

I don't want to get reprimanded for not posting any Lambsfoot content, so here's my Ashley's Choice along with my new Big 'Un that Jack recently gifted me.

That Big 'Un is a prime example of what Jack was saying about Wright's only putting the premium horn on the mark side of the knife, and not bothering to even attempt matching the pile side. While that mark side horn is a lovely creamy caramel, the back side is just plain black.

 

[dc50]

I'm not really a coffee fan, but what you've shown with your lovely 2018 GELF, Dave, looks like it would have tastes that I'd enjoy!

 

[JohnDF]

That ebony knife is cracker, too, Gary.

Well said, and I'm a sucker for Ebony.

 

[Frailer]

I would love to buy a second-hand antique lambsfoot...

When I see the beautiful, well-loved knives in this thread I feel the same way.

I’d be content with a brand-new one, and on more than one occasion I’ve come very close to purchasing one directly from A Wright & Son online, but after hearing repeatedly from those in the know that QC can be so-so I’ve backed out of buying “blind.” (FWIW I feel the same about Case knives these days; fortunately, I have a large dealer very close at-hand that provides me the opportunity to handle the samples before purchasing.)

I hope to get a shot at the 2019 knife; meanwhile, I’ll just have to be content with the enjoyment of looking at the knives (and hearing the stories) of others.

 

[Jack Black]

It worked my friend! I’m definitely hooked!!!

I walked down to the Moor on the evening I arrived in Sheffield for my recent visit. I needed something to eat, and a phone charger, and it was close to the hotel. I don't remember finding it particularly depressing, but it was dark, and I was sleep-deprived. They do have a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts there, so it can't be all that bad...



I've visited England twice now, and several pubs each time, and I've not yet tried one of those pork pies. When Jack and I were walking around Sheffield, I remember seeing them at The Fat Cat (and theirs looked pretty good), but we were already having lunch there.

I don't want to get reprimanded for not posting any Lambsfoot content, so here's my Ashley's Choice along with my new Big 'Un that Jack recently gifted me.

That Big 'Un is a prime example of what Jack was saying about Wright's only putting the premium horn on the mark side of the knife, and not bothering to even attempt matching the pile side. While that mark side horn is a lovely creamy caramel, the back side is just plain black.

It MUST have been dark Barrett, a shame you missed the view!

(That's not actually The Moor, but only just off it! )

Your photos bring back memories of a happy day my friend

 

[Jack Black]

I carry a Lambsfoot...

'Cos sometimes you got fiddly stuff to do!

How bout you?

 

[rockman0]

This J. McClory was in my mailbox when we got home today. Tracking still shows it in France I wasn't expecting it so it was a very nice surprise. Took it 12 days which isn't bad but I was starting to worry with no tracking updates. It's a big un at 4 1/16". I'm guessing 1880 ish. The flush joint is a nice surprise, sellers pictures didn't reveal it hand carved bones covers. rock solid old knife no blade play and a nice strong pull and snap

 

[Jack Black]

This J. McClory was in my mailbox when we got home today. Tracking still shows it in France I wasn't expecting it so it was a very nice surprise. Took it 12 days which isn't bad but I was starting to worry with no tracking updates. It's a big un at 4 1/16". I'm guessing 1880 ish. The flush joint is a nice surprise, sellers pictures didn't reveal it hand carved bones covers. rock solid old knife no blade play and a nice strong pull and snap

Absolutely beautiful old Lambsfoot Rob Congratulations, that's an early one for sure

 

[rockman0]

Thanks Jack I'm pleased to have it.

 

[Jack Black]

John McClory & Sons Ltd (with thanks to Geoff Tweedale):

John McClory was born in County Down in Ireland about 1822. Moving to Sheffield, he opened a hardware shop, specialising in knives and cutlery. By 1860, this was located in Waingate in the city centre, but McClory died in 1867.

By 1884, John McClory & Sons had appeared in local trade directories, the owner being the son of the deceased John McClory, also John. They were located in Eldon Works in Eldon Street, and listed as a table and pocket cutlery manufacturers and general merchants. McClory aimed his goods at the mass market - 'manufacturing low-priced cutlery on a gigantic scale' according to a contemporary account.

By the 1890's, the firm had moved to Continental Works in Milton Street. John's son, John Lewis McClory joined the firm about 1900. McClory's became a limited company by 1905.

John McClory died in 1913, and his son continued to manage the firm after WW1, when it was one of the first to market stainless knives. The company lasted until 1938, when it was liquidated. After WW2, the address was Continental Works, Herries Road, where it was listed in the 1980's.

 

[waverave]

This J. McClory was in my mailbox when we got home today. Tracking still shows it in France I wasn't expecting it so it was a very nice surprise. Took it 12 days which isn't bad but I was starting to worry with no tracking updates. It's a big un at 4 1/16". I'm guessing 1880 ish. The flush joint is a nice surprise, sellers pictures didn't reveal it hand carved bones covers. rock solid old knife no blade play and a nice strong pull and snap

That has some great character

 

[Prester John]

John McClory & Sons Ltd (with thanks to Geoff Tweedale):

John McClory was born in County Down in Ireland about 1822. Moving to Sheffield, he opened a hardware shop, specialising in knives and cutlery. By 1860, this was located in Waingate in the city centre, but McClory died in 1867.

By 1884, John McClory & Sons had appeared in local trade directories, the owner being the son of the deceased John McClory, also John. They were located in Eldon Works in Eldon Street, and listed as a table and pocket cutlery manufacturers and general merchants. McClory aimed his goods at the mass market - 'manufacturing low-priced cutlery on a gigantic scale' according to a contemporary account.

By the 1890's, the firm had moved to Continental Works in Milton Street. John's son, John Lewis McClory joined the firm about 1900. McClory's became a limited company by 1905.

John McClory died in 1913, and his son continued to manage the firm after WW1, when it was one of the first to market stainless knives. The company lasted until 1938, when it was liquidated. After WW2, the address was Continental Works, Herries Road, where it was listed in the 1980's.

Thanks for the history, Jack.

 

[rockman0]

Thanks for the McClory history Jack

John McClory & Sons Ltd (with thanks to Geoff Tweedale):

John McClory was born in County Down in Ireland about 1822. Moving to Sheffield, he opened a hardware shop, specialising in knives and cutlery. By 1860, this was located in Waingate in the city centre, but McClory died in 1867.

By 1884, John McClory & Sons had appeared in local trade directories, the owner being the son of the deceased John McClory, also John. They were located in Eldon Works in Eldon Street, and listed as a table and pocket cutlery manufacturers and general merchants. McClory aimed his goods at the mass market - 'manufacturing low-priced cutlery on a gigantic scale' according to a contemporary account.

By the 1890's, the firm had moved to Continental Works in Milton Street. John's son, John Lewis McClory joined the firm about 1900. McClory's became a limited company by 1905.

John McClory died in 1913, and his son continued to manage the firm after WW1, when it was one of the first to market stainless knives. The company lasted until 1938, when it was liquidated. After WW2, the address was Continental Works, Herries Road, where it was listed in the 1980's.

That has some great character

Thanks Darren

 

[dc50]

This J. McClory was in my mailbox when we got home today. Tracking still shows it in France I wasn't expecting it so it was a very nice surprise. Took it 12 days which isn't bad but I was starting to worry with no tracking updates. It's a big un at 4 1/16". I'm guessing 1880 ish. The flush joint is a nice surprise, sellers pictures didn't reveal it hand carved bones covers. rock solid old knife no blade play and a nice strong pull and snap

Good on you Rob 1880ish Wow! It's always a concern waiting for the mail to get through, looks like your parcel beat mine to the door.

 

[Fodderwing]

This J. McClory was in my mailbox when we got home today. Tracking still shows it in France I wasn't expecting it so it was a very nice surprise. Took it 12 days which isn't bad but I was starting to worry with no tracking updates. It's a big un at 4 1/16". I'm guessing 1880 ish. The flush joint is a nice surprise, sellers pictures didn't reveal it hand carved bones covers. rock solid old knife no blade play and a nice strong pull and snap

I love it Rob. What a treasure to hold.

 

[RayseM]

So - will this one get sharpened and used or will it now rest as an historic treasure?
Sorry if that's a stupid question. My curiosity is genuine. It would be cool to be a user.

In any case - I say congrats on a good get!!

Ray

 

[rockman0]

Dave, I was hoping your first knife of the year would be there by now but apparently customs is taking their sweet time

Good on you Rob 1880ish Wow! It's always a concern waiting for the mail to get through, looks like your parcel beat mine to the door.

Thanks Dwight, I'm surprised how light it is for a big knife, it's lighter than my modern lambsfoots.
Short bolsters and it's not as tall. I'll take comparison pics soon

I love it Rob. What a treasure to hold.

Ray, I'm glad you asked. The blade looks about 3/8" short and the tip appears reground at some point. I love Sheffield steel and I'm excited to see how the 1800s stuff sharpens and cuts. It's light for it's size so I won't notice it's in my pocket, I'll report back on my experience with sharpening and using it

So - will this one get sharpened and used or will it now rest as an historic treasure?
Sorry if that's a stupid question. My curiosity is genuine. It would be cool to be a user.

In any case - I say congrats on a good get!!

Ray

 

[Fodderwing]

Thanks Dwight, I'm surprised how light it is for a big knife, it's lighter than my modern lambsfoots.
Short bolsters and it's not as tall. I'll take comparison pics soon

It is glorious Rob. Your acquisition skills are impressive my friend and I salute you on your taste in cutlery.