It's good to see you posting regularly, Chin. I read this thread from the beginning a few months ago, like
M
Mescladis
is doing now, and your posts were very informative and interesting. I looked forward to reading them, and then it seemed like you disappeared for awhile. Or went on a walkabout!
That’s very kind of you to say so, Vince. I’m so glad to see that good folk are enjoying the thread in its entirety in that way. It’s clearly a labour of love for our Grandmaster Guardian JB, but other Guardians like Greg
@WhittlinAway, with his index, and Barrett
@btb01 with the Map, have also really gone above and beyond, to make this thread a really well curated archive of knowledge and discussion.
Yes, it was a bit of walkabout, a bit of work commitments, and a bit of delving into other subjects like steel metallurgy, that were responsible for my absence. I’m glad to be back, and thanks to you and everyone else who contributes to this thread for making it the fun and informative read that it is.
That would be me! Tim is making a lambsfoot for me that I designed. It doesn't follow all of the classic aspects of the lambsfoot (lanny-like handle rather than a swayback, for example), but I am hoping for the right blade cant and taper. He's working on it now, but I'm not sure when it will be done.
Here's a picture of the design (I did draw it as a "left handed" knife but that was a mistake)
Very nice design, Joshua. Thanks for sharing that, I enjoyed poring over your detailed specs. I’m guessing you’re specifying a carbon steel blade, given you’re after a forge-scaled finish on the tang?
Yeah, I remember that, Joshua. The shield and nail nick are on the wrong side!
Oh really? It looks fine to me!
Never has a quote so simple, yet so poignant, impacted my outlook on life such as the one in my sig. Kephart's woods wisdom is a marvel, his knife design is pretty stellar as well.
Very much so, my friend. Words to live by for sure.
Maybe I could wear my canvas stool cover as a Tricorne hat!
When I was a very small boy of about three years of age, I got on a bus with my mother, and two old ladies asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told them I wanted to be the Lord Mayor, "So, I don't have to work."
Superb pic of your well-used ebony '18 Chin
Thanks mate. LOL, out of the mouth of babes, eh? Good to see your political acumen was honed from an early age, my friend!
Now Jack, you know I’d never wish to insult you by suggesting that you’re in any way suited for political office, but just think - as Lord Mayor, you could draw a wage,
and spend 30 hours of the working week on the Guardians thread, ah I mean engaging in
Executive Time.
Don't you worry John, British pig farmers are in fine fettle....
Thanks Chin, I'll look up that Gauntlet to. Whatever I buy it'll be for my birthday end of the month. Having only ever sharpened freehand the choice of sharpening systems is bewildering...
That's a great working patina you have there.
I didn't watch the Superbowl this year as I had an early night on Sunday for my walk yesterday.
Sadly a rather over-exposed shot.
Thanks mate, I’ll be keen to see what you get. Great pic - where is that?
lol I know I noticed that after I posted it.
Speaking of trains one just like that one, not very far away from here came off the track yesterday in the mountains killing all three engineers, apparently, it was a runaway
That’s terrible news, Dave, I’m very sorry to hear that.
I hope to do some serious creek walking this summer and I hope to find some good spots to cast a line.
That sounds like a fine adventure, my friend. And I trust you’ll take some great pics so we can share the experience with you.
Finally got my first lambsfoot in yesterday. If you don't look too closely it's a fine looking knife. Both scales are nice looking. There is a small hole on the mark side at the bolster, but I can fix that... just happen to have some spare rosewood laying around from my woodworking days! The blade is like a bear trap... smacks open and closed with authority, but with that comes a very strong pull, more so than I prefer, but hopefully it will loosen up with some use. There is a fairly sizable gap between the blade and liner on one side, probably 2-3 sheets of printer paper thick at the widest. The blade is not centered, but not touching the liner either, and it seems a little crooked, almost kinked in how it was cut. The edge is ok sharp, but not exactly straight... I'll touch that up this weekend and fix the bevel.
Overall, I'd been prepared to not expect a flawless knife, so my expectations were tempered from the start. It certainly has its share of imperfections, but I can either fix or overlook them all. I think it'll make a fine user and good introduction to this cool pattern.
Thanks to Jack
Jack Black
and Chin
Cambertree
for their help with what to look for and expect. I appreciate the help!
Mark:
Pile:
Excellent write up, my friend, I’m glad to see you got some fine Rosewood on yours. Now, sharpen it up to a razor edge, and give it some work to do, and let us know what you think of it then!
The flaws you describe were all present on my ebony user as well.
