Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

[Jack Black]

Good sunshine today!

And a wonderful sun-soaked pic

Thank you Jack today I go to the Doctor for test results. I'm pretty sure there will be a lot of "this tested to high and you need to do this and that"...

Good luck with everything Dave Yes, I know just what you mean, I have a couple of those sort of appointments coming up myself

Somebody came back to retrieve their bench, and the Garden Gnomes got 'em


You big tease

Good!

Sorry!

We call that a "dolly".

That's interesting Vince, I've heard that in relation to TV/film cameras. It is also the word Sheffield cutlers use for their rag polishing wheels

Or a "hand truck."

Thanks Greg, I think here a lot of younger folk, particularly those who haven't worked in a factory or warehouse, would struggle to know what to call it

Yup. On indefinite loan from my brother. I think knives, but he thinks I should give decorative ironwork a try. Good idea, too. It's outrageous what you can pay for a sheet-iron leaf. And hooks on a spike! I still have to build a stand for it. Preferably with wheels.

And us not there with a fleet of trucks/lorries and a warehouse!

Has he seen what you did to that 2-blade Lambsfoot?! I know a couple of blacksmiths who do that kind of ironwork, it's a good earner

Gorgeous ebony, Jack.

Thanks Vince

Thank you Jack and Preston.



Preston and @Hkjay , you can speed up the process by dabbing a little bit of lapping paste with a toothpick into the back of the tang, where it bears against the backspring when opening and closing. I use 1 micron diamond paste sparingly, then work the action like you mentioned, then flush it with oil. You can mix some stropping compound shavings with mineral oil and warm it up in a shot glass, if you don’t have diamond or CBN paste.



That’s very interesting - yes I understand the actual numbers can vary quite a lot with individual samples of timber. Enough that a ‘top ten of the hardest or densest woods’ could easily be completely different with different samples of the same wood types.

Lignum vitae has been used for self lubricating bearings in early nuclear subs too, as well as hydroelectric dams. It’s an amazing wood. The cable insulators on San Francisco’s trolley car system were made from lignum vitae. Installed from 1904, many of the insulators survived the fires following the Great San Fransisco Earthquake in 1906, which softened iron struts and melted copper wire. In fact many of them were still in service into the 1970s, and the last of them were only replaced in 2009.

Master clockmaker, John Harrison used the timber for the gears in his Longitude clocks, and I understand that, of four of his clocks which are held in the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, three of them are still run full time, so little concern is there for wear on the lignum vitae clock mechanisms. (Apparently, the fourth is not operated, as it is not made of lignum vitae.)

If this could be sourced from some recycled old bowls balls, it would certainly be my number one vote for some very interesting, superlatively durable cover material.

As Lambertiana mentioned, published figures don’t capture the diverse spread of values in actual timber samples, but it can be instructive to compare values on the Janka scale. Not to disparage anyones preferences, but many of the timbers previously mentioned, like English Oak and Yew are relatively soft compared to African Blackwood, Lignum Vitae and Osage Orange.

I would also throw Australian Gidgee into the ring for consideration.

In the past GEC used ‘Barn Chestnut’ for some stainless knives, which was a good story, but an appalling choice IMHO, being softer than pine, and easily taking a deep imprint from a fingernail.

As Kevin noted with Betty’s fall onto concrete from 6’ high, these are extremely durable timbers. My ebony user has been through similar drops and scrapes, and is no worse for wear, either.




Great stuff, Dennis, I loved the pic, and hearing about your family history.



Wow, Kevin, these horn knives are looking even better with time. I thought it was one of the 2017 run, but obviously not, with that bolster?

Yeah, it’s frustrating when you lose a whole string of multiquotes like that.



Thanks Dave, really interesting stuff, mate.



Yeah, I remember we discussed the ‘Urban Explorer’ scene in Sheffield. There’s some great stuff on Youtube.

Jack had pointed out some pics taken in one of the old cutlery factories which showed some leftover stag cover slabs on a bench, when I visited Sheffield. I was in half a mind to go and have a stickybeak, but when I tracked the photos down, they were clearly Red Stag, not Sambar, which is probably why they had been left!



Absolutely! And Barrett can have his almighty, glass breaking Lambsfoot handle then too!



I found one of the photos from the time we visited Stan Shaw, and he showed us some Lignum Vitae covers he was lapping flat, which he had slabbed out of an old bowls ball:

Good breaking-in tips my friend, there are plenty of options for anyone who struggles with a stiffer pull

Lignum Vitae was one of my very first choices for covers from Wright's, they are not keen, but if I can find an old bowl, and get it cut into scales, I 'm hoping I'll be able to talk them into it. What would folks reckon to a shadow pattern, with a 'Bird's Eye' pivot?

I'm glad you checked out those 'urban explorer' sites mate, and that you spotted the provenance of the stag - I feel less gutted now! I wish I had had a video camera as a kid, as I spent half my childhood exploring bombed out old factories

Great pic of Stan's Lignum, I have seen him using it for several knives, and cuts pieces of the wooden bowl with a hand-saw! A bloke from Leeds got Stan the bowl over 5 years ago, Stan made him a knife to say thanks, but the feller has never been back for it!


(Having to split this one )

 

[Jack Black]

Good Morning Guardians... Another day for the Rose.

Beautiful photo John

Jack, several years ago there were some knives that were made using Rosewood handle blanks that were discovered in the old Cattaragus factory. I tried to find a link in the forum but my search returns no results! Something like that from an old Sheffield factory that would have been great for a Guardians Special Lambsfoot! Over here I’ve always heard your sack-barrow refered to as a “two wheeler” or sometimes a “hand truck”! I know why it was outside your door! You apparently interrupted some would be thieves that were about to make off with your beautiful teak garden bench. A very fine bench indeed Jack! I have one that is built similarly to yours. It’s an import and of course it has none of the historical connections of yours. A big on your 18 Ebony!

Well I know it’s Wooden Wednesday, but my Lambsfoot choice today is Stag!

I did wonder if it had been left by would-be burglars Ron! (There's a very old joke there somewhere, some of you may know ) Interesting that you have one too my friend, I was amazed how light the wood is, I can carry the bench on my own, though it has a very solid feel. The company who made it specialised in making garden benches and tables from old British ships, and made hundreds of both in the early 20th century. Mine is the only one I've seen with a plaque, but similar benches were very common in public parks and gardens when I was a kid. Even though it has no plaque, yours may have a similar age Ron

That Rosewood sounds interesting, the stag for our Ashley's Choice knives was cut decades ago, and Stan Shaw also uses vintage stag. The African Rosewood that was used on the few Lambsfoot knives I managed to get hold of recently, was also made from old stock, though the wooden scales may only have been a decade or two old.

Thank you for the compliment on my ebony '18 pal, that's a great pic of your Pere David Lambsfoot

Thanks, Dave. It's one of the roses I gave my wife on Valentine's Day.

Audible 'Awww....'

I had a crush on Diana Rigg and would not miss an episode. Wonderful Ironwood on that knife. I have to name her Emma

My grandfather died of silicosis, he mined gold and silver in Colorado near Silver plume and Idaho Springs. After he passed my mother showed me pieces that looked those on the top right. Horrible death!


Don't ya just hate it when that happens, Kevin. That is a great photo, wonderful horn.

Thanks so much Chin, I'll do just that.

Nice photo, Jack, over the hump day!

Didn't we all Preston?

Sorry to hear about your grandfather

Thank you, unfortunately I'm not really over the hump, so far my week has been pretty easy, but I have to go over to Sheffield tomorrow, and have a load of work lined up for Friday

Thank you. It's Jack's fault, he got me thinking about posing it with a rose.

Guilty!

I carry a Lambsfoot because...

Sometimes you have to go out on a limb.

Stunning pic, that grain looks really good

Luckily, my wife was on a trip on Valentine's Day. I was able to go purchase her roses the day after at a great savings

Clever!!! Nice photo too.

LOL! I was just thinking what a romantic you are John! I'd have done the same mate!

Another weekend walk:

I’m very sorry to hear that, Preston.

Great pic Chin, beautiful country, and a fantastic shot of your knife. Poignant plaque too of course

"Some say love is like a lambsfoot, that leaves your soul to bleed"

Fantastic Jer!

I ordered another knife this morning I just had to see what the two blade was for myself. My Rogers Lambsfoot Barlow should be here any day now. Here's the two blade I ordered this morning.

I hope you can get the blades open Randy!

 

[dc50]

Good luck with everything Dave Yes, I know just what you mean, I have a couple of those sort of appointments coming up myself

Thanks, Jack.

 

[Jack Black]

View attachment 1077106

As they say in the British Houses of Parliament, "The Eye has it!" Taylor

Hello Guardians. Hope you all have a great day.View attachment 1077117

Lovely pic Dwight, I love your pin-striped Lambsfoot

 

[joeradza]

View attachment 1077106

This is the one that pushed me to enlist in the Guardians. Just gorgeous wood. I'm waiting on one from Jack and should have a stag tomorrow that I found on the exchange.

 

[Jack Black]

This is the one that pushed me to enlist in the Guardians. Just gorgeous wood. I'm waiting on one from Jack and should have a stag tomorrow that I found on the exchange.

Taylor's is certainly a stand-out Hope you get a nice one in stag Alan

 

[Half/Stop]

And a great choice and well photographed!

Thank you!

I did wonder if it had been left by would-be burglars Ron! (There's a very old joke there somewhere, some of you may know ) Interesting that you have one too my friend, I was amazed how light the wood is, I can carry the bench on my own, though it has a very solid feel. The company who made it specialised in making garden benches and tables from old British ships, and made hundreds of both in the early 20th century. Mine is the only one I've seen with a plaque, but similar benches were very common in public parks and gardens when I was a kid. Even though it has no plaque, yours may have a similar age Ron

That Rosewood sounds interesting, the stag for our Ashley's Choice knives was cut decades ago, and Stan Shaw also uses vintage stag. The African Rosewood that was used on the few Lambsfoot knives I managed to get hold of recently, was also made from old stock, though the wooden scales may only have been a decade or two old.

Thank you for the compliment on my ebony '18 pal, that's a great pic of your Pere David Lambsfoot

Thanks Jack! My bench is actually just around 20 years old. It is teak, but I believe it is imported from Indonesia or somewhere like that. We bought it at a local chain operated home improvement type store.

 

[screened porch]

Has he seen what you did to that 2-blade Lambsfoot?!

Probably.
I have some knives I want to make for myself, but the problem with selling them is that people might want a guarantee. I could make them so expensive that nobody would want to let them out of the safe, or I could guarantee forever under normal use and define normal use as any use that doesn't result in damage to the knife.
Plenty to worry about with my own: fb lambsfoot, broken-back seax, Bell Bowie, Searles Bowie, Colonial hanger, Marbles Woodcraft homage, Beagnoth seax homage. Cinquedea! Concave edged Saxon spear. Something in the cut-and-thrust pole-arm line.

 

[Jack Black]

Thank you!


Thanks Jack! My bench is actually just around 20 years old. It is teak, but I believe it is imported from Indonesia or somewhere like that. We bought it at a local chain operated home improvement type store.

Ah, wishful thinking on my part I'm sure it's a very nice bench though Ron

Probably.
I have some knives I want to make for myself, but the problem with selling them is that people might want a guarantee. I could make them so expensive that nobody would want to let them out of the safe, or I could guarantee forever under normal use and define normal use as any use that doesn't result in damage to the knife.
Plenty to worry about with my own: fb lambsfoot, broken-back seax, Bell Bowie, Searles Bowie, Colonial hanger, Marbles Woodcraft homage, Beagnoth seax homage. Cinquedea! Concave edged Saxon spear. Something in the cut-and-thrust pole-arm line.

Sorry mate

Great to see Old Toffee Wings

 

[joeradza]

Thanks Jack Jack Black . It's on the smooth side, but looks good to me. This is from the seller's post.

 

[Fodderwing]

Lovely pic Dwight, I love your pin-striped Lambsfoot

Thanks Jack. Beautiful horn n rose photo.

 

[Jack Black]

As mentioned previously, I'm off over to Sheffield tomorrow. I think I'm going to carry this one, show Wright's some jigged bone

Hoping, among others, I'll be picking up this one again, and that it'll still look something like it does here, before encountering the BFO

 

[cigarrodog]

Thanks Jack Jack Black . It's on the smooth side, but looks good to me. This is from the seller's post.View attachment 1077186

Looks very nice

screened porch so is this one.

@Jack Blade Hope the Ironwood look good as new.

 

[Prester John]

Hoping, among others, I'll be picking up this one again, and that it'll still look something like it does here, before encountering the BFO

Beautiful specimen, Jack. Hope it's good as new. Mine's in my pocket now, but may go with the Wee Staggie tomorrow.

 

[akaMatt]

I carry a Lambsfoot because...

... sometimes I feel like branching out!

 

[Rayray70]

I was wondering what the difference was between knives made by A Wright and Son LTD, and the ones stamped Arthur Wright. Both from Sheffield. Are the companies related or is it a different knife made by same factory? Just curious, both look nice.

 

[Jack Black]

Beautiful specimen, Jack. Hope it's good as new. Mine's in my pocket now, but may go with the Wee Staggie tomorrow.

@Jack Blade Hope the Ironwood look good as new.

Thanks a lot guys

I carry a Lambsfoot because...

... sometimes I feel like branching out!

Ace post Matt, you got a beauty there

A couple of weeks back, I mentioned that I had got a new Max Capadebarthes pocket slip for my Yorkshire Rose, but that I found it a little overly complicated.

Barrett btb01 contacted me to offer to send me a KSF pocket-slip he had, which he thought would fit the bill. It arrived today, with a lovely letter from Barrett, and some other cool items. The slip is the perfect fit for a Big 'Un, and lets Rose show a little ankle We were talking about pocket notebooks just the other day, both Barrett and I always have one to hand, and he kindly enclosed a couple of his favourite type, along with a nice vintage church-key, and a cute whistle incorporating my favourite vegetable Thank you for your thoughtfulness Barrett, you're a great pal

Got my camera packed for tomorrow, so just using my old one

 

[OLd_gUY]

That's interesting Vince, I've heard that in relation to TV/film cameras. It is also the word Sheffield cutlers use for their rag polishing wheels

Ever see in the credits an acknowledgement for the "Dolly Grip"? Now you know
FYI - here's a better description of the duties I found in good old Wikipedia:
"In cinematography, the dolly grip is a dedicated technician trained to operate the camera dolly. This technician places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders." Here's a pic of a small one.

 

[btb01]

Lignum Vitae was one of my very first choices for covers from Wright's, they are not keen, but if I can find an old bowl, and get it cut into scales, I 'm hoping I'll be able to talk them into it. What would folks reckon to a shadow pattern, with a 'Bird's Eye' pivot?

A shadow pattern with a bird's eye pivot would be very cool! It would certainly be unique; I don't think I've ever seen a shadow pattern Lambsfoot (though that certainly doesn't mean there's never been any).

A couple of weeks back, I mentioned that I had got a new Max Capadebarthes pocket slip for my Yorkshire Rose, but that I found it a little overly complicated.

Barrett btb01 contacted me to offer to send me a KSF pocket-slip he had, which he thought would fit the bill. It arrived today, with a lovely letter from Barrett, and some other cool items. The slip is the perfect fit for a Big 'Un, and lets Rose show a little ankle We were talking about pocket notebooks just the other day, both Barrett and I always have one to hand, and he kindly enclosed a couple of his favourite type, along with a nice vintage church-key, and a cute whistle incorporating my favourite vegetable Thank you for your thoughtfulness Barrett, you're a great pal

Got my camera packed for tomorrow, so just using my old one

Glad that package made it there, Jack! (Especially after the encounter I had with an employee-in-training at the Post Office when trying to ship it!)

I hope that pocket slip works well for you! You might try it with the bolster toward the open end of the slip, that's how my Big 'un seemed to fit best in there.

 

[Jack Black]

Ever see in the credits an acknowledgement for the "Dolly Grip"? Now you know
FYI - here's a better description of the duties I found in good old Wikipedia:
"In cinematography, the dolly grip is a dedicated technician trained to operate the camera dolly. This technician places, levels, and moves the dolly track, then pushes and pulls the dolly and usually a camera operator and camera assistant as riders." Here's a pic of a small one.
View attachment 1077278

Thanks OG Yes, I watch a lot of those 'Making of ...' documentaries in the DVD extras, etc, which is where I'd heard it used. I'm still not sure what role the 'Best Boy' plays though

A shadow pattern with a bird's eye pivot would be very cool! It would certainly be unique; I don't think I've ever seen a shadow pattern Lambsfoot (though that certainly doesn't mean there's never been any).



Glad that package made it there, Jack! (Especially after the encounter I had with an employee-in-training at the Post Office when trying to ship it!)

I hope that pocket slip works well for you! You might try it with the bolster toward the open end of the slip, that's how my Big 'un seemed to fit best in there.

I have at least a couple Barrett, but they are not nice examples, and they don't have a bird's eye pivot. I think TEW still 'make' (or cause to have manufactured) cheapies, without bolsters, like this one:

I'm glad it made it too my friend Post Offices are a minefield, I was shipping the last of the first 50 Guardians knives, and just as I put a £20 note into the self-service machine, the entire national Post Office computer system crashed! It was OK in the end, fortunately I had a spare 30 minutes

The slip fits great my friend