Bowie's Hammer-In - Oct. 11, 12, 13 in Knoxville

[hso]

October 11-12-13: Bowie's Hammer-in 2013 at Claiborne's Forge, Knoxville TN. Contact Ron Claiborne ("Bowie") at 865-660-1569.

Among the demonstrators expected:

Jim Batson
Alex Daniels
Jesus Hernandez
Alan Longmire
Bill Wiggins
Richard Williams
Mark Zalesky (definitely NOT forging)
and more TBD...

• Numerous demonstrations on various aspects of bladesmithing and knifemaking; from hammer work to the finer points of knife construction, design, and ornamentation.
• Discussions about the "Bowie Knife" and other classic knives of America’s past
• A mini-knife show featuring handmade knives crafted by those in attendance (Saturday afternoon)
• An “iron in the hat” raffle that will include supplies, tools, knives, and other items (Saturday afternoon)

Knifemaking supplies and books will be available from a few dealers on site. Vendors are welcome, and tailgate sales encouraged!

Admission: FREE (free camping is also available onsite, no RV hookups)

Location: 2918 Ellistown Road, Knoxville, TN 37924
Directions: take I-40 to Rutledge Pike (exit #392), go north on Rutledge Pike 5.4 miles to
Ellistown Road. Left on Ellistown Road, 0.9 miles to #2918 (just past the 4 way stop, you’ll see
the cars and tents ahead on the right hand side of the road.)

 

[Owen]

Hso,

Do you know if there are events like this in Indiana? I belong to a hackerspace that likes to host these kinds of things, and I think the local community would be very interested.

 

[hso]

There is an ABANA affiliated group there that holds hammer-ins. They usually knock off at the end of summer and start back up after the first of the year for some reason.

I don't see anything on the American Bladesmith Society schedule for Indiana for the rest of the year (next one in KS).

 

[Sam Cade]

There is an ABANA affiliated group there that holds hammer-ins. They usually knock off at the end of summer and start back up after the first of the year for some reason.

The Indiana Blacksmithing Association?

http://www.indianablacksmithing.org/meetings.html

 

[hso]

That won't do him much good since they're heat and beaters and he won't have the needed equipment in a hackerspace.

 

[hso]

BTW, Sam, are you going to come down for the event?

 

[Sam Cade]

BTW, Sam, are you going to come down for the event?

Big Sam (Sam O) or Little Sam? (Sam C)

I'd like to go but it is going to be the last weekend with my wife before she leaves to teach for a month in Catalonia.

 

[hso]

Then you can start missing her early.

 

[hso]

First birch bark scandi done by James Gibson (now I understand birch bark grips!).

 

[hso]

Wayne Coe presented most of the day.

The Aristotle forge/smelter was constructed.

James Gibson took one of Fred's cable damascus pieces from rough to 600 grit field finish in just over 40 minutes.

 

[Sam1911]

Me Sam? My life hasn't changed enough, or in the right directions, to free me up for travel at this point. :-[

I might get to the Bill Moran museum, show & auction tomorrow, though.

Or I'll be working on my own stuff.

 

[hso]

Off to Bowie's.

I'll try to post pics from there of the Aristotle forge running to produce a steel bloom and of some of the more interesting knives.

If you're in the area this afternoon, today is the Iron In The Hat raffle where some of the makers will contribute knives and material and equipment for the fundraiser that pays for this "free" event.

 

[hso]

The Aristotle forge being fed and tended.

 

[hso]

The melt and several pounds of carbon steel from the Aristotle.

 

[hso]

Various pics including a first timer at the anvil, a much younger more experienced smith being helped by two of the best, some remarkable ornately carved/forged knives.

 

[hso]

Hand hammered and worked bronze dagger one of the guys did.

 

[Sam Cade]

Hand hammered and worked bronze dagger one of the guys did.

Oh my.




That is amazing.

 

[hso]

I should have gotten a picture of the bronze eared spear head he hammered out as well. Since the dagger is now mine, I might just go after the spear head.

 

[hso]

Here's Alan Longmire forging a 1700's war hawk.