The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
My sincerest apologies for missing this thread, I really had an absolute devil of a week - and not in a good way!It's been far too long to have taken me to post this, since arriving back from England visiting Family and as well catching up with my pal Jack.
I had the pleasure of meeting up with Jack once again - we both jumped in our Trains and met up in York and spent two days one night there.
It's always such a pleasure meeting up with Jack, along with him being a great pal Jack is a walking encyclopedia
Jack THANK YOU for taking the time out and meeting up with me again my friend, it was a fantastic pleasure as it always is, and always a great touch of sadness when its time to say goodbyes and "until next time".
We all know Jack is such a generous person, the amount of people whom have been touched by Jacks kindness is indeed a LOT of people, I would hate to be given the job of counting all of these people.
Since we arrived back to New Zealand I have been meaning to post this Thread, so I am indeed grateful to be able to share this with you all.
We all will agree that Jack is THE man on the Lambsfoot Knife, and arguably the reason as to why the Lambsfoot Knife has once again resurfaced out of the depths of time and has become one of the more popular Tradional patterns of today, I don't think I would be wrong to say bigger than it ever was.
So, to find Jack without a Lambsfoot would be a very rare occurrence, and when Jack and I had a good walk around, Jack and I sat down when we got back to the Hotel - and he gifted me some fantastic knives- I just could not believe it, one was a knife, that.....well I don't think you all will be surprised with, but I was !
What a beauty! Jack handed me over this fantastic Lambsfoot Knife with handsome Dark Grey Micarta Handles, a nicely made Sheffield, and a knife I have used a lot since been gifted it - here it is.......Jack a massive thank you, I love carrying a gifted Knife as I always whisper a thanks when I pocket those treasures.
This Lambsfoot, because of it's Micarta Handles is very light, and darned Sharp! what a great Lambsfoot, these photos are taken in England, its fitting these photos are posted here
Here's Jack and I once we got off the Train and headed into York crossing the Bridge - the Wind had a chill to it that morning!
A lot of you know that Jack and I met up with Stan Shaw when we were in Sheffield, Jack, Sue and myself spent the morning with Stan, it was one very, VERY privileged, special morning.
Stan was an incredible joy to talk to- his voice was full of joy, enthusiasm - we made a few attempts being polite to leave, but Stan wouldn't have it,that was a good thing because I did not want to go! he really touched all of us, he was just so kind and we wont ever forget that meeting, and with Jack? Well he continued on to bond with Stan and they formed a great friendship.
When Stan left this World it was extremely sadJack told me that Stan's Workshop is to stay exactly the way it was when he left it. I really want to be standing in that small workshop again one day as I know massive feelings will surround us, and on Stans bench is a Pruner that Stan started to build for me as a favour to Jack, as Jack asked Stan if he could make me a knife, it never got finished, and it sits on the bench as work in progress - forever, that in a way is pretty awesome.
Well, I never had a Knife made by Stan, I never did expect to in all honesty, when Jack told me that Stan had started a knife I was incredibly blown away, but I knew the situation, and it was simply if Stan got to finish it and it got to me- well I would have been in Knife Heaven - who wouldn't be?
Jack handed me a Velvet Pouch, it was Heavy! I was very self conscious of Jacks wonderful Generosity - Jack told me to open it- and well, weird isn't it? my eyes well up a little typing this as a knife made by Stan was in my hands, not a small Knife- but a gorgeous Sleek Knife made by Stan when he worked with I*XL Schrade Wostenholm!
A serpentine Framed Stockman with a Large Clip Point, a Massive Sheepsfoot Blade and a large Pen Blade!
I have a photo on my office wall with Stan and I posing for a photo taken by Sue, I wanted to show Stan one of Charlie's creations, so he is holding Charlies TC Barlow up in that photo. I did explain to Stan that it was a TC Barlow called "Flat Belly" because the blade had to be taken down a little because of damage, and now in my Office is Stan's Knife with me as it will be forever.
The walk and talk of this knife is just smooth- just really smooth! I love this Knife and treasure this knife for so many important reasons that are a Whirlpool of friendship, kindness and treasured memories. The Knife has not one but three individual ( and all different ) Stan Shaw Liner Stamps inside the liners.
Please forgive the Oil on the Blades..
It's hard moving onto another knife, but not one knife is better than the other- you guys and gals know what I mean about Knives that are gifted - there is something VERY special about them.
Jack Knows I like Old Pruners, and now........ who doesn't like old Sheffield pruners right? Especially when they have that famous Sheffield Jigging on great Bone, Massive Rats Tailed Steel bolsters, a Spring that is a hair widths under 1/4 of an inch! and has of course that Sheffield authoritative snap that tells you "Handle me with care, or your Fingers will no longer be there"
What a beauty- check it out......
Jack and I frequented quite a few eateries and some Pubs! ( ten guesses as to what pattern Jack is taking a photo of)
Well, one would that was enough amazing generosity, but Jack Gifted me a custom made Sgian Dhub some years ago, I carry it at times, I treasure it of course, it is a Pat Mitchell Stag Handled Sgian Dhub, and a beauty it is! for a wee Knife, its enough to fill the Hand!
Well Jack bettered the Sgian Dhub in size thats for sure - but still strongly within the Scottish Carry, and that is he handed over this massive "Knife " Pouch.... I am Laughing now because it was a real time when you get blown away somewhat...
In this Pouch was a beast of a Scottish Dirk, made by Tod Cutler, if you look this gentleman up- he is right into his History and he recreates these pieces with reality - he makes his knives like they did in whatever era'd weapon he is making - he has a very interesting website if you want to read about how he goes back in time, and boy that's what I had placed in my hands was this recreation of the 18th Century Scottish Dirk! Its nearly a Sword! - can you imagine me trying to get this from England to New Zealand? well... I did it!
Its Home! and here it is!
The Sheath fits beautifully - retention for such a long smooth Blade - so well done!
Jack my friend, Thank you so much for these wonderful, amazing pieces of Treasure, as well as for your friendship.
It seemed to last a month! 
It sure was a great adventure, and the two days we spent together absolutely flew by! I have been nervously hanging onto the Stan Shaw for a few years now, and I didn't want to risk putting it in the mail. I wish you had got your Pruner, but I'm glad you have a knife from the great man. It was the last knife I got from him. He made it a year or two before he passed away, and that would have actually been the last time I saw him 
Tod Cutler has a great YT channel 
Trauma has almost erased it from my mind Duncan!Oh man!
There’s Stan holding that Knife!! What a wonderful man Stan was ! I am extremely sorry you lost your great friend
Jack - Always good catching up my friend, again massive thanks!
Your week sounds like one you would want to forget my friend.
Here’s hoping for a wonderful Christmas break for you and yours there Jack and to everyone here
I meant to send you that photo earlier buddy Happy Christmas to you, and all our friends 
