A classy, custom knife from Sheffield; Michael May Lamb(s)foot in Black Palm.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ม.ค. 2024
- Salutations, Ladies and Gentlemen! Today, I'll be discussing the last of my latest Michael May knives. This particular piece is a classic Lambfoot (or Lambsfoot) knife; a traditional English pattern favoured by farmers and shephards. This example features a gorgeous handle made of Black Palm 'wood'. Black Palm is technically not a wood, but rather a member of the same family as grass and bamboo. It has a dark colouration with a deep chocolatey-brown grain, making for a delightfully handsome handle. Double-swedged O1 carbon steel Lambfoot blade with a very stiff pull. (8-9/10) Polished brass bolsters, pins and liners. Fileworked spring and blade.
This piece is quite the contradiction. In some aspects, the fit and finish is outstanding. However, in others, it is rather subpar. Overall, it showcases Michael's main weakness: inconsistency. While I do think he has produced some examples that are less than what would be desired, I would still say I'm optimistic for him and his brand!
#britishblades
#gentleman
#edc
#knives
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You're right the camera is not the friend of Black Palm is it? So much more beautiful in real life! I have one of Michael's Clip Point Barlows in this material and it is stunning. That blade centreing is way off though.
You're never going to have perfection in an artisan made knife I'm afraid as it is just the nature of the beast. These knives are made by eye so cannot possibly achieve the perfection of a soulless computer produced item.
Glad to see you are still supporting traditional Sheffield made knives.
The camera certainly does *not* seem to want to showcase this handle! 😆 But yes, it's gorgeous in hand...it makes me almost want to look past the other issues!
Even so, I understand that some aspects of the knifemaking process can lead to flaws, but I think it would be nice if makers tried to ensure that these flaws are as rare as possible. After all, inconsistency is Michael's greatest vice!
Cheers, as always!
Love it
It's a nice one!
Cheers!
I'd agree. You can distill that knife down to one word - classy. It's not actually a word I associate with Michael May. 'Workmanlike' most often comes to mind, and I don't think he would take that as an insult. I remember him once saying that an artisan is a middle-class person doing a working class job 😄. He was a bit fiery back then I suspect. His, now older, blurb doesn't have a hint of that.
That knife would conflict and piss me off too. Just as a lovely twin blade Barlow of his does every time I pick it up. The small blade has an irretrievably mushy action. Like you, I still kept it. Like you, I'll probably buy another one. What to do, what to do.
That was such a good review from you. Thanks man 👌.
EDIT: And on the subject of Lamb(s)foot. This is rightly an issue that needs to be put to bed. So here's my take. As the end of the blade follows the profile of a lamb's foot, I'm going to suggest it should be called that. A lamb's foot. Prove me otherwise people 😈.
Got to this one a bit late, but I really appreciate the time you put into the comment.
I agree that Michael is usually more suited towards the "rugged, rustic" traditional knives, but this one is quite a bit spiffier than the norm. What's sad is that if it weren't for that one flaw, (maybe two) the knife would be absolutely amazing.
It's a shame, as I always want to support small firms and makers, particularly out of Sheffield. I just wished the consistency was a little better, as they'll sometimes crank out masterworks, and then mediocre pieces to follow!
As for "Lamb(s)foot", I prefer saying 'Lambsfoot', (as it rolls off the tongue better) but frequently catch myself saying 'Lambfoot'! From what I can see, the majority of old Sheffield "Lamb(s)foots" have "Real Lamb Foot" stamped on the blade. So while I'd like to see the great debate put to rest, I'm afraid it may very well continue.. 😅
Cheers, as always!
Yes, I've heard you say Lambfoot a few times. Funnily enough, having given my position on the debate, I then came across a very old knife on the internet and it had "Lamb Foot" on the blade. I think I might now be edging towards that. Cheers, man. @@TheKnifeRaven
@@ianrosie4431 It's all very complicated, isn't it?
I once witnessed a fellow utter "Lambfoot" in the wrong neighbourhood...you'd have thought he disgraced a man's mother at her grave! 'Tis a dangerous debate to partake in. 😅
Cheers, as always!
It's always a sorrow of mine that to ridicule ones Lamb(s)foot can so often lead to the challenge of a duel. It is indeed a sensitive matter, and not to be trifled with. @@TheKnifeRaven
@@ianrosie4431 One ponders how many lives have been lost for such a reason. 🥲
You give a fair good and honest review thats why I enjoy videos
I'm glad to hear that. I try not to let my biases interfere with my evaluations, but sometimes it can be a little hard! Despite this, I try to keep my opinions honest and articulated.
Thanks again for watching!
Cheers as always!
A beauty!
Indeed!
Cheers!
Hi mate 👋
Brilliant video and very thorough review as always!
I like to read comments on videos like this. You have had some brilliant ones.
It's unfortunate for you to get a knife like this as I'm sure it's hard to return. Would you if you were in the UK return it?
Have you seen his spearpoint he has at the momment? In bog oak?
Cheers mate...really enjoyed the video! 🫡
Hi friend!
Thanks for stopping by!
The comments are always a joy to read and respond to. In fact, it's part of my morning routine!
As for the knife. I may return it if I knew the flawless back(spring) would come out okay. Otherwise, I'm not sure I'd risk sending it in to be fixed...
And yes, I saw the Spearpoint, but in typical Michael May fashion, it sold almost instantly!
Hope you've been well! 😊
Cheers, as always!
That is a beautiful looking knife but I have to agree with you on everything you said. It's such a shame about the lack of consistency. I now own 6 M.M.'s the first five I've been happy with although as you say you can find minor faults if you're looking hard enough but generally mine have been very pleasing and i have no reason to complain. However at Christmas I bought a Clayton Barlow from Heinnie, with 10% off it was £125. And that's for a knife with a plain backspring.
Just like yours the blade is considerably off centre. Mine points the opposite way to yours. There is no blade rub but it's close. When held in the hand the knife feels 'on the wonk' ( an English expression meaning not quite level). It would seem that when the knife was held on the sander to grind the backspring it wasn't held flat so that one cover side is now higher than the other. The fit and finish is actually very good except when the blade is open and you look inside it there is a noticeable gap between the blade and liner on one side. Because of this I expected blade play but bizarrely there isn't but I can't work out why because the blade and liner don't appear to be touching at all on one side!
I think this was definitely a Friday afternoon knife but I don't know if he was rushing to get to the pub or just come back from it!
And then to round it off it is THE BLUNTEST KNIFE I've ever received. It won't even tear paper let alone cut it. Quite ironic considering that he's now advertising a sharpening service.
I happened to put the knife down beside a Lambfoot TEW that I'd just received. The TEW is also handmade in Sheffield but it cost a quarter of the price of the MM and came centred and sharp.
Am I going to keep it? Yes, because it's usable now I've sharpened it and nice to look at but it could well be the last MM I buy for a long time or at least until I'm in a more forgiving mood. It's a shame because there are at least three more MM's I want to buy but does one risk it again?
Anyway, sorry for the rant but wanted to let you know I feel your pain. ( Not literally, the knife wasn't sharp enough😂).
That Clayton sounds like a horror-show! 😱 But then again, I'd probably be more forgiving if I was it's owner. 😅 I tend to be sympathetic to knives when I can actually feel them in hand, as opposed to simply seeing photos and videos online. Still, those flaws sound quite significant, so I understand your displeasure and lack of enthusiasm to buy from Michael in the meantime.
It's pretty sad that TEW can get it right for £27, but I suppose they're not spared, as one of my worst knives came from Taylors' basic line!
Either way, I hope you can find some enjoyment in your knife, as I have with mine.
Cheers, as always!
I have to say that these two faults are irritating, especially as they are so easily avoided. The blade centring is a 10 second fix. However, it requires hitting with a setting hammer, and that is better done by Michael in his workshop. For you to do it risks damaging it. Michael might damage it too, but he can fix it, while you would have to return it and hope that he’ll still fix it.
Gaps between spring and liner, so long as they’re gaps not gapes are a common occurrence with traditional knives built on flexible brass liners. However, gaps between liners and covers are a concern. Traditional knife makers, including Michael, dish their liners specifically to avoid this. It’s one of the things that differentiate between true traditional knife makers and the faux traditional knife makers like GEC/Case/Rough Rider. They use flat, laser or water jet cut pieces in a mostly mechanised process. That’s why these companies make ‘better’ knives, but also why they’re not really traditionally made knives.
Exactly as I thought! I didn't think these flaws would be "difficult" for Michael to fix, which just puzzles me as to why he didn't bother fixing them *before* the knife left the workshop!
Either way, the quality is excellent in some aspects. That I won't fault. It's just a shame that the main problem with Michael seems to be inconsistency...
Cheers, as always!
Not that I am a SAK fan but is there a case to say that long production runs with high tech manufacturing and good engineering control techniques will yield more consistency. Equally I haven’t yet bought an Opinel that didn’t conform to standard. The knives you review are indeed very desirable but perhaps the way they are made inevitably leads to inconsistency. Perhaps Sheffield needs to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century even if they are making a traditional product.
I certainly think machines can be more consistent. It's a shame, as that would kill the desire to purchase Sheffield knives for many people, as the reason these makers still get attention is largely due to their traditionality.
I just wish there was a compromise in some way. Perhaps machines to center the blades and human hands to grind everything into shape? Wishful thinking, but if only...
Cheers!
I bought a MM ergonomic from HH recently and im sad to say it has a very mushy action ,im presuming ergonomic doesnt also mean it has a weak backspring? Im endeavoring to improve it by oiling it and opening/closing repeatedly,but a wee bit disappointed i must admit!
The Ergonomic has the lightest action out of all my Michael May knives. Perhaps it's typical? Regardless, oil should help, as most of his knives aren't smooth out of the packet.
Cheers, as always!
I was so happy for you, for the first twelve minutes, but that off centering, is just awful,
I couldn't live with that,, 😢
Here in Yorkshire, we have a derogatory saying, for cases like that,,
"he should have gone to Specsavers"
(a well known chain of opticians, over here),, as I said before, I'll not buy any more of his knives, due to his almost non existent communication skills, 🤯
Good luck sending it back to him, for fixing, it would probably take six months before you got it back.!!
ps, I fixed the raised pins on my Ergonomic, with gentle rubbing with 0000 steel wool, and Ballistol, and then buffing,,
All the best,, John
*Sigh,* that's how I felt upon receiving it. Astonishment, awe and then the gut-punch! 😅
I won't be returning the knife, mainly due to communication, shipping, customs and such. But I'm also weary of sending a knife in to be "fixed", as in the case of my Swayback, (which had it's spring break, forcing me to send it in) it was repaired, but with a multitude of new issues...
I'm glad to hear your Ergonomic is in nice condition! May you continue to enjoy it.
Cheers, as always!
@@TheKnifeRaven
As I'm sure you know, it's impossible to tell from TH-cam videos, just how absolutely fantastic an "Ergonomic" feels in your hand,, it is a work of art in the construction ,,
RIP Mr Ablett, for designing this, and to Mr May, for keeping the pattern alive,..
I will treasure my one and only hand made custom knife, for as long as I live, and it will be an heirloom, to pass on when I'm gone,,
All the best my friend,,
Bit late to the party on this video, what could have been a brilliant knife spoiled by the blade centring I have two Italian knives which cost around Ten pounds when I bought them the blades lie very close to the pile side and annoys me, but for the price I can overlook that, if I spent nearly Ninety no way, I am surprised he sent it out to be honest surely they check fit and finish before dispatch. Big shame what more can one say. 😏
Surprisingly, I still really like this knife. I've probably gotten more 'used' to it over time!
Cheers, as always!