March 13, 2020

We are sorry to inform our ABS members of the following announcement from the Alabama Forge Council:

Today is a sad day. Our past beloved President of the AFC, Mark Haddix, lost his battle with cancer. And we have to postpone the 2020 Batson Bladesmithing Symposium due to the Corona virus.

On the recommendation of Tannehill State Park, We the Alabama Forge Council will not have the 32nd Batson Bladesmithing Symposium scheduled for April 2-5, 2020. The event is postponed to another date in 2020 or to the next schedule in April 2021.

We intend to have the same demonstrators as scheduled for the reschedule date.

2020 Batson Blade Symposium

32nd Annual

Batson Bladesmithing Symposium & Knife Show

On April 2-5, 2020

At Tannehill Ironworks at Exit 100 off I-20,

11 miles west of Bessemer, AL

Demonstrators Dinner on Thursday Evening

Free to All

To Register go to the Alabama Forge Council website.

Registration Fee is $75 to AFC Members & $100 for others includes one-year membership fee in AFC

Demonstrators

Rick Dunkerley…………..…… Damascus Steel

Kevin Cashen… Sword Forging & Grinding

Joe Keeslar…........... Handles & Guards

Mickey Wise……. Early American Knives

Daniel Warren…. Slip Joint Folders

Butch Sheely……Antique Bowies

Bill Wiggins…..Handle Shaping

Billy Ray Hughes….Judging

Billy Bates….....Engraving

Colonel Tim Ryan....Auction

Joe Keeslar…….Leather Sheathes

Kevin Cashen……Sword Heat Treating

Richey Crew…….Signature Knife

Mark Zalesky…Antique Bowie Round Table

Raymond Head ………….... Youth Hands-on

Neil Faulkenberry….……..…Adult Hands-on

There will be a charge of $10

per 2-hour class for Hands-on Forging

Knife Show Fee & Tannehill State Park Fee are included in Registration

Send your name, address & phone number with registration fee

To Judd Clem, 111 Yorkshire Dr, Athens, AL 35613, or contact by phone 256/232-2645 or by e-mail, [email protected]

For more information go to www.alaforge.org

Bring items for Auction, Tail Gate Sales & Knives for Knife Show

LODGING & ACCOMMODATIONS

FOOD is available at the Country Store & Snack Bar.

CAMPING is available at Tannehill Ironworks near the Demonstration Area on Mill Creek. Improved (water &

electricity) & Primitive camping. For reservations call 205/477-5711. Check in at Country store.

MOTELS, there are many motels & restaurants off I-459 and I-20/59 toward Bessemer and Birmingham.

Sleep Inn, 205/424-0000, 1259 Greenmor Drive @ Ala-52 at exit 6 off I- 459 about 15 miles from Tannehill.

Demonstrator's Motel.

Hampton Inn, 205/425-2010, 4910 Civic Lane @ exit 108 off I-20/59 about 11 miles from Tannehill.

Best Western, 205/481-1950, 5041 Academy Lane @ exit 108 off I-20/59 about 11 miles from Tannehill

AUCTION

The Alabama Forge Council is a non-profit organization with 460 members. The proceeds from this auction will

go to the AFC Building Fund.

VENDORs

• Hawkins Knife Making Supplies

• Pops Knife Supply

• Ron Richerson Knife Supplies

• Blue Moon Press

• Charles Hegedus Blacksmith Tools

• Larry Zoeller Gas Forges

• Raymond Head Tire Hammers

• John Crawford 5160 Steel