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Home , Ben Lilly, Bladesmith, Blade Show, Jerry Fisk, Knife making

SPRING 2019, Issue 55

® JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY, INC.

Officers Board of Directors In This Issue Editor’s Note Harvey Dean (04) Robert Calvert (07) 4 Chairman 911 Julia Street 5 ABS Calendar 3266 CR 232 Rayville, LA 71269 5 School Calendars Rockdale,TX 76567-4302 318-348-4490 6 Chairman’s Corner 512-446-3111, [email protected] 8 Annual Meeting Schedule [email protected] 9 Auction Descriptions Kevin R. Cashen (11) 10 Mid America Symposium Info Steve Dunn (03) 5615 Tyler Street 11 New England Symposium Flyer Vice Chairman Hubbardston, Michigan 48845-9708 376 Bigger Staff Road 989-981-6780 13 Art of Show Awards Smiths Grove, KY 42171 [email protected] 18 Great Smoky Mountain -in 270-563-9830, 21 Alabama Council [email protected] Mark Zalesky (11) 26 AD Index 4152 Forest Glen Drive Billy Ray Hughes (76) Knoxville, TN 37919 Carolyn Hughes, Editor Secretary & Founder 865-540-4189 305 Phillips Circle [email protected] American Bladesmith is published 3 times a year Wake Village, TX 75501 by the American Bladesmith Society, PO Box 903-838-0134, James Rodebaugh (15) 160, Grand Rapids, OH 43522 and is printed [email protected] P.O. Box 404 by NeTex Printing, 3101 New Boston Rd., Carpenter, WY 82054 Texarkana, TX 75501. The publishers and staff of Bill Wiggins (09) 307-649-2394 American Bladesmith are not responsible for any Treasurer [email protected] mishaps which might occur from use of published 105 Kaolin Lane information. No part of the publication may be Canton, NC 28716 Robert Wilson (18) reproduced without written permission from the 828-226-2551 3659 Battle Road editor. Copyright 2011 ABS. All rights reserved. [email protected] Myersville, MD 21779-8355 301-293-2252 Board of Directors [email protected] On the Covers James M. Phillips (84) Don McIntosh (19) ABS AUCTION P. 0. Box 168 3201 Buchanan Loop Road Front cover: The 2019 Master Williamstown, NJ 08094 Texarkana, TX 75501-8740 Auction Knife, a Musso design with 609-567-0695 903-293-1530 Turkish Twist Damascus, was made [email protected] [email protected] by John Horrigan. Jeffrey Harris (86) Brion Tomberlin (19) Inside Front Cover: Chris Wu calls 214 Glen Cove 825 W. Timberdell Road his International Journeyman donation Chesterfield, MO 63017 Norman, OK 73072-6326 a “hybrid”: A mix of elements from 314-494-0922, [email protected] 405-202-6832 Taiwan and the ABS.

[email protected] Inside Back Cover: Franco’s *James L. Batson, Ph. D. (94) International Master Smith is a Turkish 1316 McClung Ave. Damascus Bowie has an Azaleia Huntsville, AL 35801 Moasaic Damascus pattern. 256-971-6860 Office of the American [email protected] Bladesmith Society, Inc. Joe Keeslar’s TOMB knife is made in his signature Brut de Forge style made Cindy Sheely *Greg Neely (98) from a 19th Century French . P.O. Box 160 5419 Pine Street Grand Rapids, OH 43522 Back Cover: Russell Roosevelt Bellaire, TX 77401 419-832-0400 donated this classic Bowie of 1084 713-664-4864 [email protected] steel with a Desert Ironwood handle [email protected] as the Journeyman Knife of the Year. *Past Chairman 3 Notes from the Editor Carolyn Hughes fter a hiatus from travel for ARTICLES AND DEADLINES AND RATES Aabout a year and a half, BR and ANNOUNCEMENTS I were able to attend the 31st Batson Summer Issue, July 1, 2019 Symposium in Tannehill State Park, To showcase your bladesmithing Winter Issue, November 1, 2019 events, please send us an article and Alabama in early April. Tannehill is Spring Issue, March 15, 2020 pictures. Also, articles of interest to a beautiful area near Birmingham , clients, or collectors, such COLOR ADS PER ISSUE and the Alabama Forge Council does as “how to” articles, approximately a tremendous job of preparing for and FULL PAGE...... $600 1000 to 1200 words in length with HALF PAGE ...... $300 planning events, securing excellent pictures and/or illustrations are THREE CONSECUTIVE ISSUES instructors, and hosting this event. welcome. The ABS pays $100 for any FULL PAGE...... $1500 major article published in the journal Like most of the bladesmithing HALF PAGE...... $750 happenings, this one is very similar and payment is made upon publication BLACK & WHITE ADS PER ISSUE to a family reunion. Many of the of the article. Send your articles and 200 plus attending the Symposium accompanying pictures, 300 or more FULL PAGE ...... $200 were friends we’ve seen for a lot dpi, or announcements of upcoming HALF PAGE ...... $100 hammer-ins, shop visits, etc. to of years at bladesmithing events THIRD PAGE...... $75 Carolyn Hughes, 305 Phillips Circle, around the country. And we met QUARTER PAGE ...... $50 Wake Village, TX 75501 or you may EIGHTH PAGE ...... $25 many more with whom we expect send by email to carolynhughes@ WEB SITE ADS...... $10 to become better acquainted at cableone.net. Pictures should be sent other occasions in future years. as an attachment. THREE CONSECUTIVE ISSUES It surely did feel good to be with FULL PAGE ...... $500 our bladesmith buddies again and WEB SITE, FORUM, ETC. HALF PAGE ...... $250 catch up on all that we’ve missed THIRD PAGE...... $190 For assistance with the ABS website, during the time BR was homebound. QUARTER PAGE ...... $125 please contact Debra Bethke, ABS While storms were predicted, EIGHTH PAGE ...... $65 the weather was surprisingly websmith, at damckee@rocketmail. com. For forum assistance, good during the day. No sudden AD DIMENSIONS please contact the moderators, temperature dip into the 30s, no radio Brion Tomberlin at btomberlin@ EIGHTH PAGE ...... 2 1/4 X 3 5/8 announcement that the tornado was americanbladesmith.com, Lin Rhea, ...... or 3 5/8 X 2 1/4 “headed to Tannehill”, no hail, no [email protected], Karl QUARTER PAGE ...... 4 3/4 X 3 5/8 flood, only one storm occurring after Andersen, [email protected], ...... or 3 5/8 X 4 3/4 everything was finished for the day. Ed Caffrey, caffreyknives@gmail. THIRD PAGE...... 7 1/2 X 3 1/3 We were also looking forward to com, Allen Newberry adminsters both ...... or 3 1/3 X 7 1/2 being in Old Washington, Arkansas the Pinterest and Twitter websites. HALF PAGE ...... 7 1/2 X 4 3/4 His email address is newberry@ for the Piney Woods Hammer-in ...... or 9 5/8 X 3 5/8 americanbladesmith.com. this month, but the dire predictions FULL PAGE ...... 9 5/8 X 7 1/2 of storms, hail, and tonadoes ADVERTISING over that weekend changed our plans. Walkers and canes don’t The deadline for material The American Bladesmith is published fare well on rain-soaked ground. or advertisements to be triannually and accepts advertising included in the SUMMER It was a great disappointment in keeping with the promotion of the 2019 American Bladesmith to miss this “family reunion”. forged . Ads must be submitted to the editor by the deadlines in the must be in the editor’s next column. Ads may be camera hands by July 1, 2019. Carolyn ready or we will create an ad for you. 4 ABS Calendar AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY 2018 BLADESMITHING SCHOOLS June 6 Annual Board Meeting, Cobb W. F. Moran School of Bladesmithing Galleria, Atlanta, GA. Texarkana, Texas June 7-9 . Cobb Galleria, Atlanta, Intro to Bladesmithing.....Sept. 30-Oct. 11.... Neely & Tomberlin GA. Fall Hammer-In...... Oct. 12-13...... Williams, Director. Damascus...... Oct. 13-18...... Dunn June 7-9 Blade University Intro to Bladesmithing.....Oct. 28 -Nov. 8...... Cook & Williams June 8 Annual ABS Knife Auction. Cobb Handles & Guards...... Nov. 11-15...... Dunn Galleria, Room 103, 10:00 A.M., ABS Contact: Mike Williams call 580-420-3051, Atlanta, GA. email: [email protected] July 12-14 New England Hammer-In. New England School of Metalwork, To register, contact: Mrs. Amanda Davis Auburn, ME. Contact Dereck Glaser Texarkana College at 903-832-3015 or email 888-753-7502 or email dglaser@ [email protected]. newenglandschoolofmetalwork.com. Don McIntosh, Coordinator of Bladesmithing Aug. 23-25 Mid-America Hammer-In, Miami [email protected] County Fairgrounds, Troy, OH. Contact Butch Sheely 419-308-3471 New England School of Metalworks or email [email protected]. Auburn, Maine Oct. 12-13 Fall Piney Woods Hammer-In. NE Hammer-In...... July 13-15...... Glaser Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing, Intro to Bladesmithing....Aug. 19-30...... Derringer&Culver Texarkana College, Texarkana, Intro to Bladesmithing ...Nov. 4-15...... Tomberlin Texas. Contact Mike Williams at 580-420-3051 or email hforge@ ABS Contact: Kevin Cashen at [email protected] pine-net.com. Contact: Dereck Glaser at 207/777-3375 email: [email protected] Register at www.newenglandschoolofmetalwork.com Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing Waynesboro, Virginia Haywood College Intro to Bladesmithing....June 17-28...... McGhee Clyde, For information, phone 434-960-918 or Handles & Guards...... June 10-14...... Rodebaugh Email [email protected] Intro to Bladesmithing....Oct. 7-18...... Crowell Website: VAblacksmithing.org For questions about classes, contact Ken Hall at 826-627- 2135 or email: [email protected] Russell Hawkins, Partner June Hawkins, Partner To register, contact Clara Schulte, Coordinator of Creative HAWKINS KNIFE Arts at 828-565-4240 MAKING SUPPLIES Southern Ohio Forge & Troy, Ohio Intro to Bladesmithing....Aug. 20-31...... TBA 110 Buckeye Rd. call or email Joel Worley, 937-638-9518, Fayetteville, GA 30214 Phone 770-964-1023 [email protected] as early as possible. www.hawkinsknifemakingsupplies.com

5 Chairman’s Corner Harvey Dean

s the Blade Show is fast approaching so is the end of my term as chairman Aof the American Bladesmith Society. I want to thank the members of the ABS for making this a great organization. I hope I accomplished a few things favorable for all the membership as I served as your chairman. At our board meeting on June 6th Steve Dunn will take over the position of chairman. I believe the ABS will be in good hands. I would also like to welcome the two new members of the ABS Board – Don McIntosh and Brion Tomerlin. There are a lot of things happening for ABS members in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Blade Show and International Cutlery Fair June 7 – 9. Look for the ABS table at the front of the American Bladesmith Society section. The Annual ABS Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, June 6th, at 6 pm in room 103 of the Cobb Galleria Centre. the art of the forged blade. I encourage the membership to invite their friends and clients to come to the auction. Several ABS opportunities are available on Friday, June 7th. The Master Smith and Journeyman Smith Knives to be auctioned this year judging will take place in the Cobb Galleria Centre. are donated by the following members: Master Smith candidates will be in room 104 and • ABS Master Smith Knife – John Horrigan Journeyman Smith candidates in room 103. Candidates • ABS International Master Smith Knife – should be in the judging room by 7:30 am. Remember Dionatam Franco De Souza to bring signed paper work, bent test blade, and the five • ABS Journeymansmith Knife – Russell finished knives you would like to present for judging. Roosevelt Judging itself will begin at 8 am, but candidates should • ABS International Journeymansmith Knife arrive at the judging room before 7:30 am. At 10 am – Chris Wu judging for the Antique Award will take • The Order of the Mystic Brotherhood Knife place in room #103 in the Cobb Galleria. This award is – Joe Keeslar open to both Master and Journeyman Smiths. Plan to Thank you to each of the makers who so generously attend the Annual American Bladesmith Society Award are donating knives. I want to extend a special Ceremony at 7pm Friday night in room #103 in the Cobb thank you to Jim Cooper for photographing the ABS Galleria. This is an exciting time to celebrate our new Auction Knives and to Steve Dunn for coordinating Journeyman and Master Smiths who will be receiving and overseeing this event. Pictures and more their ratings and the Antique Bowie Knife Award winner. information about these knives can be found on There will be other awards presented during this time also. our website, http://www.americanbladesmith.com/. The 2019 ABS Knife Auction will be held on On the home-page find the link to “2019 ABS Saturday, June 8th, at 10 am in the Cobb Galleria room Knife Auction” at the bottom right of the screen. #103. This auction is an important fundraiser for our The ICCE Show was held March 28-29, 2019 in membership. Each year some of the top bladesmiths the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas. donate an exciting set of knives for the auction to preserve I thought Jerry Moen did a great job of coordinating the 6 show. I think everyone enjoyed the venue and from what I could see most people had a good show. The ABS judged one Mastersmith during the show. My congratulations to Shayne Carter on becoming our newest Mastersmith. He is first to get his rating at Fort Worth and the first to receive the Dr. Carl Nelson Award at an ICCE. The ABS did well in the awards. The following ABS members won awards. • Best Fixed Blade – Josh Fisher • Best – J. W. Randall • Best Hunter – J. W. Randall • Best Damascus – Larry Cox • Best Bowie – Tommy Gann • Best Folder - Tommy Overeynder Congratulations to these bladesmiths! If you need information about the show for next year contact Jerry Moen - [email protected].

I look forward to seeing you in Atlanta. Thank Shayne Carter receives his Master Smith certificate from you again for your work in continuing to preserve the President Dean, MS, at the ICCE in Ft. Worth. art of the forged blade. Jenny Crowell Photos ~Harvey Dean

Dr. Carl Nelson Award Winner Shayne Carter

A SURE DEFENSE The Bowie Knife In America by William F. Worthen and Mark Zalesky

$70 plus sales tax, shipping, and handling

Knife World Books PO Box 3395, Knoxville, TN 37927 1-800-828-7751 www.knifeworld.com Josh Fisher displays his award winning fixed blade knife and the trophy at the ICCE Show. 7 ABS ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY he American Bladesmith Society will ABS SCHEDULE convene in Atlanta, Georgia, June 6-9 for Tits 34th annual board meeting in conjunction BOARD MEETING with Blade Magazine’s Cutlery Fair. Before moving to Thursday, June 6, the ABS Board will convene for Atlanta in 1988, the meeting was held in conjuction with their semi-annual board meeting at 6:00 P.M. in Room the show in Tulsa, and Knoxville, Tennessee. 103 of the Cobb Galleria Center. Prior to the show events beginning on Friday, the ABS KNIFE JUDGING Board will meet Thursday, June 6, at 6:00 P.M. at Cobb Judging for the Master Smith and Journeyman Galleria, Room l03. Smith ratings will begin at 8:00 AM Friday, June 7. The BLADE SHOW SCHEDULE Journeyman knives will be judged in Room 103 of the Cobb Galleria Center and the Masters will be judged in Thursday, June 6 Room 104. Look for signs identifying the rooms. Don’t be late! Doors are locked promptly at 8:00 AM. 4:00 PM-6:00 PM- “Will Call” ticket pick up After the completion of the Journeyman and Masters’ Friday, June 7 stamp judging, knives submitted for the W. F. Moran, 8:30 AM-6:15 PM- BLADE University classes Jr. competition and for the Antique Knife collectors Association Awards will be judged in Room 104 at *Only BLADE U ticket holders can pick up their 10:00 A.M. registration starting at 8:00 am 10:00 AM – Registration opens AWARDS CEREMONY On Friday evening, June 7, at 7:15 PM in Room 103, 12:00 PM – EARLY BIRD ENTRY ONLY the American Bladesmith Society will host an awards 1:00 PM -- CAP Pass Holders ONLY ceremony to honor those who have received their master 2:00 PM – Show opens to the public and Journeyman stamps earlier in the day, the makers 7:00 PM -- Show closes Day One of the award winning knives, and those who have gone above and beyond their duties and responsibilities to Saturday, June 8 promote knifemaking and to further the purpose of the ABS. The makers of the “Knives of the Year” will also 8:00 AM – Registration opens be honored. Come and support the ABS members whose 8:30 AM-4:45PM- BLADE University classes “lagniappe”, the little bit extra they gave to aid in the 9:00 AM – Show opens to the public growth and enhancement of the ABS and its programs, resulted in their being selected for an award. 6:00 PM – Show closes Day Two BLADE UNIVERSITY Sunday, June 9 While not an ABS function, some ABS Smiths 8:00 AM – Registration opens will be teaching in a portion of the classes offered 9:00 AM – Show opens to the public by Blade Magazine beginning on Thursday, June 2:00 PM – Show closes Day Three – 6, and continuing throughout the exposition. The schedule for some of the classes taught by SHOW ENDS our ABS members are listed on the next page. 8 Knife of the Year. The knife has stainless spacers and FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019 a Damascus frerrule with 18k gold inlay. The handle 2:45-3:45 PM-- “Hamons on Hatchets”, Room 107, handle is made of stabilized imbula burl. Tim Potier, MS. SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2019 11:00 A.M.-12:00 PM -- “Michael Price Guards on Forged Full-Tangs”, Room 104, Jordan LaMothe, JS. 2019 ABS Journeyman Smith Knife of the Year 2:15 -3:15 PM -- “Fired Up for Forged in Fire”, Maker: Russell Roosevelt, Journeyman Smith Room 109, Ray Kirk, MS. ourneyman Smith Russell Roosevelt opted to 2:45-3:45 PM -- “How to Laser Engrave”, Room Jmake a classic Bowie, with an 11” blade forged 104, Steve Schwartzer, MS. from 1084 steel and a 5” handle made of Desert Ironwood. 2019 Auction Knives The guard has been constructed from 416 stainless, the of the Year same material as the ach year the ABS provides the opportunity file-worked spacers. for bladesmiths to submit “Knives of the Additional spacers are Year” for its annual auction, which will be made of bronze silicon.These materials are artfully E blended to create the Bowie. held Saturday, June 8 at 10:00 A.M. in Room 103. This year, we have five beautiful knives generously 2019 ABS International Journeyman Smith Knife donated from the Master Smith categories, the of the Year Journeyman Smith categories, and the TOMB knife Maker: Chris Wu, Journeyman Smith, Taiwan category. Let us take a look at the knives donated for the auction. hris Wu volunteered to make the International CJourneyman Smith Knife of the Year for 2019 ABS Master Smith Knife of the Year the 2019 auction. Chris wrote: “The design of this Maker: John Horrigan, Master Smith knife is inspired by ohn chose to make a Musso Bowie design for his the knife used by the Taiwanese aboriginal JMaster Smith Knife of the Year. It is made Atayal. We can call of a 25 layer, 6-bar it 'the Taiwanese Turkish twist Damascus Knife' (Atayal Taiwan with a 12 ¾ inch blade Knife). and 18 ½ overall length. "In design, I kept The handle is made the original Atayal of fossilized walrus Taiwan Knife blade curve, but with the false edge, and the knife has 416 handle and guard, I added the elements of the ABS. You fittings with 24K gold leaves and micro file-worked can say it is a hybrid knife, a mixed design from Taiwan titanium layers. and the ABS. The original meaning of the Atayal tribe is 'Real 2019 ABS International Master Knife of the Year Man' or 'Brave Man'. When an Atayal boy was born, Maker: Dionatam Franco de Souza the elder in the tribe gave him a knife as a blessing. The ranco chose a Turkish Damascus.with an Azaleia mother then took him outside the house and prayed in FMoasaic Damascus pattern for his International the direction of the road, hoping that he would 9 become a brave hunter. From the age of 12, the man must “Ben was a superb rifle and pistol shot; he could always carry a knife when he goes out. The knife is like 'run like a deer, jump like a gazelle.' In many of his part of his body. Whether hunting or fighting, he needs hunts he would dispatch the animals with a knife which to have a knife at any time. The Taiwanese Knife can be he had made himself. Stories depict him traveling said to be the ‘Life of the Atayal Warriors’.” across the United States stopping occasionally at local The blade on this knife is 12 inches long, two inches blacksmithing shops to make a knife from an old rasp/ wide and the total length is 16 inches. The blade is made file. of 1084 steel, and the guard is 420 . “From time to time even today you can find a Ben Lilly knife for sale on the internet. I have seen two 2019 TOMB Knife of the Year offerings within the last year. These knives are extremely Maker: Joe Keeslar Master Smith rough and unfinished in appearance, but they ARE still oe Keeslar named his knife “Ben Lilly Bear Killer knives. JII”. Here is Joe’s “Several books have been authored about Ben Lilly. description of the knife I have included one of these to accompany the knife, so and explanation of that the purchaser today will be able to learn about Ben the name: “I had the Lilly and read about his exploits. honor of making the 2019 TOMB Knife of “About six years ago my Ben Lilly Bear Killer I the Year. The knife I was sold at this ABS Auction. Today I respectfully offer chose to make is to Ben Lilly II, a knife that in no way is meant to resemble honor a man who is a Ben Lilly style or design but in the spirit of Ben Lilly known as the 'last of and in tribute to him. A detailed description follows:”. the Mountain Men', Benjamin Lily. In case you are Joe chose his signature style, Brut de Forge, for this not familiar with this name, let me enlighten you about project, which is forged from a 19th Century French who he was. Ben was born in in 1858, rasp cut file, selectively heat treated. The blade is 10 raised primarily by his mother but also taught some inches long and the knife’s overall length is 15 inches. blacksmithing skills by his father. The handle is made of presentation grade Curly Maple, “At thirteen years old while returning on horseback with bolsters made of #416 stainless steel. There are late at night with his mother from visiting a distant approximately three feet of .008x.055 sterling silver neighbor they were attacked by, in Ben’s words, 'a wire in S and C designs. A vine pattern is engraved on panther', probably a or mountain lion. The the spline of the blade and a small amount of decorative mother and their horse were injured in the attack but not file work and engraving are on the pommel. Ben. Upon returning to their cabin he aided his mother, The sheath accompanying the knife is made of nine then early the next morning he took the family flintlock ounce vegetable tanned leather with a basketweave rifle, a hunting bag and powder horn off of the wall and tooled pattern and silver concho. It is selectively dyed disappeared into the forest. He returned later that day with airbrush highlights and has an oil finish. with the hide of the 'panther'. It is important to know this story to understand that this was the beginning of a personal lifetime commitment by Ben Lilly to hunt and kill 'panthers' as well as black bears and grizzly bears. “In his later life Ben Lilly was considered by many to be the greatest tracker, houndsman and hunter of wild animals of his time (1858 – 1938). In fact he was several times hired as tracker and houndsman in the Southwest for Teddy Roosevelt. He also took many wild animal hides, skulls and bones for study by the Smithsonian Institute. Many of his trophies are still on exhibit there today. 10

Greg Neely

Stephen Fowler

And as always, the grand finale was the Battle of the Bladesmith. This year’s competitors were Charlie Ellis, Stephen Fowler, Barry Clodfelter, and Matthew Shirey. Each were given an 8-inch section of 1075 steel, handle material, and grinding belts. For three grueling, intense hours, each smith’s tribulations and techniques were on public display. After the metal dust settled, the audience judged the results of the four brave smiths. Stephen Fowler Scott McGhee took first place…for a second time in a row! Congratulations, Steve! Folks, don’t miss the 2020 Hammer-In next year. Regardless of your blade-smithing skill set, mark your calendar for the last weekend in March and join us for an educational and entertaining weekend you won’t forget!

Joe Keeslar

19 Pictured on this page are three of the instructors at the Great Smoky Mountain Hammer-In Top Picture: Burt Foster Bottom Left: Josh Lyle Bottom Left: Tommy McNabb

20 ‘TWAS SWEET IN ALABAMA By B. R. Hughes Photos by B. R. Hughes

Haley DesRosiers is shown in her Class. hen writing about the Batson To wrap up all the weather business, the only Bladesmithing Symposium and Knife unpleasant weather hit Tannehill State Park, the site WShow, which has been sponsored by of the Symposium, a few minutes after the final event the Alabama Forge Council for 31 years, it is virtually Saturday evening, and Sunday morning dawned sunny impossible NOT to think of the weather. There have and bright! been rains, honest-to-goodness tornadoes, sub-freezing The Symposium opened Thursday afternoon temperatures, tropical monsoons, and blazing hot days with registration, which was followed by a barbecue and nights that sent the boys and girls scurrying for dinner at the Convention Center, and the classes and shorts and T-shirts. demonstrations kicked off Friday morning at 8:00 AM. Thus, when the weather prophets forecast These included Damascus Steel, Rendezvous Knives, dangerous thunderstorms and possibly hail for the 2019 Folders, Hands-On , Handles & edition of the Batson Symposium April 4-7, no one so Guards, Engraving, Antique Bowie Knives, Silver Wire much as blinked an eye, and it spoke volumes of the Inlay, Leather Sheaths, ABS Judging Standards, Blade courage, and, dare I say, the audacity of the fans of the Grinding, Old time Knifemaking, Decorative Filework, forged blade when I tell you that a record-breaking 216 and Damascus Etchings. Man! Talk about something attendees, plus the event workers, instructors, wives for everyone! and husbands, children, friends, and dogs, showed up, raincoats and snow parkas in hand! 21 editor helped Col. Tim with the auction, as did Brittany Gambee, who carried the items around the area to give bidders a better look at them. The proceeds of the auction are used to help defray expenses incurred by the Alabama Forge Council in hosting the event. I want to mention that Glynn is very accomplished at making sure things go as planned. A tip of the Stetson, Mr. Holmes!

Jerry Van Eizenga teaching folders. Instructors included Adam DesRosiers, Joe Seabolt, Neil Faulkenberry, Haley DesRosiers, Scott McGhee, Keith Johnson, Billy Bates, Bill Wiggins, Butch Sheely, Jerry Van Eizenga, Joe Keeslar, B. R. Hughes, and Glynn Holmes.

Adam DesRosiers is shown in his Damascus presentation. The Batson Symposium is held in a beautiful setting in the foothills of the Appalachians in Central Alabama, and if you’ve never attended one of these hammer-ins, you’re cheating yourself of a memorable weekend. Generally, it’s held the first or second week of April. Look in the “Shows Listing” in either “KNIFE” or “Blade Magazine” around the January issue and check the dates. You won’t be sorry. PS: Pack a warm jacket and a raincoat!

Billy Bates Engraving Friday evening, a special Jambalaya meal, cooked by Glynn Holmes, was served and was followed by Strawberry Shortcake, made by “the kitchen crew”, which was made up of several women who were attendees, or were there with an attendee. After the dinner, Dr. James Batson chaired a “Round Table” and asked the instructors to explain a little about how they became involved with knives. A knife show was held Saturday after lunch and the makers displayed their knives for sale. After the knife show was over, items donated by those attending the event were auctioned with Colonel Tim Ryan, Auctioneer. Mark Zalesky, KNIFE Magazine Joe Keeslar in his silver wire inlay demonstration

22 Top Left: Mark Zalesky modeling antlers as he describes the item for bidders. John is not sure what to think about his dad. Top Right: Colonel Tim Ryan, auctioneer. Bottom Left: Scott McGhee teaching a class on Handles and Guards. Center Right: “Blade Magazine” Editor Steve Shackleford and ABS Founder B. R. Hughes. Bottom Right: Brittany Gambee is shown walking around the spectator area to give bidders a closer look at the auction items.

23 RIVERSIDE MACHINE ABS MERCHANDISE – Uncle Al – Since 1983 Merchandise owned by Hat / Khaki/Denim $15.00 Alton & Sheila Lawrence Hat / Blue Mesh ...... $15.00 Hat / Black Mesh ABS Logo ...... $15.00 ABS Journeyman Bladesmith. Hat / Black USA Made ...... $15.00 Pin - ABS Color Logo ...... $ 3.00 He has a large assortment of knifemaking Long Sleeve Shirts - Denim, Navy and Khaki ...... $40.00 supplies, tools, jigs ABS Logo T-Shirt Black or Blue & S, M, L and XL ...... $18.00 HANDMADE KNIVES ABS Logo T-Shirt Black or Blue Size XXL and Larger ...... $21.00 see his ONLINE CATALOG at ABS BOOKS www.riversidemachine.net Books [email protected] “How To Build A Hydraulic Press” Knife Maker by Dr. James Batson ...... $30.00 “Damascus & ” Serving the Maker & Collector by William F. “Bill” Moran . . . . . $15.00 ITEMS IN STOCK “Handles and Guards” - Grinders - Knife Fixtures by Joe Keeslar $30.00 - Knife Maintenance - Knife Making Supplies “Forging and Finishing the Brut De Forge Knife” - Forging Equipment - Knife Sharpener by Joe Keeslar $45.00 - - Hydraulic Presses “Making Leather Sheaths” - Solders - Handmade Knives by Joe Keeslar $55.00 - Knife Making Videos - Knife Making Books “Introduction to Bladesmithing” by Jay Hendrickson $10.00 Al’s Hydraulic Forging Press “The Basic Scagel Slip Joint Folder” Al makes & sells 3 differentGas by Jerry Van Eizenga $10.00 Flournoy Fancy Fluter Filing Fixtures From The Past $10.00 Knife Filing Jigs Add $7.00 shipping and handling to all orders. Much More To order contact: Cindy Sheely Fax: 870/642/4023 P.O. Box 160 Work: 870/642/7643 Home: 870/642/5137 Grand Rapids, OH 43522 [email protected] 201 W. Stillwell, De Queen, AR 71832

24 ABS DVDS RUSS ANDREWS ON HAND FINISH...... $25.00 ROB HUDSON BLADE FORGING JIM BATSON - DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS TO SHAPE...... $25.00 OF THE Bowie KNIFE AFC...... $25.00 DVD-JOHNSON AFC, BELTS, WHEELS JIM BATSON ON Bowie HANDLES & GRINDING...... $25.00 AND GUARD...... $25.00 JOE KEESLAR LEATHER SHEATHS...... $25.00 KEVIN CASHEN - GRINDING...... $25.00 HANK KNICKMEYER - DAMASCUS KEVIN CASHEN ...... $25.00 (3 DVD SET)...... $60.00 KEVIN CASHEN QUILLION ...... $25.00 JASON KNIGHT 3 SET ON JR COOK ON TRANSITIONAL DAMASCUS...... $60.00 DAMASCUS...... $25.00 BILL MORAN ON “DAMASCUS”...... $60.00 JIM CROWELL - BLADE FORGING...... $25.00 BILL MORAN HANDLES, SHEATHS JIM CROWELL BLADE GRINDING...... $25.00 AND GUARDS...... 65.00 CHRISTOPH DERINGER INTEGRAL BLADE BILL MORAN MAKING A KNIFE...... $60.00 FORGING SESSIONS 1 & 2, 2 SET...... $45.00 GREG NEELY FINISHING DAMASCUS...... $25.00 DAN FARR ON HAND FINISHING AND GREG NEELY ON FIT AND FINISH OF HANDLE DESIGN...... $25.00 HANDLES AND GUARDS...... $25.00 BLADE FORGING...... $25.00 DAN PETERSEN KNIFE DESIGN CONCEPTS...... $25.00 DON FOGG DAMASCUS 3 SET...... $60.00 J.W. RANDALL DAMASCUS STEEL 3 SET...... $60.00 BURT FOSTER KNIFE PHOTOGRAPHY...... $25.00 BUTCH SHEELY ON TOMAHAWKS...... $25.00 BERT GASTON & GREG NEELY ON ABS Add $7.00 shipping and handling to all orders KNIFE JUDGING...... $25.00 TIM HANCOCK BLADE GRINDING...... $25.00 To order, contact: Cindy Sheely TIM HANCOCK HANDLES & GUARDS...... $25.00 P.O. Box 160 E. JAY HENDRICKSON SILVER Grand Rapids, OH 43522 WIRE INLAY...... $25.00 [email protected]

844 W Sunset Drive Springfield, MO 65802 text or call: (417) 247-6652 website: www.calebroyer.com

25 Ad Index A Sure Defense...... 7 ABS DVDs...... 25 ABS Merchandise & Books...... 24 Batson’s Books...... 17 Hawkins Supplies...... 5 Jantz Supplies...... 12 Kirk, Ray...... 26 Knife Magazine...... 26 Pieh Tool Company...... 17 Riverside Machine, Uncle Al...... 24 Royer, Caleb...... 25 Sharp by Coop...... 26 Shelton Pacific Wood...... 26 Ward, Chuck...... 26 Raker Knives & Steel Ray Kirk ABS-MS 501-776-5254 P.O. Box 2272 • Benton, AR 72018-2272

www.rakerknives.com 918-207-8076 [email protected] Talequah, OK

SharpByCoop.com 9 Mathew Court Norwalk, CT 06851 203-838-8939 Jim Cooper Photographer Detail-rich digital knife images for the portfolio or web.

[email protected]

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