Thanks for posting this Dan! I have attended this hammer in for many years now and am proud to be a demonstrator this year.

If you have not attended this hammer in before, I encourage you to do so. The facility is great with a large hall that is airconditioned and houses many of the demonstrations and 2 well forging shops hosting both air and mechanical hammers, and gas and coal forges. I understand that the new addition has also been completed and am excited to see it as well.

I am going to be demonstrating handles and guards and leather sheaths. In these demos, I will show the methods that I use in the respective areas.

The purpose of hammer ins is for people to learn and I hope to meet that purpose. Questions during my demos are welcome and encouraged as we are there for you.

I am excited about this event and look forward to seeing everyone there!

Brian

Like Brian, I am excited about coming back to Ohio. Dr. Jim has me helping Zoe with damascus. Anyone who has not seen him, will be impressed. Im sure he will want to make at least one mosaic of some sort. We will also make up a face patterned billet. I plan on making a blade from it so we can do some etching and finishing.

I need to get to the shop and make a chopper for the cutting. Im not sure who else will be cutting, but I need another Teddy Bear!! My youngest daughter likes it when I give them to her. Im sure the cutting will be fun.

I would say something about Butch, but we have called a truce. And I would not want to be the one who breaks it...

Looking forward to seeing everyone!!

Bill Wiggins

I will be there to keep an eye on both you guys.<img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//cool.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />

There is always a TON of info here and I have been spreading the word every place I go in the cyber world.

This is one of those events that should just NOT be missed.

Cindy and I have been to a lot of bladesmithing and blacksmithing events, all east of the Mississippi over the last 25 years and the site for the Mid American is one of the best. I am a little bit partial, number one I am a member of Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil (SOFA) and number two we only live two hours away. The facility is great, with 3 forging areas and as Brian mentioned a large air conditioned hall that is great for class room demos, the auction and the knife show.

Jim Batson has asked me to forge, grind and heat treat a knife similar to what would be used for the J.S. test knife. I’m going to go thru the same process I used on my J.S. blade and in all honesty it is pretty close to what I learned from Jim Rodebaugh’s demo at the Mid American back in 2007. Over the years I have watched a lot of demonstrators and taken a ton of notes. I have tried a lot of the techniques I learned and most work for me. Hammer-ins are one of the best ways to acquire the skills you need to make knives. All the techniques you learn may not work for you but you will learn something from each one especially if you actually try them. So I hope my demo will be helpful to anyone trying to get their J.S. rating.

I am going to try very hard not to be the one to break the truce with Bill Wiggin, I need you all to come to the event and give me moral support.

There is a great line up of demonstrators and a lot of knowledge to be gained so if you have never come to a Hammer-in this would be a great one to come to. If you have been to hammer-ins you know you don’t want to miss this one. Many thanks to Dan Cassidy for starting this post and for all that he does daily to see the success of the ABS.

I'll be bringing the Steel Mobile. We'll take care of the Green Coal Steel for the kids.(Young and old!) If anybody needs anything I would only expect you to take advantage of the FREE SHIPPING. Give us a call if you do.

Aldo Bruno

New Jersey Steel Baron

njsteelbaron.com

[email protected]

862-203-8160

"There never was a good knife made of bad steel."

— Benjamin Franklin

Hi guys,

I wanted to let you all know that Hawkins Knife Supply is pre-registered so sure to be there, make your list so you can save on shipping.

I am looking forward to the Mid America, New England was great, but a long ways from home, this is really close for us. Butch and I will be there early on Thursday so anyone that wants to get their badges or get their registration out of the way can. Can anyone tell me who’s watching Karl while he’s watching Butch and Bill? Scary! Oh, Brian T can watch them. More scary! All of you behave and play nice.

Aldo, Steel Barron, please see if you can get a back brace before you come, mess your back up much more and you will have to become the Toothpick Barron so you lift lighter stock. We hope your back is feeling better. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//smile.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Cindy,

I promise to be more careful. Poor Lynn probably thought I had a heart attack. He was looking straight at me when I went down for the count. <img src=' http://www.americanbladesmith.com/ipboard/public/style_emoticons//unsure.gi f' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':unsure:' />. I just ordered an inversion table so I can hang up side down.(I never met a bat with a back problem!)

Aldo

Rob at Beaumont Metal Works contacted me today and said that he is going to attend the Mid-America Hammer-In.

Thank you Rob!

CAMPING AT THE MIAMI COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS FOR THE MID AMERICA

Hi all,

I received information on the camping at the Miami County fairgrounds from Steve Roth, the camping fee is $25 per night for campers with electrical hookups and $10 per night for primitive campers not attaching to electricity.

This is a straight pass through to the Miami County Fairboard.

They have a very nice restroom and shower room for campers so if you like to stay right there on the grounds it is a good deal.

A recent post in the "Suggestion Box" See this thread "Ideas for Hammer-ins" got me thinking about the upcoming Hammer in at Troy Ohio.

I am a demonstrator at this hammer-in and will be doing 'Handles and Guards' and 'Leather Sheaths'. My intent was to demonstrate my techniques for fitting guards and handles and also making sheaths. I am thinking of taking a different approach and am going to ask ahead of time if there is anything that anyone would like to see in particular in these areas. While it is always good to see other maker's techniques, if there are points in these areas that are causing you difficulties, please let me know ahead of time and I will try to address them to the best of my ability.

So to that end, if there is something in particular that you would like to see from me at the Troy hammer-in, please post here, send me a PM, or email me and I will do my best to address that area. I feel that I am there for you and I don't want anyone to leave wishing I would have shown something that I didn't.

Thanks

Brian

ABS Office Manager, Cindy Sheely sent me the proof for this year's Mid America T-Shirt and it looks great. See below.

ABS Chairman Jim Batson has just sent out the Final Schedule for the 7th Mid America in advance of the event for your convenience and personal planning. This is a great line up! See below:

7^th Mid-America Bladesmithing Expo & Knife Show

Anytime Friday, Saturday or Sunday

Visit the Tail Gate Sales, Knife Suppliers, Demonstrations and the Hands on Forging

Thursday, August 25, 2011

2-6 FORGE A--------------------------------------REGISTRATION

7-9 The Caroline*---------------------------------DEMONSTRATOR'S DINNER

Everyone welcome to meet the Demonstrators

*The Caroline Restaurant, 5 S Market St. is on the Square in Downtown Troy, Ohio

Friday, August 26, 2011

8-10 FORGE A--------------------------------------JS TEST BLADE FORGING with Butch Sheely

EXHIBITION HALL-------------------------SLIP JOINT FOLDERS with Daniel Warren

SHOP B-----------------------------------------HANDS ON FORGING with SOFA

10-12 FORGE A --------------------------------------DAMASCUS STEEL with Zoe Crist & Bill Wiggins

EXHIBITION HALL-------------------------HANDLES & GUARDS with Brian Thie

SHOP B-----------------------------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Joe Keeslar

12-1 LUNCH

1-3 FORGE A---------------------------------------DAMASCUS STEEL with Zoe Crist & Bill Wiggins

EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------ABS KNIFE JUDGING with Bill Hughes & Joe Keeslar

EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------SIMPLE STEEL METALLURGY with Jim Batson

SHOP B------------------------------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Butch Sheely

3- 5 FORGE A ---------------------------------------GRINDING INTEGRAL BLADES with Daniel Warren

EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------KNIFE DESIGN with Joe Keeslar

EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------MARKETING & PROMOTION with Carolyn Hughes

SHOP B------------------------------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Brian Thie

7- 9 EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------ABS CUTTING DEMONSTRATION with Joe Keeslar

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Bring Auction Items to Auction Table

Show your Knives

Knife Show & Auction are free to the Public

8-10 FORGE A---------------------------------------DAMASCUS STEEL with Zoe Crist & Bill Wiggins

EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------KNIFE QUALITY ASSURANCE with Jim Batson

SHOP B------------------------------------------HANDS ON FORGING with SOFA

10-12 FORGE A---------------------------------------JS TEST BLADE GRINDING with Butch Sheely

EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------HANDLES & GUARDS with Brian Thie

EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------WIRE INLAY & FILE WORK with Joe Keeslar .

SHOP B------------------------------------------HANDS ON FORGING with Daniel Warren

12 -1 LUNCH

1-3 KNIFE SHOW, CUTTING & FORGING DEMONSTRATIONS

3-6 AUCTION with Auctioneer Col Billy Ray Hughes

ITEMS DONATED by ATTENDEES - see Cindy Sheely & auction Table

PROCEEDS GO TO ABS ENDOWMENT FUND, & THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY.

All Donations are tax deductible.

8-10 EXHIBITION HALL--------------------------BOWIE KNIFE & ROUND TABLE with Bill Hughes

Sunday, August 28, 2011

8-10 FORGE A ------------------------------------DAMASCUS STEEL with Zoe Crist & Bill Wiggins

EXHIBITION HALL-----------------------HAFTING INTEGRAL BLADES with Daniel Warren

10-12 FORGE A -----------------------------------JS TEST BLADE TEMPERING & TESTS with Butch Sheely

EXHIBITION HALL-----------------------LEATHER SHEATHS with Brian Thie

HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY HOME & GOD BLESS

Only 2 weeks away! So who is going?

Brian

|quoted:

Only 2 weeks away! So who is going?

Brian

Hi Brian:

I'll be going again. I always learn a lot at these and am looking forward to your demonstration. Re your request, I guess in the "guards" area, the big challenge is always the joint between the blade and the guard. I also had a bit of problem on my last one finishing the transition piece between the guard and the handle. I'll bring it for your comments. Maybe I'm just not making enough fixed blade knives! In sheaths, the most frustrating thing is getting a nice stitching line on the back side. I can control where the punch goes in, but not always where it comes out on the back. Since I own one of your sheaths, I know you have found a way to solve it. See you there.

John