I am looking forward to the ABS Judging Standards class that Mike Williams and I are going to teach at Old Washington.  For years Mike has been the assistant head judge of the Journeyman panel, and President Joe Keeslar has recently promoted him to head judge.  So, at the Piney Woods, students will hear what is expected for JS and MS stamps from the head judges of each panel.

We have learned over the years that if an applicant has sat in on one or more of these sessions, he/she has a pretty good chance of passing.  But, if he/she tests without attending one of these sessions, he/she is probably going to fail.  Knowing what we hope to see and what we do not want to find on a review knife is a large part of passing.  And applicants should remember: We don't want to fail anyone, but we are going to maintain standards!

Terry Vandeventer here, and I'm honored to be presenting a couple of seminars at the upcoming Fall Piney Woods Hammer-in. For those who don't know me, I am a Mississippi Master Smith ('06) and have been making knives for about twenty years. I'm down for "Handles & Guards" and "Advanced Damascus." I've done the handles & guards seminar at numerous ABS events around the country, and people seem to like it. My other seminar will be on advanced pattern formulation in damascus steel. Better than 90% of my work is in pattern-welded steel and we'll go beyond ladder and random patterns to explore some of the more complex techniques. These events are always a great time and are very important to those smiths interested in advancing to Journeyman and Master levels.

See you there!

Terry

I hope to be there after missing the Saturday classes in the spring. And congratulations on your first post BR!

Missed the spring hammer-in as I had just finished the Intro Class, and couldn't make it back that weekend. Looking forward to the weekend. This will be my first. Other than a camera and note taking materials, what else does one need to bring?

Bob

|quoted:

Missed the spring hammer-in as I had just finished the Intro Class, and couldn't make it back that weekend. Looking forward to the weekend. This will be my first. Other than a camera and note taking materials, what else does one need to bring?

Bob

Money for the auction! Also, if you want to help the ABS out and donate any items for the auction that would be great as well. Its a friendly auction and the proceeds go towards ABS costs. Bring any knife you have made that you would like a critiqued. I usually bring an old knife I've found and ask Dr. Batson what he knows about it. Havent stumped him yet!

Michael,

What types of items for the auction, and thanks for the info!

Bob

Bob, just about anything will work for the auction. Old knife books, packaged food items, wood for handles, etc. The camera and notebook are a must and be prepared to have fun and learn a lot. I will see you there.

Brion

Looking forward to the learning and fellowship!

Bob

Bob

Yes! That is exactly what it is all about.

THE FORGING AND MAKING OF A BRUT DE FORGE KNIFE

I was asked by B.R. Hughes to present a start to finish demonstration in the making of my BRUT DE FORGE KNIFE. Discussions will include the conception and history of the Brut de forge knife, different knife steels that can be used, and special tooling needed in the making of the knife. Demonstrations will be in the special forging techniques used in forging the Brut de Forge, including the upsetting and forming of the integral guard, handle and blade. Thermo-cycling the blade and annealing of the blade will be discussed and performed on the project knife.

Second phase of the demonstration will be the grinding and preparing the knife for heat treating. Mention will be made of embellishment including decorative file work and engraving on the knife prior to heat treating.

Third phase of the demonstration will be the selective heat treating of the Brut de Forge knife

The final demonstration will be that of selecting, preparing handle material and then attaching that material to the knife. Final finishing of blade and handle material and sharpening will end this demonstration. This will be one continuous demonstration. There will also be available my latest book: THE FORGING AND MAKING OF THE BRUT DE FORGE KNIFE.

SILVER WIRE INLAY

Silver wire inlay demonstration is to be on Sunday morning. This demonstration will include a discussion of special tooling that is needed to inlay silver wire along with how to make the inlay chisels, push stick, and bowling ball vise. Followed by pattern developement, techniques on how the wire is set into the wood and what woods work best for receiving the silver wire. Discussions on finishing and preparing the handle for staining and final finish will be demonstrated. Silver wire inlay kits will be available..

Look forward to seeing you there!

Semper Fi, Joe

Hi everybody!!

Been busy; but I want to join in inviting everyone to The Piney Woods Hammer-In.

There will be excellent demo's. Some truley priceless exchanges of "this is how I do that" between makers; mixed in with some of the most outrageous lying that you have ever heard.

Doc, Joe, B.R. and myself never stretch the boundries of the truth; but them other guys; well I would really look out.

Most of us stay at the Best Western in Hope; they treat us good and have put up with our knife eccentricties for years. At the hammer-ins we have an open door policy. That means if you are wandering aimlessly around the motel and see some folks sitting around playing with knives, guns, the truth, adult beverages, etc.; it is probably one of us. Step in; introduce yourself and drag out your plunder.

B.R. Hughes and myself will be doing ABS Standards together. We will be doing our best to steer you away from any pitfalls you may come upon in the journey to a rating stamp. Bring your notebook; but more importantly; bring your questions.

I am also on tap for Knife Design. We will be going into the subtle details that can make or break our latest creation. We will talk about blade shape and function. The why's and where for's of handles and guards.

Bring your knives; I will bring some; it will be good.

See ya'll there.

Mike

I just received a copy of the schedule for Fall Piney Woods Hammer-In and it is attached below for download. Have a safe trip to Washington, Arkansas.

2013 Fall Piney Woods Hammer Schedule.pdf

The Fall Piney Woods was last weekend. It was a really great one. Lots of attendees; lots of new guys and gals.

The demo's were well recieved and some very good questions made for a lively exchange of information. The weather was nice; the first cooler weekend of of a hot month.

I always come up with some new trick from the hammer-in and this year was no exception; going to try it out on the next damascus billet.

I would have posted earlier but just finished up an Intro class Fri.

Will be looking for you next spring at Old Washington.

Mike

Hello Mike,

Glade to see your post. I have been waiting for posts on the hammer-in,to see what we missed out on! I have no doubt it was a hit.

Maybe some attendees will pipe in, and share some photos.

Russell