Wow, that sounds like quite a line up. Looks like there will be some difficult decision to make as to which sessions to go to. I might even skip lunch Saturday and get two lobster dinners that night! They were pretty yummy last year. I wonder if Aldo Bruno, The NJ Steel Baron will be there again with his steel for sale? Hope everything works out and I can make it again this year. Who knows, maybe I'll even have a blade ready to test. (Hope spring eternal.)

Go for it! Phil.

Russell

Thanks Russell. It may be a long shot. I had to close my little home shop down some months ago as we had to move. Ended up in a condo <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//sad.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />

Since then I've been trying to expand the shop space at the high school where I teach. Managed to land a $5K grant to build a metal roofed open air smithy, but impossible conditional use and coastline permitting issues creamed us (and consumed a chunk of the $). Finally came up with an acceptable strategy for the powers that be and am moving ahead with the build on rare weekends when nothing else is going on and volunteers can rally. It's been a challenge to say the least. If all goes well it should be done in a few more weeks. Then, if I can get some time in the shop after school ends I just might be able to develop an acceptable test blade.

Crossing all my fingers and toes!

Will you be making it out to Maine for the hammer-in? It was a pleasure meeting you!

Aloha, Phil

New England ABS Hammer- In Director Mace Vitale and Dereck Glaser and Nick Rossi at NESM have put together an outstanding program for the 5th New England Hammer-In set for July 12, 13, and 14, 2013 at the New England School of Metalwork in Auburn, Maine. Mace released the schedule today and this is one event that you don't want to miss. Contact Mace Vitale with any questions or for more information at email [email protected].

Schedule:

Thursday, July 11, 2013

6pm - Demonstrator's Dinner - Pedro O'Hara's Irish Pub and Cantina, 134 Main Street, Lewiston, Maine 207-783-6200- Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

Friday, July 12, 2013

7:30 - 8am Registration - on site - Cindy Sheely, ABS Office Manager

8 – 10am - Shop - Hammer Making - Dereck Glaser/ Nick Rossi

8 – 10am - Classroom - History of Bladesmithing - Kevin Cashen, MS

10 – 12 noon - Shop - Blade Forging - Jim Crowell, MS

10 – 12 noon - Classroom - Silver Wire Inlay - Mace Vitale, JS

12 – 1pm - Lunch - on site and is al la carte and prices are very reasonable for our attendees.

1 – 3pm - Shop - Blade Grinding - Jim Crowell, MS

1 – 3pm - Classroom - Fluting a Dagger Handle/Fittings - Kevin Cashen, MS

3 – 5pm - Shop - Hamon/Heat Treat - Kevin Cashen, MS

3 – 5pm Classroom - Journey to Journeyman Smith Rating - Mace Vitale, JS

5 – 7pm - Dinner Break - on your own

7 – 9:30pm - Shop - Battle of the Bladesmiths

Saturday, July 13, 2013

8 – 10am - Shop - Hand Sanding Blades - Mace Vitale, JS

8 – 10am - Classroom - Daggers - Kevin Cashen, MS

10 – 12 noon - Shop - Forging a Dagger - Kevin Cashen, MS

10 – 12 noon - Classroom - Handles & Guards/ Guard Fit up - Jim Crowell, MS

12 noon – 1pm - Lunch - on site and is al la carte and prices are very reasonable for our attendees.

1 – 3pm - *Knife Show

3 – 5pm - *Auction - Please bring items for our auction!!!

5 pm - Lobster Dinner - on site under the tent, price is still $20, and YES, you can have a DOUBLE lobster for an additional $10 charge! You need to sign up and pay by contacting Cindy Sheely at the event registration table on Friday before the noon deadline.

*Note: The Knife Show and Auction on Saturday afternoon are free to the public.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

8 – 10am - Shop - Advanced Heat Treat & Steel Selection - Kevin Cashen, MS

8 – 10am - Classroom Knife Sharpening - Howard Schechter

10 – 12 noon - Shop - Round Table Discussion – “Knife Design” - Everyone

12 noon - End of Event - Drive Safe!

*Green coal will be running during all demonstrations. We all have to remember safety first and the rules for green coal include the mandatory use of leather topped shoes, long pants,safety glasses, and leather gloves by all.

These ABS YouTube videos below of Master Smiths Kevin Cashen and Jim Crowell give you a preview of their demonstrations at the upcoming New England Hammer-In.

[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=QFJFVmti3jM [/media]

[media] http://www.youtube.c...h?v=D8B6-iJ1VA0 [/media]

Looks great!

Lobster bake?

Phil

Yes to the lobster bake. I'll tell him to save a big lobster for you.

Saturday evening -

Lobster Dinner - on site under the tent, price is still $20, and YES, you can have a DOUBLE lobster for an additional $10 charge! You need to sign up and pay by contacting Cindy Sheely at the event registration table on Friday before the noon deadline.

I have the following message about this outstanding event from Mace Vitale, ABS New England Hammer-In Coordinator.

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to give you a heads up about what we have planned for you this year at the New England hammer in. Master Smiths Kevin Cashen and Jimmy Crowell will be demonstrating this year as well as myself, Howard Schecter,and the great guys who run the New England School of Metal work...Dereck Glaser and Nick Rossi. There will be forging and grinding demos...dagger forging, handles and guards, silver wire inlay, hand finishing, hammer forging, sharpening, and more! We will have a green coal area set up for anyone who wants to try their hand at forging a blade. Lunch will be available for purchase on site Fri. And Sat. And we will be doing a lobster bake Sat. Night ( lobster bake will be $20.- includes lobster, steamers, corn and potato...there will be a 10.- up charge if you would like a second lobster) ...we will need to know by Friday noon if you want to have lobster.... Before the lobster bake on Sat. Afternoon.

We are having a knife show and an auction. I have been to quite a few hammer ins over the years and the auctions in Maine have always been the best I've seen thanks to all who are so generous to donate. The auction is one of the ways we offset the cost of bringing in these great artists to teach...so please donate to this great cause...no item is to small...or off the wall!

One of the exciting events we will have this year is "The Battle of the Bladesmiths" on Friday night.

Local hero Nick Rossi will be defending his title...and boys...he is going to be hard to beat!

So, with all the great demos, an auction, a knife show, the battle of the bladesmiths, and a good old fashioned lobster bake I hope there is at least one thing that makes you say... " I'm going to Maine this summer!"

See you all there!

Mace

Cindy just sent me the proof for the event T-Shirt for the upcoming New England Hammer-In. Thank you Cindy. It looks great!

SWEET T-Shirt!

I can't wait! Thanks everybody.

It is the Battle of the Bladesmiths tonight. The stands are full and Jim Crowell, Herb Kettell, Matt Parkinson's and last year's champ Nick Rossi are hot at it. We will let you know how it goes

Fantastic knives were the outcome of this years battle. Nick Rossi retains his title. Congratulations Nick and all the contestants. The knives were great.

Thank you Cindy for keeping us updated on the events and congratulations to Nick Rossi who won in very a tough competition!

All reports indicate that the 5th New England Hammer-In was another huge success at the New England school of Metalwork in Auburn, Maine. I have attached some photos taken at the Hammer-In by Nick Rossi and Cindy Sheely.

Nick Rossi took some really great photos at the New England Hammer-In and this is the link to the event photos.

To view the photos, Click: NESM Photo Bucket

In addition, Nick Rossi reports that: "It was a truly superlative hammer-in this year. The demonstrations were captivating, the turnout was very good and operationally ran very smoothly."