Guardians of The Lambsfoot!

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). Alfred continued to trade in Holly Street.

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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 s great character I think :)

I love rhem old smooth bone overs, the age and warmth just ooze from the pores. :)
 
image.jpeg image.jpeg Fellow guardians, I bit the bullet tonight and sketched a pattern for a prototype lamb foot blade. The blade has a 3 3/8" long cutting edge, and is 4 1/4" long total from tip to tang cam. The finished knife will be 4 1/2" or a hair more, closed.

I'll be roughing out a few blades and filing main bevels by hand. :eek:
I'll sketch and rough out some back springs as well. Cobble together a crude forge for hardening, cut liners, etc. etc. I figure on a couple of months, plus, before I have a finished knife in hand.

The first photograph shows the blade pattern sitting on top of the 1084 steel I have for the project. I want to get a few made here on this side of the pond before Bill Howard does! ;)

Michael

P.S. I think the blade looks nice and lamby! :thumbsup: :D
 
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I'll be roughing out a few blades and filing main bevels by hand. :eek:
I'll sketch and rough out some back springs as well. Cobble together a crude forge for hardening, cut liners, etc. etc. I figure on a couple of months, plus, before a have a finished knife in hand.

Ambitious. I like it though...exactly along the lines of projects that I daydream about but never do.
 
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I just wanted to say thank you again to mrknife for this awesome Lambsfoot. Thanks Jack. :thumbsup:. I love it.

Congratulations, that really is awesome! :) Cool pic too :cool: Well done Jack :thumbsup:

Great picture!!! Is that a wireless mouse? :)

:D :thumbsup:

Yes, just the knife (along with an appreciation for it). If you are like me, what started as a purchase more out of curiosity to try the pattern has led to an understanding that this pattern just works.

:) :thumbsup:

I love rhem old smooth bone overs, the age and warmth just ooze from the pores. :)

Thanks Ted :thumbsup:

View attachment 837283 View attachment 837280 Fellow guardians, I bit the bullet tonight and sketched a pattern for a prototype lamb foot blade. The blade has a 3 3/8" long cutting edge, and is 4 1/4" long total from tip to tang cam. The finished knife will be 4 1/2" or a hair more, closed.

I'll be roughing out a few blades and filing main bevels by hand. :eek:
I'll sketch and rough out some back springs as well. Cobble together a crude forge for hardening, cut liners, etc. etc. I figure on a couple of months, plus, before I have a finished knife in hand.

The first photograph shows the blade pattern sitting on top of the 1084 steel I have for the project. I want to get a few made here on this side of the pond before Bill Howard does! ;)

Michael

P.S. I think the blade looks nice and lamby! :thumbsup: :D

Wow! What a great project Michael, looks like you're off to a great start :) Looking forward to seeing this progress :thumbsup:
 
Surprised how much I like the blade shape.

It's over 45 years since I was given my first Lambsfoot, and I am still slightly surprised at just what a great blade shape it is :) A shame we don't yet know more about its origins, and who to thank for its design :thumbsup:
 
It's over 45 years since I was given my first Lambsfoot, and I am still slightly surprised at just what a great blade shape it is :) A shame we don't yet know more about its origins, and who to thank for its design :thumbsup:
Seems they knew what would work.
 
Good morning gentlemen. I am curious about the A. Wright Lambsfoot with the pruner handle.
In pics it appears to 'sway back' more than the standard model, and if this is the case I think I would really enjoy this one.
Does anyone have any comparison pics of these two together, of care to share their thoughts on the differences?
 
Good morning gentlemen. I am curious about the A. Wright Lambsfoot with the pruner handle.
In pics it appears to 'sway back' more than the standard model, and if this is the case I think I would really enjoy this one.
Does anyone have any comparison pics of these two together, of care to share their thoughts on the differences?

It's a Swayback frame, and most of us find it gives enhanced ergonomics compared to the straight frames. The two knives I posted pics of above both have the Pruner/Swayback frame. The ones below don't :thumbsup:

A.Wright Straight Sambar Lambsfoot 1-5.JPG

AW Ivory Senator 1-1.JPG

AW Walnut WB Lambsfoot 1-8.JPG

Wright's do three sizes of Swayback frame :thumbsup:
 
It's a Swayback frame, and most of us find it gives enhanced ergonomics compared to the straight frames. The two knives I posted pics of above both have the Pruner/Swayback frame. The ones below don't :thumbsup:

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Wright's do three sizes of Swayback frame :thumbsup:
Thanks! I'm almost ready to order another but want to make sure I order the right one. Some seem to sway back more than others and I wasn't quite sure which to look for. For me, the more sway the better :D
 
View attachment 837440 Rose wood fresh from across the pond!

Very nice :) :thumbsup:

Thanks! I'm almost ready to order another but want to make sure I order the right one. Some seem to sway back more than others and I wasn't quite sure which to look for. For me, the more sway the better :D

It might be worth writing PRUNER HANDLE in block capitals on the order form! :D What covers are you thinking of getting?
 
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