Oh man this looks to be another great one! Is it fall yet?

BR Hughes sent me the flyer and schedule for the 2014 Fall Piney Hammer-In set for September 13 and 14, 2014 in Washington, Arkansas. This event is the Grand Daddy of all ABS Hammer-Ins.

Looks like we are going to have another great time at the hammer-in. Last spring we had a good turnout and I had the wrong tools on the right day <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//unsure.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' />  . I think I will just bring everything I can get into the truck this year. You know, like Mike Williams. He has a truck full of fixtures and cool jigs. Hope you all can come and enjoy the week end with us . Last spring some of the guys asked if we could have a show and tell session where we would bring knives for everyone to look at and be able to ask questions. Well, we are going to do just that. I have some cool knives for you to look at, so come on down.

Basic forging at eight. What a way to start the weekend. I will cover basic forging methods and steels to use. Also some metallurgy, such as thermal cycling, and whats going on in the steel while we are working it. Hopefully we will get one good blade for the afternoon grinding and polishing demo. Probably more grinding than polishing. Going to be a good one. Also don't forget the informal discussions around the Best Western in the evenings, some really good information in those too. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Brion

Barely over a month away! I would like to suggest that people bring items to donate to the auction. Knife related is great but some of the best sellers are people's homemade canned goods! All proceeds go to running our fine organization so let's make this the best auction ever!

The Fall Piney Woods Hammer-In has a history dating back to 1991, and it seems that on September 13-14, just a bit over a month away, we have assembled a teaching faculty that stacks up as one of the finest ever put together. Among other things, we will have the current President of the Society, Joe Keeslar, and two Past-Presidents--Dr. James Batson and Greg Neely, plus three very talented master smiths--J. R. Cook, Brion Tomberlin, and Mike Williams, as well as one of the finest leatherworkers in America in Kenny Rowe.

Something new this fall is a session we call "Show and Tell", whereby attendees may place examples of their work on exhibit, and, if they wish, have them critiqued by one of the instructors, all of whom are experienced judges. If I were planning to test for a JS or MS stamp in the next year or so, this is an opportunity I would not pass up!

Hope to see you there,

B. R Hughes

Director, Piney Woods Hammer-In

Founder, American Bladesmith Society

The Hammer-In is almost upon us again. Time to book the room and get something made up for show and tell.

The round of demonstrators are not only knowledgeable but also easy to approach with questions; use them up. That's why we are there.

Founder and legend B.R. Hughes will be on hand to answer just about any question on the ABS and the History of it that you can come up with; and will be heading up the auction. Bring something to donate! I am going to have one of Melinda's jars of world famous green pepper relish and maybe a trinket of some kind.

Don McIntosh; a gifted js has agreed to donate one of his fine pieces to be given away in the attendee's drawing.

A big thanks to him. Another good guy who steps up!

James Batson and Joe Keesler are synonymous with the forged blade. They both have "been there, done that" and can explain it in a way that even I can understand. I never fail to pick up something from those guys.

Greg Neeley will be doing Damascus and Fit/Finish. In both areas Greg is known for being very precise, super clean.

J.R. Cook is going to be doing etching and carving; both of these things are something that J.R. has down pat. Some very innovative and interesting things there. J. R. is way smarter than.........

Brion Tomberlin is doing grinding and polishing and clay hamons. Both of those are things I've got to watch and pick his brain on. I've got some W2 in the works now.

I have been tasked with jigs and fixtures and judging standards.

Jigs will be just the little odds and ends that make knifemakeing go just a little easier. Some even work!!!

Judging standards will be a discussion on what we are looking for in the knives that you are submitting for your stamp.

Fri. and Sat. night at the Best Western is open door policy. Swap lies, look at knives and other plunder, maybe an adult beverage.

See you there.

Thank you Mike. I cannot add much to that, but if anyone attending is planning on going for their JS or MS, the judging standards class is a definite. Also do bring your knives for show and tell. There will be an abundance of master smiths there. Getting your knives looked at early can only help. Much more time to correct things, if needed. Also the open door sessions in the evenings are a wealth of information. Good times. Looking forward to it.

Brion

It is going to be a great hammer-in, as always. I want you all to know that you can pre-register on the website or by calling me, Cindy Sheely, 419-832-0400, or email [email protected]. You can also register and pay at the door. Of course you can do it all at the door, but if you get on the list a badge and paperwork will be ready for you and the check in process can go smother and faster. Whatever you do, don't miss it. Pre-registration for the Fall Piney Woods will be closed September 3rd.

Online pre-registration is now closed BUT you can can register and pay the registration fee at the Hammer-In.

All you newer folks; that is different from neuter, by the way; all you newer folks be aware that there will be a gaggle of us going for supper about 6 fri. night. Just look for someone around back of the Best Western with a very unaware demeanor and Oklahoma plates. That would be Brion.

See ya.

Mike

Thanks Mike, yep that would be me. Looking forward to it. See you tomorrow. Us Okies got to stick together.

Brion

The Hammer-In was great. Lots of folks having a good time; but more importantly; ladies and gents showing a lot of interest.

It always seems to just go better when you have interest, participation, and tremendous weather.

Several new attendees and lots of regulars. One of the best out of twenty some odd years of hammer-ins.

So; if you plan on coming next year; what would you like to see for demo's? What did we do that could we do better?

mike

p.s. a young man from France was the lucky draw on the Don McIntosh knife.