W.F. Moran Hammer-in/Workshop, Update *Photos

[Steve Nuckels]

Would-Be bladesmiths, The W.F. Moran Foundation and the National Knife Museum conducted a two day hammer-in/workshop on the Smokey Mountain Knife Works grounds on May 6-7.  Along with the educational workshop the museum opened the W.F. Moran knife exhibit at the Knife works.  The exhibit included 50 of Mr. Morans knives. The Smokey Mountain Knife Works is located in Sevierville, TN.

The Hammer-in was geared to the beginner bladesmith, however many experienced smiths participated.  A seminar on "The Moran Way" Featuring Mastersmiths Jay Hendrickson and A.G. Barnes and others including Moran style forging demonstration was held.  Hands on forging clinic and instruction on heat treating.

Steve
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Potomac Forge

[Steve Nuckels]

The Moran workshop was a great experience and a ton of fun.  We had great weather and lots of good instruction from many outstanding bladesmiths, lots of old school bladesmiths and younger ones too!  

Here is a photo of the MS & JS bladesmiths.

 

From L to R  JS Ronnie Boydston, JS Len Landrum, MS Joe Cordova, JS and ABS Treasurer Bill Wiggins, MS Jay Hendrickson, MS Daniel Winkler, JS Shawn Hendrickson & MS A.G. "Barney" Barnes

Other notables were MS Dr. James Batson, who I had a discussion with over lunch.

 

And Mr. Houston Price who co authored the Moran book "Master of The Forge"

 

The work shop opened with a discussion on steel types and basic forging and heat treating techniques from MS Jay Hendrickson.  

Next, MS Daniel Winkler conducted a forging demo.
 

 

Steve
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Potomac Forge

[Steve Nuckels]

Then we got turned loose to forge some hot steel!  We each got a nice long bar 1/4 x 1" of 1084.
 
Check out this cool little forge, I used it and it's very effecient. Reminds me of Lins "Little Johnny"forge.
 

 

 

Me at the anvil drawing out the tang of my trailing point skinner.
 

MS A.G. Barnes a long time friend and associate of Mr. Moran gave us a history lesson on how Mr, Moran started and how his style and techniques evolved.
 

Steve
-------
Potomac Forge

[Steve Nuckels]

More forging, then JS Len Landrum showing us how he quenches a blade.
 
 

Next MS Joe Cordova demonstrated grinding.
 

Day two and some pics of the Moran exhibit Later.
Wait til you see those knives!!!

Steve
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Potomac Forge

[GabeO]

wow so much to learn man whish i was there

[oldpaths]

Man, I hate that I missed that.
Sure looks like yall had fun!!!
I only live about an hour and half from there and if I only knew that was going on......  

[tippit]

Steve,
Keep it coming.  Hammer-ins of this caliber cut years off your forging learning curve.  Can't wait to see some Moran knives and your forged blade.  Good job!

[Bobby Urban]

How fun - If anyone knows of something like this happening near Michigan???  Please let me know.  I can only imagine how much can be learned by a hack like me seeing experts actually do their work.  Much better than my tial and error(lots of error) learning method.

[Steve Nuckels]

More Moran Workshop photos.
Day two started with more forging instruction, we were able to move to different forge/anvil setups with different MS & JS instructors.

I'm tweeking a "High Clip" hunter with the "Bopper"
 
 

After lunch we had a Q&A session
 

More forging...
MS Daniel Winkler was forging this interesting little knife.
 

I forged three blades in the two days of the workshop.  
Top one will be a slim fighter 7" blade with a coffin handle.
Middle is a "High Clip" hunter 5" blade with a curly Maple handle.
Bottom is a trailing point skinner 4.5" blade and more curly maple.  I have so many projects waiting on the bench now.  Hope I can get to these soon.

 

[Steve Nuckels]

Here are more photos.

The W.F. Moran exhibit at the Smokey Mountain Knife Works/National Knife Museum was outstanding, many, if not all the knives were from Mr. Morans personnal collection, he had the forsight to keep many examples of his own work for future display.  Here are just a few of the fifty items/knives on display.
     
   
   
   
   
   

[Steve Nuckels]

Who want's more?
 

And last but not least, one of my favorites. This was one of the first damascus knives Mr. Moran made!  I will use this type handle on my trailing point that I forged.
 

Here is a photo of the opening of the exhibit, Jay & Nancy Hendrickson making opening remarks.
 

The SMKW and the museum are a must see if you travel in or near eastern Tn. What an experience.

Steve
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Potomac Forge

[DANA HOLMAN]

Steve, that was great, glade you got to go and see all of his work and look like you had fun at the hammer-in, thanks for shareing
dana

[Lin Rhea]

This was very interesting Steve. Mr Moran's work has inspired a lot of current makers. It seems that he still is.

[Idahomike251]

Steve, Thanks for posting this informative piece. I do "stock removal", but I sure appreciate what it takes to forge a blade. Mr. Moran was a legend when I started making crude 01 steel knives back in the early 70's.

[tippit]

Steve,
Thanks for taking us along.  I love these events!

I was at the Tenn Classic 2 weeks ago.  It is a very neat primative archery shoot.  The craftsmen & women's skills were amazing, doing all sorts of selfbows, knapping arrow heads & flint knives, selling primative supplies.  That Winkler knife is exactly what I was thinking about as I was collecting several handfuls of flint chips on the floor by the knappers area.  I'm wanting to do a fire/steel blade and that one fits the bill.

[kbaknife]

That will be a time you'll never forget. And what a great bunch of guys to hang with for a few days.
I really like your top knife destined to be a fighter.
That has a LOT! of character.

[amar911]

I really appreciate you taking all of us along with you to the hammer-in. It would be nice to have the skills that many here on the knife forum have, but for those of us who don't, it is still great to be able to admire those who do.

Allan

[Nosight]

Thanks for taking us on a great trip..

Looking forward to see what comes out of your work now..

Later....Buzz