[TheForge] Latest Blade Symposium Update

Fri Jan 17 22:05:00 2003

Here is the latest info from Jim Batson concerning the upcoming blade=20
symposium.

April  4-6, 2003

The Fifteenth Annual Batson Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show

at

TANNEHILL IRONWORKS @ Exit 100 off I-20, 11 miles West of BESSEMER, ALABAMA

Artisans will demonstrate their craft.  Hands-on Mini- Seminars will be=
 taught.

Participate in the CUTTING COMPETITION conducted by Jerry Fisk on Friday=
 night.

Bring a sharp knife with forged blade 10 inches or under & total length not=
=20
over 15 1/2 inches.

Handle must be pinned with a wrist thong for safety.

Bring examples of your work  for the KNIFE SHOW, COLLECTION EXHIBITS &=
 AUCTION.

The  Knife Show and Knife Collection exhibits will be on the afternoon

of Saturday April 6, 2002 from 2  to 4:30 pm.

The KNIFE AUCTION will begin immediately after the KNIFE SHOW.

Collectors and knife enthusiasts are encouraged to attend the Symposium

and learn first hand how modern knves are forged and  made.

Participate in the Railroad Spike Knife Contest.  Bring a unique railroad=20
spike knife.April 4-6, 2003

----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------------------

The Fifteenth Annual Batson Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show

featuring

FORGING MEDIEVAL AXES--------------DOC PRICE MORRIS

EXOTIC PATTERN DAMASCUS -------------------------DEVIN THOMAS

THE HAFTING OF A KNIFE---------------------------------CLESTON SINYARD

KNIFE GRINDING, FIT & FINISH-------------------------------------GREG NEELY

MEDIEVAL SWORD FORGING-----------------------------------------KEVIN CASHEN

CUTTING COMPETITION---------------------JERRY FISK & GREG NEELY

LINER LOCKS & AUTOMATICS---------------------MELVIN PARDUE

FANCY  LOCK BACK FOLDERS  -----------BOYD ASHWORTH

OLD TIMEY KNIFE MAKING---------CHUCK PATRICK

BLADE FORGING --------------------JOE KEESLAR

PRESSING & CASTING KNIFE & SHEATH FITTINGS--------------ALEX  DANIELS

DAMASCUS ETCHING & FINISHES-------------------------STEVE SCHWARZER

ABS  KNIFE JUDGING-------------------B R HUGHES & JOSEPH KEESLAR

THE WAY OF THE BLADESMITH---------------------------DON FOGG

HEAT TREATING-------------------------------JAMES BATSON

TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SILK WRAPPED HANDLES------WALLEY HOSTETTER

BASIC TOOLS & ENGRAVING ----------------------BILLY  BATES & JESSE HOUSER

HANDS-ON BLADESMITHING -----------HARRY BROCK & GLYNN HOLMES

LEARN TO SCRIMSHAW-------------------------------------MARY  BAILEY

RENDEZVOUS SHEATHS----------------------------TOM STERNS

LEATHER SHEATHS----------------------KENNY ROWE

BADER GRINDERS------------------DAN JOHNSON

AUCTION----- COLONEL ANTHONY GOODRUM

TAIL GATE & KNIFE SUPPLY SALES

These artisans will demonstrate their craft and teach hands-on=
 Mini-Seminars.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
---------------------------

AUCTION

The Alabama Forge Council is a non-profit organization with over 600=20
members.  The Forge Council gives more than thirteen scholarships a year to=
=20
deserving Blacksmiths. The Clarence Kilby Scholarship is funded from this=20
auction.

ABOUT THE DEMONSTRATORS

BOYD ASHWORTH, Powder Springs, GA.  A prot=E9g=E9 of James Schmidt and fine=
=20
craftsman will teach lock back folders.

MARY BAILEY, Nashville, TN.  Mary  is an outstanding scrimshander and=20
teacher.  Her work can be seen on the best of knives. Learn to scrimshaw a=
=20
pendant.

BILLY BATES, Decatur, AL.  Billy does exquisite engraving with graver and=20
hammer.

HARRY BROCK & GLYNN HOLMES, These AFC members will demonstrate and aid you=
=20
in making a Railroad Spike Knife for the judging.

KEVIN CASHEN, Hubbardston, MI. This Master Smith and a student of Saxon=20
Swords will demonstrate sword forging & grinding.

ALEX DANIELS, Town Creek, AL. Alex will form sheath fittings and pommels=20
out of sheet silver using a press.  He will also demonstrate Silver Casting.

JERRY FISK,  Locksburg, AR. This Master Bladesmith has been devising=20
cutting tests for years, so be

prepared and bring your favorite camp or Bowie knife for the cutting=
 contest.

DON FOGG, Jasper, AL.  This full time master has forged blades for over 30=
=20
years. He will reveal the way of the Bladesmith.

COLONEL ANTHONY GOODRUM, Bayou La Batre, AL. Anthony  is a blacksmith &=20
licensed auctioneer .

JESSE  HOUSER, Star, NC. Jesse is an excellent engraver and teacher. He=20
taught engraving  at Montgomery Community College in Troy, NC.

WALLEY HOSTETTER, SAN MATEO, FL. Walley will show you the true Japanese=20
method of wrapping sword handles.

BILLY RAY HUGHES, Texarkana, TX.  B. R. Hughes - a 1993 Cutlery  Hall of=20
Fame inductee &  a  founder of the American Bladesmith Society has been=20
judging  knives for the ABS Journeyman and Master stamps from the beginning.

DAN JOHNSON,  NY.  Dan is a sales representative of the Stephen Bader Co.,=
=20
the maker of knife grinding equipment.  He can solve your grinding problems.

JOSEPH KEESLAR,  Almo, KY.   This Master Bladesmith & gentleman will=20
demonstrate the forging of a blade .

DOC PRICE  MORRIS, Plymouth Devon England, will forge a Medieval Axe=20
&  conduct a mini class on swords. Doc Price is an internationally known=20
swordsmith and Bladesmith.  He has appeared on the History Channel on=20
"Ancient Swords" in conjunction with the Leads Museum which now houses the=
=20
Tower of London collection of edged weapons.

GREG NEELY, Houston, TX. Greg, an ABS Master Bladesmith and ABS=20
Treasurer,  will demonstrate Blade Grinding and knife finishing. Greg's=20
work is exquisite and can be seen on many of the ABS Directors knives

MELVIN PARDUE, Repton, AL.  Melvin is the Vice President of the Knifemakers=
=20
Guild and designs production knives.  He is known for his fine folders and=
=20
his willingness to improve and perpetuate the craft.

CHUCK PATRICK, Brasstown, NC.  Chuck is truly a master with the hammer=20
and  anvil.  Chuck will make a knife from start to finish without power=
 tools.

KENNY ROWE, Hope, AR.  Kenny  is a fine leather crafter and maker of good=20
durable  knife sheaths.

STEVE SCHWARZER, Pomona Park, FL. Steve will assist and supply you with=20
knife making knowledge .

TOM STERNS, Tuscaloosa, AL. Tom is one of the original Alabama Forge=20
Council Members. You will enjoy his  period type sheaths &  old tools.

CLESTON SINYARD,  Elberta, AL. Cleston was the first to weld stainless=20
damascus &  was one of my teachers. He will demonstrate his method of=20
hafting a knife.

DEVIN THOMAS, Panaca, Nevada.  Devin

manufactures unique patterns in Damascus.  His steel is used by most of the=
=20
stock removal knife makers who buy their steel.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
----------------------------------------------------------------------------=
--

AGENDA

Thursday, April 3, 2003

1 to 9 pm...................................................Check-in

5 to 7 pm..............................Demonstrators Dinner

Friday, April 4, 2003

7-8 am.......................................................Check-in

8-12 noon.......................................Demonstrations

Lunch

1-5 pm......................................Hands-on Seminars

7-9 pm......................................Cutting=20
Competition

Saturday, April 5, 2003

7-8 am.......................................................Check-in

8-12 noon.......................................Demonstrations

Lunch

1-2 pm............................................Demonstrations

2-4:30 pm.........Knife Show & Collectors Exhibition

4:30-7 pm....................................................Auction

Sunday, April 6, 2003

8-12 noon.......................................Demonstrations

Departure

TANNEHILL IRONWORKS

An Alabama State Historical Park consists of an Iron & Steel Museum,=20
Tannehill Furnaces, Craft Cabins, 195 improved campsites, Gristmill, cotton=
=20
gin , 45 historical buildings, etc-

DIRECTIONS

Tannehill Ironworks is located at McCalla, Alabama about 11 miles west of=20
Bessemer.  From I-59 & I-20, take exit 100 and follow signs to Tannehill=20
(about 2 miles).  From I-459 take exit 1 and follow signs (about 7=20
miles).  http:www.tannehill.org

BY AIR

Fly into the Birmingham Jetport which is located 40 miles from=20
Tannehill.  Transportation will be provided, if requested.  Contact Judd=20
Clem (256/232-2645).

.

BE AWARE!

No Alcoholic Beverages are allowed at Tannehill Ironworks

PRE-REGISTRATION  &  ENTRANCE FEE

The Symposium fee is $125.00 per person.  Please pre-register.  Send  your=
=20
name, address, phone number along with a check or money order made out to=20
Alabama Forge Council to Judd Clem, 111 Yorkshire Dr, Athens, AL 35613=20
(256/232-2645), [email protected].

Master Card & VISA are accepted. Send or call in your name, address, phone=
=20
number, card number, expiration date and name on card. Email:=
 [email protected].

The entrance fee to Tannehill, a Historical State Park, is included.  The=20
knife show is free to the public.  Your knife show  table exhibit fee is=20
included in the registration fee.  Everyone is encouraged to show & sell=20
their knives.

LODGING & ACCOMMODATIONS

FOOD

A snack bar,  Sweet Shoppe & Country Store are in Tannehill.

CAMPING

Camping is available at Tannehill Ironworks near the Demonstration Area  on=
=20
Mill Creek.  Improved (water & electricity)  &  Primitive camping.=20
For  reservations call 205/477-5711.   Check in at Country store.

MOTELS

The Talladega 500 has encroached on our weekend. The    motels  toward=20
Bessemer and Birmingham are charging exorbitant prices for this weekend.=20
Accomodations are west of Tannehill toward Tuscaloosa.  Be sure to ask for=
=20
AFC rate.

Wellesley Inn & Suites, 205/556-3606, $79 + tax for suite, 11170 Will=20
Walker Rd, Vance, Al @ Exit 89  off

I-20/I-59 about 13 miles from Tannehill.

Motels @ Exit 77 off I-20/I-59  about 25 miles from Tannehill.

-Microtel Inn, 205/556-1555, $45 + tax  for 2 double beds, 6331 Interstate=
=20
Dr.  Demonstrator's Motel.

-Hampton Inn, 205/562-9000, $66+tax for two double beds,

Motels @ Exit 76 off I-20/I-59  about 26 miles from Tannehill. -Comfort=20
Inn, 205/5563232, $63 + tax for 2 double beds.

-Sleep Inn, 205/556-5696, $58+tax  for two double beds,

Shoney's Inn, 205/556-7950, $45 + tax for 2 double beds, @ exit 73 off=20
I-20/I-59 about 30 miles from Tannehill.

REMEMBER to BRING KNIVES FOR KNIFE SHOW

ITEMS TO DONATE FOR THE AUCTION

TOOLS &  MATERIALS  FOR TAIL GATE SALE

         Michael Linn
       Artist Blacksmith
      McCalla, Alabama
       AFC Webmaster
http://afc.abana-chapter.com=20=

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