Great Smokey Mt Bladesmithing Symposium Part I

[tippit]

I just down loaded my pictures from the GSMBS...over 150.  Don't worry I'm not going to do slide show    :eek:   As a matter of fact if these post get boring just say so and I'll quit.

The gathering took place at Haywood College in the Smokey Mt of Clyde, NC.  The facilities were amazing for metal working...about 20 coal forges, 50# tire power hammers, anvils, class rooms, etc.

   

   

   

     

   

Better than all that were the instructors...All  ABS Master Smiths and board members of ABS!!!

Jim Babson
Burt Foster
Greg Neely
Kevin Cashen
Daniel Warren
Tommy McNabb
B R Huges
Of course...Joe Keeslar    

When I got there on Thursday night, I thought it was a one day course on Friday after all it only cost $55!  At the pre-dinner I learned it was for 3 Days.  Couple quick calls to my wife saying don't keep the light on and adding two more nights stay at the motel, I'm all set.

The days were divided into 3 groups that lasted 2 hours/2 sessions in the morning & 2 sessions in the afternoon.  

Forge & Shop Demonstrations
Classroom instruction
Green coal forging with instructors

There was so much to pick and choose from, it was really hard cause you could only be a in one group missing out on what the other 2 groups were learning.  If you ever get the chance to do one of these big hammer-ins, by all means...just do it!  I've been self taught with the help of friends here on the Internet, DVDs, and reading.  I even had the gall to think I was starting to become a bladesmith.  This one weekend took my bladesmithing soaring to levels I couldn't even imagine.  Everyone was so helpful.  If you asked any of the masters a question, they weren't satisfied until the drew it out, demonstrated it, whatever...they wanted you to know all their tricks.

So I did realize my Best Fear...all my present finished & unfinished blades will go into a box and sealed.  I know my forged blades from now on will be better ground, better finished and better heat treated.  Plus I don't intend to miss this yearly event again...tippit

Next installment:

Mr Joe Keeslar & Brute de Forge

   

[Emmons]

More please!!!

[MYSTIKBOW]

Yeah!, You got my attention.

[tippit]

Couple more pictures of the the equipment at the college.  A lot of it was made there like the tire power hammer, the forced air gas forge, the stand for the pole vise.

 

 

[Steve Nuckels]

WOW, this is a great thread!   Thanks!   Steve

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IN GOD WE TRUST

[kbaknife]

That's fantastic!
Of the eight guys you mentioned, I've been able to work with 5 of them, in some place or another.
Place like this just MUST BE on a person's list of things to do if you really want your skills to advance.
Sometimes, just a two or three minute session with another maker can totally change your knife making "attitude".
That's great that one day turned into three!!
Even with that, I'll bet you were ready for three more!
But, then again, after learning so much in such a short period of time, you just can't wait to get back home and start using what you learned.
I look forward to more of your "show and tell".
That school looks cool!

[tippit]

Some of the topics:

Blade forging...Greg Neely
Pocket knives...Dan Warren
Damascus steel making...Burt Foster
Blade grinding...Greg Neely
Forging tongs...Dave Burnett
Handles & guards...Joe Keeslar
Leather sheaths...Joe Keeslar
Quillon daggers...Kevin Cashen
ABS knife judging...Greg Neely & R B Huges
Silver & peral inlaying...Tommy McNabb
Heat treating...Jim Babson

Plus a Cutting Demonstration & Knife Show & Auction

Yep it was just a bunch of good ol' boys pounding steel...not rocket science you say.  Although Dr Jim Babson who discussed heat treating was one of the engineers on the team that made the Lunar Landing Vehicle.  Guess he'd have to know a little metallurgy    

[tippit]

Karl, You are so dead on.  As it was I really only got to take in a 1/3 of what was going on.  I'd go back to the motel at night and re-write my notes just so I could keep as much information as possible straight.  The plan as far as I understood it...was to make Haywood College into an Eastern version of the Moran School.  Right now there is a 2 week blade forging session going on.  Then a handles & guards session. I think this was the Second Annual GSMBS.  

Wait til you see what Joe Keeslar did for me!

[tippit]

Just a side note:
For any of you that may have been at PBS Convention in Pittsburg last spring,  the auctioneer at the Knife Show was the same one at the PBS Banquet...Col Tim Ryan.  Indeed a funny Southern Gentleman!

[OconeeDan]

Sounds like you got your money's worth!
I bet you all had a blast.
Dan

[d. ward]

Wow Doc thats pretty darn neat right there.bowdoc

[Doug in MI]

Thanks for sharing.
Anything that stands out you could share with us newbies that you learned?

[imskippy]

Man would I love to go there for a day or so. I just want to learn about forging, I couldn't image the wealth of knowledge there. Skippy

[Lin Rhea]

If any of you guys get a chance to go, you will not regret it. I'm glad for you Jeff. It's a priviledge to rub shoulders with craftsmen like those. Lin

[Whip]

Very cool Jeff!  :cool:  What a great opportunity to learn from the Masters!  

 

Originally posted by tippit:

So I did realize my Best Fear...all my present finished & unfinished blades will go into a box and sealed.  

I'd be happy to store that box for you