2012 California Hammer-In - October 19, 20, and 21st

Message from Michael and Marcie Vagnino

Hi All,

I hope the summer has been a good one for you so far and you're looking forward to the upcoming 2012 California ABS Hammer-in: Oct. 19, 20, and 21. This year's event will cost $65 pre-registered or $75 at the door.

Last year we decided as a group that most people did not like the demos going on simultaneously, so we won't be doing that this year. We will be doing a couple hands-on, mini-classes though, as many expressed an interest in that.

So first, about the mini-classes:

Bill Burke will be doing a furnace building class. Each participant will build a furnace and smelt steel. The cost is $100 per student and includes all materials.

Aaron Wilburn will be doing a class on sheath making - a pouch-style leather sheath and tooling for a blade no longer than 4". The cost is $40 per student and covers all materials.

We'd like to keep each class to 6 participants. We are asking those interested in either of these mini-classes to let us know now by sending in a deposit. This will be handled on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are one of the first 6 deposits we receive (by post mark date), you will be in the class. We won't cash the checks until Oct, and of course, we will return the checks that don't make the first 6.

Having said that, if there are one or two more wanting to take these classes, I will contact Bill/Aaron and see if they will expand their classes. In Aaron's case there might be a possibility of holding a second class. So if you are wanting to take either of these classes get your deposits in NOW!!!!

The deposits for these mini-classes should be made out to and sent to: Mike Vagnino, PO Box 67, Visalia, CA 93279. So that there is no confusion, the mini-class cost is in addition to the registration fee for the Hammer-in.

The registration fee for the Hammer-in should be sent to Cindy Sheely at the ABS. Pre-registration can be done online at ABS Website, Click: Event Registration, or contact Cindy Sheely, ABS Office Manager at [email protected], (419) 832-0400.

Now in order to make your decision on the mini-classes, I'm sure you are wanting to know the schedule of the demos, so here are the descriptions followed by the times.

Rick Dunkerly is going to do a liner-lock demo. We haven't had one of these for several years. So if you've ever thought about making this type of folder, now's your chance to learn all the tricks.

Tom Ferry is going to do another clay demo that will cover some of the more difficult damascus patterns, and how to develop your own complex patterns. This should really open some eyes.

David Lisch is going to do a D-Guard demo. This will be the first one of these we've had at the hammer-in that I can recall. If you're familiar with Dave's work you know you're in for a treat.

Dan Pfanenstiel will be doing a Hamon and Sword Quenching demo. Dan has been studying and making Japanese swords and knives for as long as I have known him (15 years) and obviously, started before that. He'll be sharing his techniques for hamon development and heat treating for swords.

Henry Torres will be doing a grinding demo. Everyone has a different way to grind and Henry will share his tips and tricks to obtain a MS quality grind.

I will be doing a lock-back demo this year. I believe this to be a first also. I really enjoy making these types of folders. I have a pretty simple way of making them, and you'll see how easy it can be.

We'll have the green coal area available again this year. For those who don't know, this is a hands-on area where you can hammer out a blade with the aid of a Mastersmith or Journeyman.

We will have lunch on Friday and Sat provided by the COS Ag Club, as in the past. The sales for the lunches provide funds for the COS Ag Club and we like to support these students. Not to mention, COS provides the facility to us at no charge which allows us to keep the attendance fee for the Hammer-in down for you!

We won't be doing the dinner Saturday night at COS this year. We have looked at other venues and they all ask for a hefty deposit. So, we'd like to hear from you on this. If you'd like to have a dinner on Sat night, let us know. If many of you are interested, we will investigate further. It will take getting advance deposits from you for the dinner, but first I need to know if the interest is there.

One more thing, some of you in the past have offered to bring equipment if needed. Well, if anyone has a 25# or 50# mechanical hammer they care to drag here to the Hammer-in, I'm sure Bill Burke would love you forever. Apparently, Bill doesn't like my press.

That's about it for now. If you have any thoughts or questions give me a call (559 827 7802) or e-mail. Hope to see you all in October.

Take care,

Mike and Marcie Vagnino

[email protected]

P.S. GET YOUR DEPOSIT IN FOR THE MINI-CLASSES NOW. And, REMEMBER TO BRING A FRIEND!

and of course, always appreciated if you can bring an AUCTION ITEM.

Here's what's planned for the 2012 schedule:

MINI-CLASSES:

Aaron's class will be Friday morning 8:00 - 12:00

Bill's class will start Friday morning 8:00 - 9:00/9:30, then continue Sat. 8:00 until finished.

DEMOS

Friday

8:00-10:00 - Tom Ferry, Clay damascus

10:00-12:00 - Rick Dunkerly, Liner-Lock folder

12:00-1:00 - Lunch

1:00-3:00 - Dave Lisch, D-Guard

3:00-4:00 - Tom Ferry, Clay damascus cont,

4:00-5:00 - Dan Pfanenstiel - Hamon demo and sword quenching

Saturday

8:00-9:00 - Rick Dunkerly, Liner Lock cont

9:00-10:00 - Henry Torres, Blade grinding

10:00-12:00 - Mike Vagnino, Lock-back folder

12:00-1:30 - Lunch and show set up

1:30-3:30 - Knife show

3:30-4:30/5:00 - Auction

4:30/5:00-6:00 - Roundtable

Sunday

8:00-9:00 - Mike Vagnino, JS and MS requirements

9:00-10:00 - David Lisch

10:00-12:00 - Bill Burke, forging out the smelt

DOWNLOAD - 2012 California Registration Form and Flyer

California-Flyer-2012EDITED.pdf