For the last five years, I have been an honored attendee/participant/co-founder/knifemaker/etc.
at The Fox River Knife Makers Rendezvous on the Fox River Northwest of Chicago.
It was started by a knife collector and enthusiast, Rob Lindquist.
It takes place along the Fox River in a public park.
Rob, being an avid collector, took it upon himself to begin a "gathering" to bring makers and enthusiasts together for a casual day of food, knife making, friendship creating, etc., and to plant "seeds" in the minds of people who were new to knife making.
He is also the owner of a tavern almost directly across the street and knows many local people as well.
After we got the first year behind us, we came up with the idea of having a knife "theme" for each year.
All the talents on the roster would pool their individual creativity and make a knife in ONE DAY! each year.
This is this year's knife.
Mark Nevling, from Illinois, brought along a low layer billet of O2 and nickel.
With the help of myself, (Karl B. Andersen), Robert Rossdeutscher, and an apprentice steel smasher, Matt Amos, we drew out the billet into a bar.
I then forged the Brute de Forge guard and handle, Mark Nevling and Robert Rossdeutscher forged out the blade.
Ron Rosenbaugh did the grinding after some thermal cycling had taken place.
Robert.R. then hardened the blade and did one of his "special" temperings.
Ron R. then did the finished grinding.
Mark and Rob then etched the blade.
After that, Tim Horan did a handle wrap.
Now, all the while this was going on, Affeelia Nevling, who does some AMAZING glass bead work, was creating the glass bead for the knife dangly "thingy".
Throughout the day, Mary Rose was doing the FRKR logo scrimshaw on a piece of tagua nut.
Now, not to mention that while all this was going on, we were all entertaining the guests, eating tons of food from the over night hog roast, etc., etc.
When all was said and done, this is what we ended up with.
I will also now mention, that the previous three knives all reside - as this one will - on the wall behind Rob's bar for all his patrons to see.
Rob Lindquist really needs to be recognized for his contributions to knife making promotion and asking nothing in return.
Anyway, just wanted to share what I enjoy doing so much.
Thanks.
L~R: Karl B. Andersen/J.S. , a little knife making gnome behind Mary Rose, Tim Horan, Robert Rossdeutscher/J.S., Affeelia Nevling, Mark Nevling, Rob Lindquist, Matt Amos, Ron Rosenbaugh.
And, the knife:
Topic: What can be done in one day (Read 627 times)
