Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

Keith ( gonebad395 gonebad395 ), I came across this post of @Cambertree's that I thought you might find of interest, but if you search through the thread there are other, more detailed, posts, with advice on sharpening :thumbsup:

...Here's an old pic of my wee flock of Lambs, each one sharpened in a different way.

bqficY3.jpg


The golden ox-horn knife was eventually laid flat on a stone and thinned out, then blended to a bit of a convex contour down to the edge with wet'n'dry paper on a mousepad.

The jigged bone handled Unity was sharpened very minimally on a ceramic hone to preserve the blade patina (it was already quite sharp and thin behind the edge, by design).

The Ebony Lambsfoot was ground to a 15 degree per side Sharpmaker edge, going through the full progression from diamond up through medium, fine and ultrafine rods.

The stag handled Lambsfoot was thinned out behind the edge on bench stones, then given a light edge apex with the utrafine Sharpmaker rods.

...

Jack's is the ultimate, but this one is pretty nice. Here it is in the middle of this excerpt from my horn display!!
Thanks very much for directing this knife to me, Jack!! (along with the knife 2 to the right!).
:
View attachment 789164

Thanks Charlie, it's a pleasure my friend, nice to see those two again :) :thumbsup:

I've just been sharpening one of my Sambar models, so I might carry this one tomorrow :thumbsup:

A.Wright Straight Sambar Lambsfoot 1-7.JPG
 
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I've been enjoying the discussion about sharpening. I may be in the minority, but I prefer my edges a bit more acute and have my Buffalo Lambsfoot (they standard one) set up with what's probably in the range of 28-32 degrees inclusive. The larger visible bevel is perhaps not as attractive to some in photos, but, let me tell, you it flies through cardboard and similar utility cutting challenges and also does a fantastic job opening package and slicing limes.

I freehand sharpen a lot of my blades, but getting down to that angle on the lambsfoot blade takes some time, so I used a KME sharpening system to make sure I did a consistent job. Since doing that I've only ever had to strop it, but, after all this talk of sharpening, I think I might give it a touch up this afternoon with the fine stones.
 
Mine was paper-slicing sharp out of the mailer, but one of the bevels felt a little frizzy. I gave it a few strokes on a fine-cut steel and a couple on a crock-stick.
It sliced my croissants quite nicely this morning, once I found the wit to angle the blade rather than saw through perpendicularly.
 
Keith ( gonebad395 gonebad395 ), I came across this post of @Cambertree's that I thought you might find of interest, but if you search through the thread there are other, more detailed, posts, with advice on sharpening :thumbsup:





Thanks Charlie, it's a pleasure my friend, nice to see those two again :) :thumbsup:

I've just been sharpening one of my Sambar models, so I might carry this one tomorrow :thumbsup:

View attachment 789168
Jack and R8shell I spent time on it today and after on and off of a few hours this thing is hair popping sharp. Thanks for all the advice it's perfect now.
 
What's the difference between this type and wharncliffe? The sheep's foot has a curve front (I wouldn't call it a tip per se) and the wharen a straight?
 
Keith ( gonebad395 gonebad395 ), I came across this post of @Cambertree's that I thought you might find of interest, but if you search through the thread there are other, more detailed, posts, with advice on sharpening :thumbsup:





Thanks Charlie, it's a pleasure my friend, nice to see those two again :) :thumbsup:

I've just been sharpening one of my Sambar models, so I might carry this one tomorrow :thumbsup:

View attachment 789168
Wow Jack!!!:eek::eek::eek:
 
Good to hear that Keith. I like others here have had success with a well deserved "time away" session. Amazing how it works out once you just walk away from it for a spell:thumbsup:

Couldn't agree more it was getting frustrating. During football and kids a few breaks worked wonders. This knife has moved a few out the pocket and is such a conversation piece when used.
 
Mine too :thumbsup: I find I have days where I'm just not in the right frame of mind, and am not getting great results, so now I tend to just set things aside and come back to a knife another time.

I wish I was better at setting them aside and coming back later. I've tried it a few times, and usually end up back at the workbench 15 minutes later. :D

I also try to remember to sharpen when sober! :D :thumbsup:

Probably a good policy, Jack! :confused: :D

I have been worrying a lot about the issue of horn shrinking over time. I think the climate here (even in my centrally-heated house) must be OK, because all my horn-handled knives, even the ones I've had for some years are OK. I had an old horn-handled walking cane with me yesterday, and noted that the silver ferrule still fits perfectly around the horn, even after more than 120 years! :eek: The same is true of another cane I have, which is 30 years older :thumbsup:

View attachment 788901

I hope my bringing it up hasn't caused you to worry too much! I imagine my experience is a bit of an anomaly given the climate here in AZ.

I'm going to attempt to make a Mulligatawny soup today, and am trying to decide whether to use my lambfoot in the kitchen. On the one hand, it's a great opportunity to take some 'in use' photos. On the other, I'm in danger of losing that 'real lamb foot' etch. What to do...?
View attachment 788931

Your Guardians Lambsfoot is looking great, r8shell!

The mention of Mulligatawny immediately made me think of this. :D


(Hope your soup turned out good!)
 
The boys and girls at A. Wright and Son sent me my very first lambsfoot today! Gotta say, I'm excited to put her to work. Was inspired by the guardians and all these enthusiasts to give one a try. Feels fantastic. Also, it and a lovely stag sheepsfoot made the journey to Taipei in around six days. Not to shabby, y'all.

Hrbq0Bf.jpg
 
I've been enjoying the discussion about sharpening. I may be in the minority, but I prefer my edges a bit more acute and have my Buffalo Lambsfoot (they standard one) set up with what's probably in the range of 28-32 degrees inclusive. The larger visible bevel is perhaps not as attractive to some in photos, but, let me tell, you it flies through cardboard and similar utility cutting challenges and also does a fantastic job opening package and slicing limes.

I freehand sharpen a lot of my blades, but getting down to that angle on the lambsfoot blade takes some time, so I used a KME sharpening system to make sure I did a consistent job. Since doing that I've only ever had to strop it, but, after all this talk of sharpening, I think I might give it a touch up this afternoon with the fine stones.

Me too Greg, I'd like to hear more on the subject :) When I pick up old Lambsfoot knives, it's interesting to see how the blades have been ground and the edges maintained :thumbsup:

Mine was paper-slicing sharp out of the mailer, but one of the bevels felt a little frizzy. I gave it a few strokes on a fine-cut steel and a couple on a crock-stick.
It sliced my croissants quite nicely this morning, once I found the wit to angle the blade rather than saw through perpendicularly.

Sounds like a good start to the day Jer :) :thumbsup:

Jack and R8shell I spent time on it today and after on and off of a few hours this thing is hair popping sharp. Thanks for all the advice it's perfect now.

Glad to hear you got it good Keith :) :thumbsup:

What's the difference between this type and wharncliffe? The sheep's foot has a curve front (I wouldn't call it a tip per se) and the wharen a straight?

The blade-shape which became known in the US as the 'Wharncliffe', (that's another discussion for another thread), has a continuous curve directly to the point, with a straight edge. The Lambsfoot has a spine which drops down very gradually, and is not parallel to the edge, (unlike that of a Sheepsfoot), and then dips towards the point, as shown here (image taken from post 2 in this thread).

lambsfoot-png.727769


Wow Jack!!!:eek::eek::eek:

Thanks Paul! :D The Indian Government's export ban on sambar stag has hit the Sheffield cutlers real hard, but occasionally they manage to get hold of some, and I was lucky enough to come across a few nice examples while visiting the factory. Here's the pile side of the one I'm carrying today :) :thumbsup:

A.Wright Straight Sambar Lambsfoot 2-6.JPG

I also got this one, which is slightly smaller :thumbsup:

A.Wright Small Swayback Sambar Lambsfoot 1-1.JPG

Ron has a couple of nice ones too :) :thumbsup:

Good to hear that Keith. I like others here have had success with a well deserved "time away" session. Amazing how it works out once you just walk away from it for a spell:thumbsup:

+1 :D :thumbsup:

Couldn't agree more it was getting frustrating. During football and kids a few breaks worked wonders. This knife has moved a few out the pocket and is such a conversation piece when used.

Yeah, I think you need a bit of time-out to sharpen, where you're not getting distracted, and you're not having to watch the clock. I'm glad it worked out in the end Keith :) :thumbsup:
 
I wish I was better at setting them aside and coming back later. I've tried it a few times, and usually end up back at the workbench 15 minutes later. :D

Yes, we've all done it...

Probably a good policy, Jack! :confused: :D

Perhaps that's just me! :eek: o_O :rolleyes: :D


I hope my bringing it up hasn't caused you to worry too much! I imagine my experience is a bit of an anomaly given the climate here in AZ.

I just wish it wasn't a concern for you Barrett :( :thumbsup:

The boys and girls at A. Wright and Son sent me my very first lambsfoot today! Gotta say, I'm excited to put her to work. Was inspired by the guardians and all these enthusiasts to give one a try. Feels fantastic. Also, it and a lovely stag sheepsfoot made the journey to Taipei in around six days. Not to shabby, y'all.

Hrbq0Bf.jpg

Congratulations, and welcome to the Guardians! :) :thumbsup:
 
I wonder if horn shrinkage could be prevented by frequent dipping or long soaking in kerosene. People talk about stabilizing natural handle materials in kerosene before using them.
 
Good morning Guardians. I've been thinking about the horn shrinkage that is getting our warmer and dryer climate friends. And I was thinking what about storing your natural scaled knives in a cigar humidor? You can find a decent one for around 150$ and they look good to. I was just figuring you can set what humidity percent you want and what works for the knives you have. I would think that it would be enough to keep them from shrinking and as long as your knives are well oiled for storage it shouldn't hurt the steel. Just a idea let us know if anyone tries it.
 
I wonder if horn shrinkage could be prevented by frequent dipping or long soaking in kerosene. People talk about stabilizing natural handle materials in kerosene before using them.

I don't know Jer, I've never heard that, but it's an interesting thought. With our frequently damp (and occasionally lukewarm) climate here, natural handle materials don't seem to be adversely affected by age. I do sometimes see signs of shrinkage on old horn, but nothing like as often as with older synthetic materials such as celluloid or MOTS.
 
Good morning Guardians. I've been thinking about the horn shrinkage that is getting our warmer and dryer climate friends. And I was thinking what about storing your natural scaled knives in a cigar humidor? You can find a decent one for around 150$ and they look good to. I was just figuring you can set what humidity percent you want and what works for the knives you have. I would think that it would be enough to keep them from shrinking and as long as your knives are well oiled for storage it shouldn't hurt the steel. Just a idea let us know if anyone tries it.

Keith, let me just say that I've been there and tried that. :D

I enjoy a cigar every now and then, and although my personal preference for cigar storage and humidification is less attractive than the nice wood humidors, it is (in my opinion) more consistent and reliable. I use locking Tupperware-type boxes (made by a company called Lock-n-Lock); the lids have a rubber gasket and latches on all four sides that lock it down tight. Inside those I have cigar boxes with the tops removed in which I store my cigars, and I use Boveda two-way humidity control packets for humidification (I prefer the 65% packets).

Now perhaps storing a horn-handled knife in there from the start might keep the horn from from shrinking, but I can say from experience with my first horn Lambsfoot that even several months in the humidor won't do anything in the way of "rehydrating" or reversing the shrinking of the horn. I'm keeping a close eye on my Guardians Lambsfoot; if it shows signs any new signs of shrinking, I may just move it in with the cigars to see if it works as a preventative measure.

YjnnO6y.jpg


(Of course, storing a knife with a carbon steel blade in a humid environment like would create a completely different concern. :confused:)
 
Keith, let me just say that I've been there and tried that. :D

I enjoy a cigar every now and then, and although my personal preference for cigar storage and humidification is less attractive than the nice wood humidors, it is (in my opinion) more consistent and reliable. I use locking Tupperware-type boxes (made by a company called Lock-n-Lock); the lids have a rubber gasket and latches on all four sides that lock it down tight. Inside those I have cigar boxes with the tops removed in which I store my cigars, and I use Boveda two-way humidity control packets for humidification (I prefer the 65% packets).

Now perhaps storing a horn-handled knife in there from the start might keep the horn from from shrinking, but I can say from experience with my first horn Lambsfoot that even several months in the humidor won't do anything in the way of "rehydrating" or reversing the shrinking of the horn. I'm keeping a close eye on my Guardians Lambsfoot; if it shows signs any new signs of shrinking, I may just move it in with the cigars to see if it works as a preventative measure.

YjnnO6y.jpg


(Of course, storing a knife with a carbon steel blade in a humid environment like would create a completely different concern. :confused:)
Yeah I wouldn't think it would rehydrate a already shrinking horn but more of a preventative measure for new horn that's acquired.
 
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