Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

Hey Jack, I was doing a little digging this weekend on a search for the earliest known Lambsfoot folder. There have been some good discussions and history on the Sheepfoot folders which go way back, but the Lambsfoot models seem to be more recent by comparison. While there are plenty of Sheepfoot models shown in late 19th century Joseph Rodgers and Wostenholm catalogs, those two companies don't show any Lambsfoot models until after the turn of the 20th century. From one of your previous posts, we do know that Taylor's Eye Witness had Lambsfoot models in their 1897 catalog but how much earlier can we date these? The oldest I can find so far is from Thos. Makin & Son circa 1890 (with picture enclosed). Have you had any luck in tracking down more history on the Lambsfoot models?


Sorry for the slow reply my friend, I'm a bit snowed under with work this week, and missed your post. That's great research. Sheepsfoot blades go back to the earliest days of cutlery, but the Lambsfoot doesn't seem to date earlier than the late 19th century. I need to spend some time in the Sheffield archives, but would be surprised if examples turn up much earlier, otherwise I think Wostenholm and Rodgers would have produced examples earlier than the turn of the 20th century. That's a beautiful example, and the blade is surprisingly similar to the Lambsfoot blades produced today. According to Geoff Tweedale, Makin & Sons were never a great producer of pocket cutlery, and were on their last legs as a company by 1897. Perhaps your catalogue shows the company in a different light though?

True, the Lamb foot should be like its exported British cousin the Barlow, best as a proudly unembellished working man's knife

The fancy ones are nice examples of Sheffield craftsmanship, but I do think so, yes :)

I tried a bit of minwax on an older bit of horn that I had polished smooth, followed up by rubbing until warm with a bit of smooth leather. It burnished the horn to a very smooth glassy finish. I will see how well this holds up and let you know.

Sounds good :thumbsup:
 
Right Lambfoot.JPG

I've just received this fantastic little piece from the generous and talented hands of Greg (WhittlinAway) - 'A Right Lambfoot'!! :) :) :) :D :thumbsup: The detail is superb, and it's a gift I will really treasure :) Thanks so much Greg, I hope you don't mind me christening the little chap 'Arthur'! :D Expect to be seeing more of him folks :) :thumbsup:
 
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I've just received this fantastic little piece from the generous and talented hands of Greg (WhittlinAway) - 'A Right Lambfoot'!! :) :) :) :D :thumbsup: The detail is superb, and it's a gift I will really treasure :) Thanks so much Greg, I hope you don't mind me christening the little chap 'Arthur'! :D Expect to be seeing more of him folks :) :thumbsup:
Ha! Love it!
 
My understanding of Odysseus greatly increased when I read his story as an older man.

Yeah, I'm another rusted on fan of The Odyssey and Homer. One thing I've grown to appreciate more in recent rereadings is the excellence of the blind poet's technical descriptions. Check out the meticulously observed description of Odysseus felling timber, and hewing planks, to construct his vessel to escape Calypso's island. Or the comparison to an hot, forged axe, or adze being quenched, when Odysseus - or No One - puts out Polyphemus' eye.

It's been my favourite book since I was a boy :) I've read it many times (and studied it at school), and I think I enjoy it more every time :) That row with the suitors is quite a tussle isn't it?! ;) :thumbsup:

LOL! :D I can pinch open most of my Lambsfoot blades, but I doubt that'll go on forever :rolleyes:

+1 on that, my friend, and let's not forget all the great English renditions of Homer and The Odyssey through the past few centuries, as well as its 20th century offspring, Ulysses...

Hmmm, anyway, back to all things Lambsfoot:

Pinchable blades are also useful, due to being ambidextrous, for us leftys.

Hey Jack, I was doing a little digging this weekend on a search for the earliest known Lambsfoot folder. There have been some good discussions and history on the Sheepfoot folders which go way back, but the Lambsfoot models seem to be more recent by comparison. While there are plenty of Sheepfoot models shown in late 19th century Joseph Rodgers and Wostenholm catalogs, those two companies don't show any Lambsfoot models until after the turn of the 20th century. From one of your previous posts, we do know that Taylor's Eye Witness had Lambsfoot models in their 1897 catalog but how much earlier can we date these? The oldest I can find so far is from Thos. Makin & Son circa 1890 (with picture enclosed). Have you had any luck in tracking down more history on the Lambsfoot models?


Excellent post, and detective work on that early Thos. Makin & Son, Herder my friend - we must be thinking along the same lines, as just this past weekend, I went looking back through this thread myself. (A good read too, for anyone who hasn't done so, and has a little time to while away.)

I was also thinking to establish a timeline of 'cardinal points' in our historical span; around the genesis, and subsequent uptake, and refining of the form to the classic swayback handle, tapered spine-to-edge blade profile of the quintessential 'Real Lambsfoot', today.

So if I can make a brief summary of our rough timeline so far -

The comprehensive-seeming nature of the tool patterns depicted in Smith's Key of 1816, and the lack of recognisable Lambsfoot pocketknives in that work, would lead one to make an educated guess that the pattern most probably dates after 1816.

Then if we consider the English working cutlers who migrated to Connecticut and Massachusetts in the 1840s and 1850s and formed a large part of the workforce of the Waterville Cutlery Co. and later, Northfield Knife Company, and that they likely would have brought with them knowledge of all the popular patterns of the day - again, we seem to have no Lambsfoot patterned pocketknives here. (I referenced the 1869 Northfield catalogue here - if anyone has paperwork for Waterville Cutlery Co., that would be very interesting to check.)

I don't really recall seeing anything earlier than your example, Herder.

Jack, this Alfred Blackwell you posted waayyy back at the start of this thread seems quite old, but I saw you did mention that it was quite beaten up when you got it. Are we just looking at a very worn example?

Here's an old Sheffield Lambsfoot by Alfred Blackwell. Alfred was the son of Joseph Blackwell, who was himself the son of a spring-knife cutler (also Joseph), and making knives in Radford Street, Sheffield from 1833. In 1861, Joseph Blackwell & Sons employed four men and three boys. The sons were Alfred (who was born in 1834) and Henry. By 1868, the firm was working from Liberty Works on Edward Street. As Joseph grew older, the reigns of the firm were increasingly taken over by Alfred, and by 1881 Joseph had retired (dying at Stannington in 1884). Joseph continued to trade in Holly Street.





This old knife has clearly seen lots of use, and it looked like it had been run over when I found it in a local flea-market. It still takes a razor-edge though, and has great W & T, as well as great character I think :)

Any idea - or even an educated guess - on when that knife might date from, Jack? Which Lambsfoot knives in your collection seem like the earliest examples to you?

The latter half of the 19th century must have been a time of considerable innovation and a certain amount of fluidity, in what we would today regard as 'canonical' patterns.

Taking that Taylor's Eye Witness 1897 catalogue as an example, check out the wide variety of handle and blade shapes on just two pages:


The gold rush migrations to California and New South Wales, must have presented another 'river of gold' to Sheffield's toolmakers. And these burgeoning markets were in addition to the East Africa, India, Canada, New Zealand, Malayan and Caribbean export trades in edged tools.

With the 'McKinley' Tariff Act passed in the US in 1890, which (temporarily) saw the average duty on imports raised to 50%, Sheffield manufacturers realigned to focus on other large export markets than the US.

If the Lambsfoot pattern was part of the models which were developed (and in some cases, based on earlier, regional patterns), and were first popularised during the 1890s, then this window would partially explain why it does not appear in homegrown US examples, but was still evident in British colonies, at the time.

A realisation that they were now facing competition - and counterfeiting - from many quarters, meant that Sheffield factory owners also pursued many cases of trademark infringement, where they were able to. I wonder if the whole 'Real...' epithet that appears on quite a few patterns, was a response to general widespread misuse of Sheffield sounding company names, and counterfeiting at the time?

Certainly from the early 1900s to the 1930s, and on, there seems to have been quite a wave of popularity, both of the 'Real Lamb Foot' patterns:


IMG_1318.jpg

IMG_9495.JPG

and the usage of the 'Lambsfoot-style' tapered blade in other patterns, like sporting knives:

IMG_1319.jpg

and some of the Australian agricultural and veterinary patterns:

IMG_2016.jpg

IMG_7419.jpg



I've just received this fantastic little piece from the generous and talented hands of Greg (WhittlinAway) - 'A Right Lambfoot'!! :) :) :) :D :thumbsup: The detail is superb, and it's a gift I will really treasure :) Thanks so much Greg, I hope you don't mind me christening the little chap 'Arthur'! :D Expect to be seeing more of him folks :) :thumbsup:

Greg, I love your piece - whittled with skill and humour, my friend!

(Now I'm guessing that wasn't done with either of your Lambsfoot pair?)
 
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Yeah, I'm another rusted on fan of The Odyssey and Homer. One thing I've grown to appreciate more in recent rereadings is the excellence of the blind poet's technical descriptions. Check out the meticulously observed description of Odysseus felling timber, and hewing planks, to construct his vessel to escape Circe's island. Or the comparison to an hot, forged axe, or adze being quenched, when Odysseus - or No One - puts out Polyphemus' eye.



+1 on that, my friend, and let's not forget all the great English renditions of Homer through the past few centuries, as well as it's 20th century offspring, Ulysses...

Excellent stuff my friend, I think I'm due to treat myself to yet another re-reading :) T E Lawrence was certainly fond of his pocket knife ;) :thumbsup:

Hmmm, anyway, back to all things Lambsfoot:

Pinchable blades are also useful, due to being ambidextrous, for us leftys.

Good work! :) Ah yes, I'd forgotten...:thumbsup:

Excellent post, and detective work on that early Thos. Makin & Son, Herder my friend - we must be thinking along the same lines, as just this past weekend, I went looking back through this thread myself. (A good read too, for anyone who hasn't done so, and has a little time to while away.)

I was also thinking to establish a timeline of 'cardinal points' in our historical span; around the genesis, and subsequent uptake, and refining of the form to the classic swayback handle, tapered spine-to-edge blade profile of the quintessential 'Real Lambsfoot', today.

So if I can make a brief summary of our rough timeline so far -

The comprehensive-seeming nature of the tool patterns depicted in Smith's Key of 1816, and the lack of recognisable Lambsfoot pocketknives in that work, would lead one to make an educated guess that the pattern most probably dates after 1816.

Then if we consider the English working cutlers who migrated to Pennsylvania in the 1840s and 1850s and formed a large part of the workforce of the Waterville Cutlery Co. and later, Northfield Knife Company, and that they likely would have brought with them knowledge of all the popular patterns of the day - again, we seem to have no Lambsfoot patterned pocketknives here. (I referenced the 1869 Northfield catalogue here - if anyone has paperwork for Waterville Cutlery Co., that would be very interesting to check.)

I don't really recall seeing anything earlier than your example, Herder.

Jack, this Alfred Blackwell you posted waayyy back at the start of this thread seems quite old, but I saw you did mention that it was quite beaten up when you got it. Are we just looking at a very worn example?



Any idea - or even an educated guess - on when that knife might date from, Jack? Which Lambsfoot knives in your collection seem like the earliest examples to you?

The latter half of the 19th century must have been a time of considerable innovation and a certain amount of fluidity, in what we would today regard as 'canonical' patterns.

Taking that Taylor's Eye Witness 1897 catalogue as an example, check out the wide variety of handle and blade shapes on just two pages:



The gold rush migrations to California and New South Wales, must have presented another 'river of gold' to Sheffield's toolmakers. And these burgeoning markets were in addition to the East Africa, India, Canada, New Zealand, Malayan and Caribbean export trades in edged tools.

With the 'McKinley' Tariff Act passed in the US in 1890, which (temporarily) saw the average duty on imports raised to 50%, Sheffield manufacturers realigned to focus on other large export markets than the US.

If the Lambsfoot pattern was part of the models which were developed (and in some cases, based on earlier, regional patterns), and were first popularised during the 1890s, then this window would partially explain why it does not appear in homegrown US examples, but was still evident in British colonies, at the time.

A realisation that they were now facing competition - and counterfeiting - from many quarters, meant that Sheffield factory owners also pursued many cases of trademark infringement, where they were able to. I wonder if the whole 'Real...' epithet that appears on quite a few patterns, was a response to general widespread misuse of Sheffield sounding company names, and counterfeiting at the time?

Certainly from the early 1900s to the 1930s, and on, there seems to have been quite a wave of popularity, both of the 'Real Lamb Foot' patterns:

FullSizeRender_zpsbwyllmlt.jpg


and the usage of the 'Lambsfoot-style' tapered blade in other patterns, like sporting knives:

FullSizeRender_zps3prk6cor.jpg


and some of the Australian agricultural and veterinary patterns:

FullSizeRender_zpsmvficgxg.jpg


FullSizeRender_zpsf8skuiwd.jpg




Greg, I love your piece - whittled with skill and humour, my friend!

(Now I'm guessing that wasn't done with either of your Lambsfoot pair?)

Superb post Chin, I think I need to re-read this whole thread myself sometime soon :)

Here's some additional pics of my Alfred Blackwell (steel liners, square tang on the Lambsfoot, cam on the Pen, forged blades). As you can see it not only shows considerable signs of honest wear, but its been damaged. It looks to me like it may have even been run over, with the main blade being pushed into the liner to the extent that it was bent (and there is still no play!).

Alfred Blackwell 2-1.JPG

Alfred Blackwell 2-3.JPG

Alfred Blackwell 2-2.JPG

Geoff Tweedale mentions Alfred Blackwell only briefly, and in passing, so it might be worth me doing a little research myself, or at least speaking to the good Professor T.

This Thomas Turner knife has even less of its Lambsfoot blade left.

Thomas Turner Lambsfoot 1-1.JPG

Thomas Turner Lambsfoot 1-2.JPG

Thomas Turner Lambsfoot 1-3.JPG

Thomas Turner Lambsfoot 1-4.JPG

r8shell r8shell has a couple of knives with even more wear in her Lamb-punch collection :thumbsup:
 
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Yeah, I'm another rusted on fan of The Odyssey and Homer. One thing I've grown to appreciate more in recent rereadings is the excellence of the blind poet's technical descriptions. Check out the meticulously observed description of Odysseus felling timber, and hewing planks, to construct his vessel to escape Calypso's island. Or the comparison to an hot, forged axe, or adze being quenched, when Odysseus - or No One - puts out Polyphemus' eye.
I have taught the work to many a youngster, and am often in awe of Homer's descriptive powers. My favorite bit is when Telemachus quits being bullied, as he is transformed by Athena (in the guise of Mentor) into a "godlike man" Magically learning the power of rhetoric, he temporarily casts out the suitors by shaming them with the truth of their actions, just as his father casts them out permanently with his bow later. A lot of students have had a similar transformation in class through reading the work.

I wonder what might have caused the Lamb foot to appear so suddenly and take hold so firmly. Perhaps there was some form of a fixed blade version in use prior to its appearance? Or did Athene (or Hephaestus) appear in the form of Mester to an apprentice....
 
I wonder what might have caused the Lamb foot to appear so suddenly and take hold so firmly. Perhaps there was some form of a fixed blade version in use prior to its appearance? Or did Athene (or Hephaestus) appear in the form of Mester to an apprentice....

Unfortunately, we may never know for sure, but ruminating about it is certainly fun :) :thumbsup:

Ah, yes. R8shell's Home for Worn and Wayward Knives.
Home for those that were lambfoot:

As well as those that became lambfoot

Thanks for posting those r8shell :) Is there another one, maybe a TEW? :confused: :thumbsup:
 
These are all great posts my friends. I feel like I'm in a continuing education program? :)
 
My, y'all have been busy that past few days! I'm enjoying this recent renewal of the discussion of the genesis of the lambsfoot knife. It's a fun topic to ponder and I plan to devote some time later today to giving the last couple of pages a closer read. And, I may have to put The Odyssey on my reading list.

Jack, I'm glad 'Arthur' made it safely to you. You're very welcome and I love your choice of name!

Chin, your guess is essentially correct, but my buffalo horn A. Wright did contribute a few ceremonial shavings at the beginning of the project. ;)
 
Aha! I'd enjoyed reading that Silence of the Lambsfoot thread a while ago, but even then, some of the images didn't show, for some reason.

So this is the first time I've actually seen that 'Silent Lambsfoot'. I quite like the lines of the handle. The blade etch seems identical to A. Wright's to me:

45A28CA8-6C83-475F-8853-7F73BF27B2D1_zpsywfrvq8k.jpg


How's the handle feel in use, J johnnyfive ?

It's much nicer than this ah, interesting thing...I mean 'Real Lambfoot' I saw in a display case in a hardware store in Belfast.:eek::D

F49F7E85-217D-4AC3-92CC-D7B5A2B80D5E_zpss9vhtjp3.jpg


I didn't look any closer at the time beyond taking that cursory snap, but now it seems to me, the tang stamp actually says 'Italy'! I could be wrong though, it's a bit blurry to make out.
The handle is quite smooth and has a great grip. I love mallory she's a top notch knife:D
 
Thanks for those extra photos of that Alfred Blackwell and that old soldier of a Turner, Jack.:thumbsup:

I enjoyed seeing your retired 'Lamb-punches' again, too r8shell.:cool:

Wow, those thrifty old timers sure knew how to extract every last bit of cutting value out of a blade!

My, y'all have been busy that past few days! I'm enjoying this recent renewal of the discussion of the genesis of the lambsfoot knife. It's a fun topic to ponder and I plan to devote some time later today to giving the last couple of pages a closer read. And, I may have to put The Odyssey on my reading list.

Chin, your guess is essentially correct, but my buffalo horn A. Wright did contribute a few ceremonial shavings at the beginning of the project. ;)

Nice one, my friend!:)

The handle is quite smooth and has a great grip. I love mallory she's a top notch knife:D

That's good to hear Johnnyfive - a lot of people seem to take to that swayback handle straight away. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Mallory on these pages.:thumbsup:

Jack, that Thomas Turner & Co. you showed, also reminded me of that display frame of their 1901 range in the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield. I think, out of fifty pocket knives shown, there is only one 'Lambfoot' type IIRC.

IMG_2781.JPG

IMG_2784.JPG
 
I enjoyed seeing your retired 'Lamb-punches' again, too r8shell.

Wow, those thrifty old timers sure knew how to extract every last bit of cutting value out of a blade!
The tip of that old TEW sits above the frame, and I'm trying to decide if I can file down the kick enough to make it pocketable. I must be a "thrifty old timer". :p
 
The tip of that old TEW sits above the frame, and I'm trying to decide if I can file down the kick enough to make it pocketable. I must be a "thrifty old timer". :p

LOL! I'm always tempted by the lure of pressing old knives back into service, as well.;)

I like what you did to that Barlow too - is it a Shapleigh?

I'm actually kind of fascinated by how the previous owners must have modified their cutting techniques, over the years, to account for that remaining sliver of blade. Or maybe they got a new one, and those ones were made 'shop knives' until they wore the edge up to the nail nick.
 
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