St Judes Forging Crash Course 2012-14

[tippit]

For the St Judes Auction of 2012, I donated a come forge your own knife in the morning & hog hunt in the afternoon.  Xroadshunter (George Galan) won the listing but unfortunately...

1) He couldn't make it last year.
2) I lost my hog lease this year when the Bacon Strip was sold    :(

He called this spring saying he and Rushlush (Jesus Martinez) would be turkey hunting on Jesus's lease not far from our farm in Aiken.  Not being able to offer the hog hunt, I felt a little better in offering Two for One Forge-a-thon for George & Jesus.  We had a great time with both guys swinging hammers on hot steel.  They pounded 90% of their blades. I just refined the blades, ground, and heat treated them.  Here they are ready for Sheep Horn handles going on today.  We finished the day with a steak dinner.  Then they were on their way back to talk to some SC birds.

 
I know they have some pictures so as soon as they realize this post is up maybe they'll post some.  Thanks George & Jesus.  I had a great time sharing my passion and finally meeting Jesus...tippit

   

[rbcorbitt]

Cool!  I would have loved to been in on that !  

[Ray Lyon]

Now that's a memory made!!!

congratulations to the 'knife makers' and thank you for the great donation Jeff.          

[ron w]

Wow......that's a cool way to spend some time!!!

[rushlush]

Tippit it was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for letting me in on the forging of my own knife and the hospitality. I had great time. Again thank you!

[awbowman]

Can't get any better than a Tippit knife guys.  That's a knife for a lifetime.  I hear tell that they are scarcer than hen's teeth though, hold on to them.

[tippit]

Just finished the Sheep horn for Jesus (bottom knife) and Ram's horn for George (top knife).  By the way George, I did leave a bit of your hammer ding in it     Hope you guys like 'em after all ya'll made 'em    

   

[Whip]

Great looking knives!  Best part though was just being able to spend a day at the Tippit and Molly spread.  Priceless!

[SheltonCreeker]

Man that sounds like a blast. Ive enjoyed Tippits company the last couple springs turkey hunting. Ive heard tales of his forge I can't imagine spending the day with him working metal. Sounds like a blast.

[tippit]

I had a little extra Ram horn left over...just enough for a small 6 1/2 inch neck caper.

   

Dave...
Here's the Tippit Forge South.  Notice the sign, Zach forged it out for me.

   

   

[elkken]

Sounds like a load of fun ,,,, fine looking blades

[xroadshunter]

I just have to say that Jeff went above and beyond all expectations.  Jesus and I had a great time and learned quite a bit during our stay with Jeff and his family.  From learning to not be timid with the hammer to shooting a round on Jeff's make shift water bottle course with his grand-son and son-in-law to ending the day with a great meal and conversation with the rest of the family.

Jeff I just want to say thank you for offering the crash course.  Your generosity, good nature, and willingness to teach is one of the reasons I love this site and the people I've met.  I hope to share another camp with you soon, but for now here are some of the pics from the day.

Thanks Again!

Some tools of the trade
   

Jesus pounding the steal
 

Irons in the fire

 

Me trying to figure out which way the steal is going to turn
 

And the master himself
 

[cmh]

Those are some beautiful knives  

[Matty]

Veeeerrryyyy cool. I bid hard on that one!! Sorry I missed out! Looks like a great time!  
Awesome job fellas!!

[xroadshunter]

Matty you pushed me to my limit that night,but it was a blast

[FerretWYO]

Those are awesome. What an opportunity.

[Shinken]

Most-excellent report Doc!

           

Shoot straight, Shinken

   

[gregg dudley]

Awesome!  Great job, guys!

[KentuckyTJ]

Great stuff!

[tippit]

Matty,
I actually remember that night very well.  You & George were going head to head on a bidding war.  I remember trying to keep it going by offering you an incentive of a Gaggle of Girls.  Funny as Molly & I had four young unattached ladies over tonight for dinner.  Living in a Horse Community, men folk are in the minority.  It definitely is a good hunting ground for a Young Man...maybe not so much for an Old Man whose not into horses