Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[Prester John]

I had the same problem on my iPad, but the link worked fine on my PC. I solved it by doing this. Open your google app on your iPad, copy this link into the web address minus the ()marks, (https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1qlqB0gllY9N1yOFGKmqalS0nCIHmFS-j&hl=en_US&ll=42.113768966793934,-62.34038955&z=2) it will open to the map then you can save it as a favorite. I hope this helps.

Thanks. It worked!

 

[Peregrin]

btb01
Barrett, Please drop a pin on me, Onondaga Hill, NY 13215, a hamlet SW of Syracuse. Thanks!

 

[btb01]

Alright, I think I have everyone who's given me their info so far added to THE MAP. If I've missed anyone who requested to be added, please let me know. And if you haven't yet requested to be added and you want your pin on there, just let me know where to put it and I'll add you!

 

[tmd_87]

Thanks again btb01 ! Can't wait to see more checking in!

 

[JohnDF]

Alright, I think I have everyone who's given me their info so far added to THE MAP. If I've missed anyone who requested to be added, please let me know. And if you haven't yet requested to be added and you want your pin on there, just let me know where to put it and I'll add you!

That's great, so much fun to look at. Thanks for doing this for us.

 

[black mamba]

Sorry I'm so late to the party, Barrett, but you can put my pin right where the red spot is on this map, in Dardenne Prairie, Missouri.

 

[abbydaddy]

Alright, I think I have everyone who's given me their info so far added to THE MAP. If I've missed anyone who requested to be added, please let me know. And if you haven't yet requested to be added and you want your pin on there, just let me know where to put it and I'll add you!

You can't add me yet since I don't yet carry a lambsfoot... But once I get my hands on a lambsfoot you'll be able to drop my pin in Corvallis, Oregon.

 

[Jack Black]

Finally got a couple of new photos.

Here’s a Senator in all its fancy glory! The corners on the bolsters on this knife are crazy sharp and it felt like they were digging into a nerve in my palm. Rounded them out with a diamond stone and flitzed it all back to a nice polish. I can actually grip it now without wincing. Ready for a patina!

Here’s a backside shot with the fancy file worked spring. A little rough compared to some of my other knives but it’s good enough!

Cool pics, that's some nice stag there, makes me want to carry my own, it hasn't seen any pocket time for a while. I was bought this one a good few years ago now, but the stag it came with was awful. I contacted Wright's, and they made me a new one with Sambar. That was my first contact with the firm

A couple of my favorite things from England

Outside Sheffield Town Hall...

(Not sure why I'm having to filch a stock photo of this )

WAm enjoying a tasty beverage a bit early, not the easiest work day. Cigar might have to wait though, the rain apparently decided it was time.

Sounds like you earned that one Dylan, great pic my friend

Last time I did a "comprehensive" post here was Saturday, and I was flabbergasted to find I was something like 15 pages behind! Inconceivable!! In my last major post I limited myself to 2018 GELFs; here I think I'll feature only horn lambsfoots (hereafter abbreviated HLF), since that's what I'm carrying this week. (it's ALL about ME. ) I picked out these posts this afternoon, and thought I responded to them right away, but discovered after supper tonight that I hadn't replied at all!

[ALERT]HLF EXCEPTION!!
I'm already breaking my rule, because I tend to enjoy the "I carry a lambsfoot" series that Greg (@WhittlinAway) started, and Vince has a really cool one here with the Spam double entendre!
Jack's is also very clever in its use of the mountain climber's raison d'être.



[/ALERT]


I'm not chess-obsessive, and I'm not a good player, but I've certainly spent lots of time reading chess books, playing games, etc. I could see myself devoting some time to chess a couple of times per week in my Golden Years.


I had forgotten all about that GAW, and that you had won it, Ron (even though I entered and even made some suggestions about what had helped me with back ailments)! Congrats, again! When I was young, my brothers and I always had chores before and after school and lots of farm work on weekends and through the summer, but our Dad would let us play in a weekly church league for kids one evening a week. And my grade school had 3 recesses each day IIRC, and we'd play softball at each one until the snow got too deep, and then we'd throw snowballs all winter to keep our arms in shape, I guess!



Thanks for the ebony enthusiasm, Vince and John.


Jack, I appreciate your always humoring my random musings.


I have to agree with you, Barrett, that a high of 123˚ has much more "sequential cachet" than does 120˚.
Congrats on the big HLF; the mark side horn certainly has alluring figuring!


@herder, your HLF is as sweet and intoxicating as your caramel!


Cracker Jack thanks you for the prize compliment, Jack. So there have been incidents in your life, too, that included someone yelling, "Run for it, boys!"


Thanks for those cool comparisons among your new old lambsfoot, your AC, and this finely-feathered HLF!!


Saturday, we had dinner at the house of married friends of my daughter, and at one point we were discussing Thinking, Fast and Slow by Kahneman, a book really relevant to John's first remark.
And I second everything John says in his second paragraph! Thanks, Jack and other impassioned knife nuts on The Porch!


No lettuce with your pork pies? Pity. I've found myself eating far more sliced/diced vegetables since I became enamored with pocket knives!
My Dad bought our farm from his father, and it was originally 160 acres (a quarter-section, a fairly common farm size in the Midwest US originally). We used to rent land from an old man in our church who had a farm about 2 miles from ours but didn't farm it himself anymore. Eventually, my Dad bought a second, smaller, farm only about a mile from our farmstead, so he had a total of 300 acres. The method for "making hay" you describe was something my Dad did when he was a kid, but I never saw anything but hay baled in the field and carried to the barn.

(I have to split my post; sorry for the verbosity. )
Lam Jack is back:
View attachment 1055570

- GT

Hey, if you're not fast, you're last GT! I always enjoy your posts my friend

I’ve only been working with it on my computer so far, so I just played around on my phone to see if I could figure it out. If I just click on the link, it does exactly what you’re saying, redirects to the Google Maps app, no pins or anything. If, instead, I copy the link, open a new browser window, paste it there and go, it keeps the map open in the browser and I can see the pins/info. I would give that a try.

(It may also be accessible in the Google Maps app if you click the three lines to the left of the search bar, then click “Your Places,” then “Maps”, but no promises. I think that depends a lot on your Google login being synched between your browser and Maps app.)

Works fine on my PC

btb01
Barrett, Please drop a pin on me, Onondaga Hill, NY 13215, a hamlet SW of Syracuse. Thanks!

Good to see you here Gary

You can't add me yet since I don't yet carry a lambsfoot... But once I get my hands on a lambsfoot you'll be able to drop my pin in Corvallis, Oregon.

Hopefully, the wait won't be too much longer

Sure is cold here today, particularly after 3 hours lollygagging on the market. I added several extra layers, got back home an hour ago, and I still haven't fully warmed up! Warming my hands on this 'un

 

[Half/Stop]

@draggat Beautiful Sambar on your Senator!

Jack Black A big on your Sambar Senator as well my friend!

I decided to take my Senator out for a while today! It’s not as attractive as those beautiful Sambar models but it’s the only one I have!

 

[Prester John]

Cool pics, that's some nice stag there, makes me want to carry my own, it hasn't seen any pocket time for a while. I was bought this one a good few years ago now, but the stag it came with was awful. I contacted Wright's, and they made me a new one with Sambar. That was my first contact with the firm

Outside Sheffield Town Hall...

(Not sure why I'm having to filch a stock photo of this )



Sounds like you earned that one Dylan, great pic my friend



Hey, if you're not fast, you're last GT! I always enjoy your posts my friend



Works fine on my PC



Good to see you here Gary



Hopefully, the wait won't be too much longer

Sure is cold here today, particularly after 3 hours lollygagging on the market. I added several extra layers, got back home an hour ago, and I still haven't fully warmed up! Warming my hands on this 'un

That ironwood's looking better and better!

 

[Jack Black]

@draggat Beautiful Sambar on your Senator!

Jack Black A big on your Sambar Senator as well my friend!

I decided to take my Senator out for a while today! It’s not as attractive as those beautiful Sambar models but it’s the only one I have!

Thanks Ron, looks nice in buffalo my friend The only other one I have is this one, which I picked up as a second

 

[JohnDF]

Outside Sheffield Town Hall...

(Not sure why I'm having to filch a stock photo of this )

Thanks for that, it is now my new computer background

I have to carry other (smaller) knives at work because of size limitations, nothing over a 2-1/2" blade.
But as soon as I come home... I slip the Lambsfoot in my pocket for any real work that needs to get done...

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks for that, it is now my new computer background

I have to carry other (smaller) knives at work because of size limitations, nothing over a 2-1/2" blade.
But as soon as I come home... I slip the Lambsfoot in my pocket for any real work that needs to get done...

I'll try and find you a better pic John

That is a shame about the restriction, a shame the measurement is not just the cutting edge (as is traditional here) Glad you're enjoying the Lambsfoot though

 

[JohnDF]

That is a shame about the restriction, a shame the measurement is not just the cutting edge (as is traditional here) Glad you're enjoying the Lambsfoot though

It's not so bad really. I'm a teacher and knife carry is extremely limited on California school campuses. The knife has to be non-locking and the blade cannot be more than 2-1/2" in total length. This would be my proffered carry at work anyways because it doesn't draw any attention when I use it. Fortunately I have several knives that I really like at this size. If I can show "need", then I am allowed to carry knives that don't fit within the regulations, but I just rather not bother... smalls are fine. Maybe a small Lambsfoot will be in my future if I can find one with such a small blade length.

 

[Wurrwulf]

I've been working wonky hours this week, so I've fallen way behind. I really appreciate all of the posts regarding the beautiful cathedrals! The knives ain't too bad, either.

Barrett, the next time you add some locations to the map, please drop a pin in Luling, LA, 70070.

 

[mitch4ging]

You can't add me yet since I don't yet carry a lambsfoot... But once I get my hands on a lambsfoot you'll be able to drop my pin in Corvallis, Oregon.

I'm right there with you!
My anniversary is coming up, and I gave my wife a "subtle" hint, and internet link.
Then Oklahoma City can be added!

 

[Fodderwing]

I initially preferred the pile side stag of my AC, but have come to love the mark side too.

Same here Vince. These AC's with Sambar stag just grow finer with every passing day. Seems like this particular handle material ages better than most and the more I CF and CE it the more I like the smoother textured side as well as the more rugged side.

I am loving all of these Senators!

JohnDF the patina is coming on strong and fast...

Surgery postponed until insurance approves it. I love insurance companies.

Barrett thank you for doing the map. Very interesting and fun.

Have a great day Guardians.

 

[5K Qs]

... I find the Wright pulls pleasingly authoritative, but not excessively strong (I have older Lambsfoot knives with stronger pulls). I'm interested to know how everyone else finds them, and also, if they use the nail-nick or pinch them open
...
Thought I'd take a pile-side pic for a change

Thanks for your questions about users' perceptions on pull strength and opening methods, Jack. They led to discussion I found very interesting and informative.
The pile side of your ironwood is probably not as showy as the mark side, but the grain still would produce some fascinating fluid flow vector fields!!

... I find the pull quite, stiff like some of my older GEC's. For me, it would be an accident looking to happen if I pinched the blade open. ...

...
As a retired butcher, I don't feel I have a weak grip so I reckon its all in the application.

Good to hear your opinion, Dave. I agree with your final phrase that the effectiveness of various methods of opening folders depends a LOT on minor differences in specific technique.

Never happen.

Now THERE'S an example of foolproof pinching technique!! I've said before that I'm mainly at BF for the nostalgia, and your pic really took me back, Jer! I haven't used or thought about fencing pliers in 50 years, even though I used them all the time when I was a kid fixing fences on the cow pastures.

View attachment 1054607
...

Another winning technique IMHO, but one I probably lack the skills to implement!

The AC size is definitely the hardest to pinch, the Big 'Un being the easiest

With the Ashley's Choice the only way I can open it is with the nail nick. ...

... No problem pinching any of them open except the AC which I can't really get hold of with my fingers so I always use the nail nick.
...

... I can pinch the AC but it takes some concentration and a little precise finger placement.

Regarding Cracker Jack, my AC, I'm in Joshua's situation: I can pinch it open about half the time I try, and it apparently depends on very subtle factors I haven't clearly identified.

... I just took a needle file and 'broke' the corners of the tang a little. ...

I'm tempted to try this on some of my knives with the hardest pulls (not lambsfoots), but I think I'd need more details about the procedure before doing so.

...
But the large and deep nail mark on the Lambsfoot makes it very easy to pinch.
...

Thanks for pointing this out, John. Part of my "pinching technique" for most knives I pinch open that I didn't even realize until now is that my pinch forces the pad of my thumb into the nail nick, so I'm technically using the nail nick to help me open the blade, but the entire nick is filled with "pressed flesh" instead of just having a small sliver of nail pushing against the top edge of the nick.

... to me anyway, a lambsfoot looks best by itself. ...

View attachment 1054668...
...
Michael
...
I use the pen secondary frequently, and wouldnt want to be without it!

I side with Michael rather than Vince on the 2-blade issue, I think. I'd at least like to try a lambsfoot with a secondary blade sometime.

...
Interesting Jack, the pull on the pen of my two-blade lambsfoot is as easy as on my small frame swayback horn. But your right about the bulk; my two-blade is one chunky knife.

...

Unfortunately for those of us who like 2-blade knives, that seems to be uncommon, David. Glad you're not fighting THAT fight!

...
I pulled out all of my Lambsfootses (all of which come from Wright's) this afternoon to do a pull/pinchability test/comparison. ...
And here are a few notes on each:
...
2. Standard Ebony -- Stout pull with probably the most snap of any of these knives, but surprisingly easy to pinch open, which I attribute to the satin finished blade. ...
...
I would, I think, be somewhat hesitant to recommend any of these (except maybe the Big 'Un) to someone who has difficulty opening certain knives due to arthritis. I don't usually like using the 1-10 scale for pull strength because it's so subjective, but I'd say these are all at least an 8.

... Rather than attempt to emulate Barret's most excellent analysis, I will simply state that patina helps facilitate the ability to pinch open a blade. Rosie and my first Ebony have some great patina and they pinch open with ease. However, the others are a bit more difficult and I simply use the nail nick.
...

As usual, Barrett, this is an impressive and thorough analysis!! I agree with both Barrett's and Dylan's observations that patina enhances the "pinchability" of a blade. All of my lambsfoots are users with patina, and they became easier to open as the patina developed. The biggest obstacle to pinching them open that I face is my own fault: several have not had the joint adequately flushed, I think. I always wash and oil them on arrival, but it sounds like many people put much more time and effort into the initial flushing than I do.

...
After using it for a bit, all my other knives seem soft-sprung in comparison.

...
Thanks, Jack! No, I should have specified, I’d put the Big ‘Un at a lower number, as it is noticeably lighter.
... Even the patterns known for having stronger pulls seemed pretty light after in comparison to the Wright’s knives.
...

Christian is not alone in noting that he perceives his lambsfoot to have a relatively challenging pull. This surprises me, because I don't perceive my lambsfoots as having very heavy pulls. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, @JB in SC asked me about the pull on mine because he was considering getting a lambsfoot. I wrote this in reply:

...
I have 5 lambsfoot knives from A Wright (4 with the "normal" slightly swayback handle, and 1 equal-end "senator" pattern), and I usually open them by pinching. The pull varies, of course, from knife to knife, but if I call a Vic SAK main blade a 5, I'd say all the lambsfoots are in the 6-7 range. There's not a LOT of blade sticking up to grab on to (I just measured about 1/4 inch (5-6 mm) at highest point above liners for the two I have readily available today), so I have to pinch harder than on some knives on which I can get more thumb "surface area" on the blade. ...

Maybe Jerry should get a second opinion!

...
I definitely pinch mine open - in fact it’s an integral part of why I carry a Lambsfoot knife. And my standard Ebony A. Wright in particular, due to the satin finish, light swedging, smooth pull, and patina is perfect for this way of opening.
...
I’ve mentioned before I think, that a full size Lambsfoot blade, and a small, full bellied spey blade might be an interesting combo, but that’s just an idle curiosity in pairing two blades from far different ends of the spectrum...
...
Oh, I remember the the pull on my golden Ox horn Lambsfoot knife - which is the same frame as the Ashley’s Choice knives - was absolute murder! ... I ended up taking a bit of material off of the tang corners with files and abrasive pastes, ...

10 thousandths of an inch difference in thickness more or less doesn’t seem like much, but it does give a noticeable improved feel in cutting performance IMHO. I thin out pretty much all my user knives as soon as I get them.
...

Chin seems to corroborate other conjectures about blade features that facilitate pinching.
Chin, I've also idly speculated that a lambsfoot/spey blade combo would be useful (I usually suggest putting them in a mini trapper frame).
I've often wondered about the magnitude of the differences in thickness behind the edge. A difference of .01 inch doesn't seem detectable to the naked eye, but it's interesting that you've found that the difference in performance is definitely noticeable.

- GT

 

[kamagong]

I don't find the pull on these lambsfoot knives bad at all. As a matter of fact I like them. I like my slipjoint springs on the firmer side though. If you find the pull on Victorinox knives ideal, then yes, I'd say the lambsfoot knife is not for you.

 

[Prester John]

Thanks for your questions about users' perceptions on pull strength and opening methods, Jack. They led to discussion I found very interesting and informative.
The pile side of your ironwood is probably not as showy as the mark side, but the grain still would produce some fascinating fluid flow vector fields!!



Good to hear your opinion, Dave. I agree with your final phrase that the effectiveness of various methods of opening folders depends a LOT on minor differences in specific technique.


Now THERE'S an example of foolproof pinching technique!! I've said before that I'm mainly at BF for the nostalgia, and your pic really took me back, Jer! I haven't used or thought about fencing pliers in 50 years, even though I used them all the time when I was a kid fixing fences on the cow pastures.


Another winning technique IMHO, but one I probably lack the skills to implement!





Regarding Cracker Jack, my AC, I'm in Joshua's situation: I can pinch it open about half the time I try, and it apparently depends on very subtle factors I haven't clearly identified.


I'm tempted to try this on some of my knives with the hardest pulls (not lambsfoots), but I think I'd need more details about the procedure before doing so.


Thanks for pointing this out, John. Part of my "pinching technique" for most knives I pinch open that I didn't even realize until now is that my pinch forces the pad of my thumb into the nail nick, so I'm technically using the nail nick to help me open the blade, but the entire nick is filled with "pressed flesh" instead of just having a small sliver of nail pushing against the top edge of the nick.



I side with Michael rather than Vince on the 2-blade issue, I think. I'd at least like to try a lambsfoot with a secondary blade sometime.


Unfortunately for those of us who like 2-blade knives, that seems to be uncommon, David. Glad you're not fighting THAT fight!



As usual, Barrett, this is an impressive and thorough analysis!! I agree with both Barrett's and Dylan's observations that patina enhances the "pinchability" of a blade. All of my lambsfoots are users with patina, and they became easier to open as the patina developed. The biggest obstacle to pinching them open that I face is my own fault: several have not had the joint adequately flushed, I think. I always wash and oil them on arrival, but it sounds like many people put much more time and effort into the initial flushing than I do.



Christian is not alone in noting that he perceives his lambsfoot to have a relatively challenging pull. This surprises me, because I don't perceive my lambsfoots as having very heavy pulls. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, @JB in SC asked me about the pull on mine because he was considering getting a lambsfoot. I wrote this in reply:

Maybe Jerry should get a second opinion!


Chin seems to corroborate other conjectures about blade features that facilitate pinching.
Chin, I've also idly speculated that a lambsfoot/spey blade combo would be useful (I usually suggest putting them in a mini trapper frame).
I've often wondered about the magnitude of the differences in thickness behind the edge. A difference of .01 inch doesn't seem detectable to the naked eye, but it's interesting that you've found that the difference in performance is definitely noticeable.

- GT

Informative summary with interesting observations, Gary. If I don't have time to read multiple posts on the subject, I can refer to this post in a pinch.