I am glad to hear that you are coming John! I look forward to seeing more of your folders.

Thanks for your input on the guards and sheaths. My intentions are to take information like this and address it during the demonstrations.

Just registered - seeing that Wiggins was on board sold me.

Hi All,

I wanted to update everyone on the Mid America registration. We have 40 pre-registered, which is great, it will be a fantastic event. On line registration will need to close early Monday the 22nd in order for me to have all the badges and paperwork ready to go on time and you all know Butch hates when I make us late.

Per Steve Roth: arrangements are made for the "Caroline" in downtown Troy for the dinner Thursday evening, we have advised them that advance registrations are up and they will do what they can to accommodate us. Also Laura Hostetler will be setting up the same type of food service in the back corner of the registration building as was done in recent years.

We will be setting up for registrations on Thursday afternoon in the SOFA building and will be moved into the big building by 7:00 am Friday morning.

See you there!

Anyone who's stayed in Troy before have advice on hotels? I called up the super8 today and asked about the ABS rate, and they quoted me $4 more than what the price online was...

James

I simply list the names and contact information for the accommodations that are in close proximity to the Mid America Hammer-in in Troy, Ohio that Chairman Jim Batson provides to me. We do not have an "ABS Rate" arrangement with any of the area hotels for this event. I have been to almost all of the prior Mid America Hammer -Ins and stayed at several of the hotels listed on our website for this event and had a good stay at each.

James

I have only stayed at the Super 8 every time I have gone to this event. This hotel seems to be popular with the attendees of the Hammer in. There is a restraunt right next to the Hotel that many in the past have met in the morning for breakfast.

Brian

Cindy Sheely just sent the Absolute Final Schedule to me this afternoon and it has been slightly modified. This is the Final Schedule:

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

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HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY HOME & GOD BLESS

ABS Office Manager, Cindy Sheely, reported tonight that we had a record number of attendees with 82 registered at the Mid-America Hammer-In. ABS Chairman Jim Batson and Vice Chairman Joe Keeslar presented the award for winning the cutting demonstration to Joel Worley at the American Bladesmith Society's 7th Mid America Hammer-In held August 26 - 28, 2011 in Troy, Ohio at the Miami County Fair Grounds and hosted by SOFA.

Hammer-In Demonstrator Brian Thie reported that three (3) ABS Apprentice Smiths took and passed the Journeyman Smith Performance test today at the Mid America Hammer-In. Congratulations! I will publish their names as soon as that information is sent to me from Ohio.

I would like to thank all the folks from the ABS for their hard work putting on this event.

Much to my misfortune I had to leave the Hammer-in early

The vehicle I provided for my wife with while borrowed her little car (My Truck) developed major mechanical problems.

Q.-What's worse than your truck quitting on you. A.- Your truck quitting on your wife.

There were a few folks who wanted to buy some of my cable damascus billets who I told I would be available on Saturday.

So if anyone is still interested feel free to PM me on this forum.

Billet prices are $20 and $25 for 7/8"single extra improved plow share (1084) cable.

Thanks again to everyone the demonstrations were great.

Hopefully I will have better luck with the vehicles next year.

Steve

I would like to thank The ABS and SOFA for a really great set of demonstrations. All the demonstrators were top notch as usual. Thanks to everyone.

Thanks Charles!

It was a great time. As a demonstrator, I felt the people at my demos had great questions and interaction in the demo that was a benefit to everyone there.

A big thanks goes out to SOFA. I just cannot say enough about their facility and hospitality.

This is a picture of Butch at the new forge in the new shop.

This is Dr Batson demonstrating in the other shop. The dozens examples of other's work on the walls is amazing as well.

Brian

Russel Roosevelt cutting bottles during the cutting competition.

During my Sheath Demo, I was asked how I determine thread length for stitching a sheath. While I cannot get an excel file on the web, this is a screen shot of what the program looks like.

Thread length Excel file

Type the words in cells A1, A2, A3, A5, C5 and C6. Type the formulas into B5 and B6. Leave the " " marks off when you type in the formulas.

To use, simply type in your measurements in cells B1, B2, and B3 and it will tell you how much thread you need.

The thickness makes the assumption that the sheath is the same thickness over its length. My sheaths taper so I pick a midpoint or average thickness. you may also use the thickest point to make sure you have enough.

If you have problems with the program, email me and I will send you a copy.

Brian

Brian:

Thank you for the great tip!

I also want to report that several ABS members took and passed their JS Performance Test at the Mid America on 8/26/2011 with Mastersmith Joe Keeslar presiding and they were:

Joseph F. Estep - passed

David Wesner - passed

Lon E. Humphrey - passed

Congratulations!