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SUMMER 2019 Issue 56

® 2019 KEESLAR AWARD Jackson Rumble, JS SUMMER 2019, Issue 56

® JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY, INC.

Officers Board of Directors In This Issue Steve Dunn (03) Robert Calvert (07) 2 Information & Editor’s Note Chairman 911 Julia Street 3 ABS Calendar 376 Bigger Staff Road Rayville, LA 71269 3 School Calendars Smiths Grove, KY 42171 318-348-4490 270-563-9830, [email protected] 4 Chairman’s Corner [email protected] 5 Condolences *Harvey Dean (04) 6 The Moran School News 3266 CR 232 Kevin R. Cashen (11) Rockdale,TX 76567-4302 8 The ABS at Blade Vice Chairman 512/446-3111, 5615 Tyler Street 18 Spring Piney Woods [email protected] Hubbardston, Michigan 48845-9708 20 New England Symposium 989-981-6780 28 AD Index [email protected] Mark Zalesky (11) 4152 Forest Glen Drive Knoxville, TN 37919 Carolyn Hughes, Editor Billy Ray Hughes (76) 865-540-4189 Secretary & Founder [email protected] American Bladesmith is published 3 times 305 Phillips Circle a year by the American Bladesmith Society, Wake Village, TX 75501 James Rodebaugh (15) PO Box 160, Grand Rapids, OH 43522 and 903-838-0134, P.O. Box 404 [email protected] is printed by NeTex Printing, 3101 New Carpenter, WY 82054 Boston Rd., Texarkana, TX 75501. The 307-649-2394 publishers and staff of American Bladesmith Bill Wiggins (09) [email protected] Treasurer are not responsible for any mishaps which might occur from use of published 105 Kaolin Lane Robert Wilson (18) Canton, NC 28716 3659 Bittle Road information. No part of the publication may 828-226-2551 Myersville, MD 21779-8355 be reproduced without written permission [email protected] 301-293-2252 from the editor. Copyright 2011 ABS. All rwilson@[email protected] rights reserved. Board of Directors Don McIntosh (19) James M. Phillips (84) On the Covers 3201 Buchanan Loop Road P. 0. Box 168 Texarkana, TX 75501-8740 Front Cover: Best of Show and the Williamstown, NJ 08094 903-293-1530 Best Fixed Blade by Harvey 609-567-0695 [email protected] Dean, MS [email protected] : The Keeslar Brion Tomberlin (19) Inside Front Cover Jeffrey Harris (86) 825 W Timberdell Road Award, given for the best knife of those 214 Glen Cove Norman, OK 73072-6326 submitted for the journeyman Chesterfield, MO 63017 405-202-6832 rating, was given to Jackson Rumble. 314-494-0922, [email protected] [email protected] Inside Back Cover: Journeyman *James L. Batson, Ph. D. (94) *Past President Smith Mace Vitale’s knife was chosen 1316 McClung Ave. for the JS Antique Award, Huntsville, AL 35801 chosen by members of the Antique 256-971-6860 Office of the American Bowie Knife Association. [email protected] Bladesmith Society Back Cover: Butch Sheely’s knife was *Greg Neely (98) Cindy Sheely chosen as the Moran Award winner, 5419 Pine Street P.O. Box 160 the knife that best represented the Bellaire, TX 77401 Grand Rapids, OH 43522 Moran style of those submitted for. 713-664-4864 [email protected] the honor [email protected] 419-832-0400 Photos by SharpbyCoop SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 1 Contact and Advertising Information

CONTACT INFORMATION WEB SITE, FORUM, ETC. DEADLINES AND RATES

For assistance with the ABS website, Winter Issue, November 1, 2019 JOURNAL EDITOR please contact Debra Bethke, ABS Carolyn Hughes Spring Issue, March 15, 2020 305 Phillips Circle websmith, at damckee@rocketmail. Summer Issue, July 1, 2020 Wake Village, TX 75501 com For forum assistance, [email protected] please contact the moderators, 903-277-2129 Brion Tomberlin at btomberlin@ COLOR ADS PER ISSUE americanbladesmith.com, Lin Rhea, FULL PAGE...... $600 WEBMASTER Debra Mckee-Bethke [email protected], Karl HALF PAGE ...... $300 616/499-5997 Andersen, [email protected], THREE CONSECUTIVE ISSUES [email protected] Ed Caffrey, caffreyknives@gmail. FULL PAGE...... $1500 com, Allen Newberry adminsters both HALF PAGE...... $750 NOTES FROM the Pinterest and Twitter websites. BLACK & WHITE ADS PER ISSUE His email address is newberry@ FULL PAGE ...... $200 THE EDITOR americanbladesmith.com. HALF PAGE ...... $100 THIRD PAGE...... $75 CHANGE: to make or become QUARTER PAGE ...... $50 different. Change is not always seen ARTICLES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS EIGHTH PAGE ...... $25 as positive and can cause anxiety. The WEB SITE ADS...... $10 recent action to create the School in Washington brought about a To showcase your bladesmithing events, please send us an article and THREE CONSECUTIVE ISSUES change of venue for the Moran School pictures. Also, articles of interest to FULL PAGE ...... $500 of Bladesmithing and the Piney Woods , clients, or collectors, such HALF PAGE ...... $250 -Ins. This could not have been as “how to” articles, approximately THIRD PAGE...... $190 foreseen, although it will be different. 1000 to 1200 words in length with QUARTER PAGE ...... $125 EIGHTH PAGE ...... $65 Any anxiousness was short lived, pictures and/or illustrations are welcome. The ABS pays $100 for any AD DIMENSIONS though, due to Texarkana College major article published in the journal EIGHTH PAGE ...... 2 1/4 X 3 5/8 President, Dr. Jason Smith’s, quick and payment is made upon publication ...... or.3 5/8 X 2 1/4 decision and actions between learning of the article. Send your articles and QUARTER PAGE ...... 4 3/4 X 3 5/8 accompanying pictures, 300 or more that the lease would not be renewed ...... or.3 5/8 X 4 3/4 dpi, or announcements of upcoming and the beginning of work to renovate THIRD PAGE...... 7 1/2 X 3 1/3 hammer-ins, shop visits, etc. to a building on campus. Don McIntosh ...... or.3 1/3 X 7 1/2 Carolyn Hughes, 305 Phillips Circle, HALF PAGE ...... 7 1/2 X 4 3/4 immediately began moving equipment Wake Village, TX 75501 or you may ...... or.9 5/8 X 3 5/8 to the campus. As this was going on. send by email to carolynhughes@ FULL PAGE ...... 9 5/8 X 7 1/2 scheduled classes continued in Wash- cableone.net. Pictures should be sent ington until the lease expired July 1, as an attachment. and normal activities continued at TC. It was a tremendous undertaking and I, for one, am grateful to Dr. Smith ADVERTISING The deadline for material and the TC Board that the Bill Moran or advertisements to be The American Bladesmith is published School will continue to teach the art included in the WINTER triannually and accepts advertising he loved, just as he dreamed of it in 2019 American Bladesmith in keeping with the promotion of the must be in the editor’s the early 1980s. forged blade. Ads must be submitted They could have said, “Too bad”. to the editor by the deadlines in the hands by November 1, That would have been a change that next column. Ads may be camera 2019. caused a great deal of despair. ready or we will create an ad for you.

2 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. ABS Calendar 2019 AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY Aug. 23-25 Mid-America Hammer-In, Miami BLADESMITHING SCHOOLS County Fairgrounds, Troy, OH. Contact Butch Sheely 419-308-3471 W. F. Moran School of Bladesmithing or email [email protected]. Texarkana College Oct. 12-13 Fall Piney Woods Hammer- 2300 N. Robison Road In. Bill Moran School of Texarkana, Texas Bladesmithing, Texarkana College, Texarkana, Texas. Contact Mike Williams at 580-420-3051 or email Fall 2019 Schedule [email protected]. Intro to Bladesmithing...... Sept. 30-Oct. 11...... Greg Neely & Brion Tomberlin Fall Hammer-In...... Oct. 12-13...... Williams, Director. 2020 Damascus...... Oct. 14-18...... Dunn Apr. 3-4 ICCE Show (ABS endorsed). Intro to Bladesmithing...... Oct. 28 -Nov. 8..... Cook & Williams Stockyard Station FT. Worth, TX Handles & Guards...... Nov. 11-15...... Dunn in the Stampede Room. 140 E Exchange Ave. Fort Worth TX. Hyatt Place Hotel. 132 E. Exchange 2020 Spring Schedule Intro to Bladesmithing...... Jan. 16-17 Ave. Fort Worth, TX. Contact Jerry [email protected]. Intro to Bladesmithing...... Feb. 17-28 Damascus...... Mar. 2-7 June 5-7 . Cobb Galleria, Handles & Guards...... March 9-13 Atlanta, GA. 2 Galleria Parkway, Intro to Bladesmithing...... April 13-24 Atlanta, GA. Renaissance Waverly, Spring 2020 Hammer-In...... April 18-19 2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA. Lab Class...... June 25-27 ABS Contact: Mike Williams call 580-420-3051, Haywood College email: [email protected] To register, contact: Mrs. Amanda Davis Clyde, North Carolina Texarkana College at 903-832-3015 or email Intro to Bladesmithing....Oct. 7-18...... Crowell [email protected]. For questions about classes, contact Ken Hall at 826- Don McIntosh, Coordinator of Bladesmithing 627-2135 or email: [email protected] [email protected] To register, contact Clara Schulte, Coordinator of Creative Arts at 828-565-4240 New England School of Metalworks Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing Auburn, Maine Waynesboro, Virginia Intro to Bladesmithing ... Nov. 4-15...... Tomberlin 2020 Schedule ABS Contact: Kevin Cashen at [email protected] Intro to Bladesmithing....Jan. 6-17...... McGhee Contact: Dereck Glaser at 207/777-3375 For information, phone 434-960-918 or email: [email protected] Email [email protected] Register at www.newenglandschoolofmetalwork.com Website: VAblacksmithing.org thing.org

SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 3 Chairman’s Corner Steve Dunn

lade show is Best of the Rest, always a special Ron Newton Btime of the year Best Utility Hunter, for me. Where we all Ben Breda get to visit with friends Best , we don’t get to see but Vince Evans once a year, and to meet new ones. This year was Congratulations to especially exciting for each of you. me as I am celebrating Every year the 25 years as an ABS ABS gives out a few master Smith and I awards to its members also became the new for their hard work and president of the ABS. I dedication. These folks would like to thank our work very hard to make membership for making things happen, and to the ABS what it is today. promote the forged This year we had blade. one new mastersmith, This year’s and 16 journeymen. I Hastings Awards would like to congratulate went to Kevin Cashen each of you for your hard and Mike Williams. work and dedication. W. W. Scagel Award, MS Zack Jonas Don McIntosh JS Mitch Cargile Best In Show W. F. “Bill” Moran Jr. JS Charles Carpenter Harvey Dean Award, Butch Sheely JS John Cenotto Best Art Knife, Joe Keeslar Award, JS Justin Chenault Veronique Laurent Jackson Rumble, JS JS Michael Clark,Jr. Best Bowie, JS Rudy Dean JS Francesco Muci Best Margaret Moran Slipper Award, Cindy Sheely JS Steve Myers Doberman , Gabriel JS Matthew Roberts Mabry Antique Bowie Award, Tommy Gann MS, JS Jackson Rumble Best Fixed Blade JS JJ Simon Harvey Dean and Mace Vitale JS JS Stuart Smith Best Damascus, Distinguished Service Franco CustomKnives JS Kelly Vermeer-Vella Awards, JR Cook, Karl Andersen, Deborah Dean, and JS Stephen Williamson Best Collaboration, David Lisch & Andrew Meers Carolyn Hughes JS Nicolas Darius Best Handle Design, Special Service Award, JS Jason Weightman Ben Breda Harvey Dean, ABS members did well Best Fighter, again this year for winning Chairman’s Awards were Brian Sellers awards at Blade. 4 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. given to Alex Whetsell, Bill Organization, is growing daily, MEMBER KNIFE Ruple, and Jim Crowell by Past as our membership is strong. President Harvey Dean. SALES I hope everyone has a The ABS had a fine line up great and productive summer. ON ABS WEBSITE for auction this year. And as we just celebrated ecently, the American The money we receive from Independence day, I would like Bladesmith Society these knives, that are donations to thank all the men and women began providing by our members, is used to buy R in uniform that keep us safe, an addition to the website on new equipment and to maintain and allow us to do what we love. which members may list their our schools: Master knife, knives for sale. The following John Horrigan; International Happy . is quoted from the site: Master Knife, Dionatam Steve Franco De Souza; JS Knife; “The ABS will not endorse Russell Roosevelt; Interational or guarantee any of the knives Journeyman Knife, Chris Wu; listed and will not receive Tomb Knife, Joe Keeslar; and any profit made on the knives MS Folder, Daniel Warren. sold. There is no charge for a member-in-good-standing A big thank you to CONDOLENCES to list their knives for sale. SharpbyCoop for his wonderful Timothy John photography. Hancock There is a link at the bottom of the listing, next to Contact I’m sure many of you 1954-2019 Seller: that will direct the buyer know by now that the ABS to the seller’s profile page for school, Bill Moran School of We extend our condolences contact information, so be sure Bladesmithing, is moving to to Tim’s wife, Tammy, and to update your profile. The ABS Texarkana College. Our lease family. He passed away on will not be involved in the sale. ran out in Old Washington, so July 11, 2019, after a battle with After 30 days, all listings will be this is the reason for the move. Parkinson’s disease. Tim was removed. If a member wishes I personally haven’t been born in Fort Collins, CO. and to list his/her knife again, they to our new facilities yet, but later moved to Scottsdale, AZ. may do so. A picture of knives understand it is a lot bigger, He worked as a nuclear power sold will be placed on a separate and lots of new equipment plant supervisor. page so interested parties can see will be there. Also Dr. Jason examples of the maker’s work. Smith, president of Texarkana Tim began making knives Members must log in on College and his staff along with while living in Bay City, the ABS website and there you the ABS are offering an online Texas and earned his Master will find a link, Add New Knife course to Bladesmithing. This Stamp in 1994. Tim was the to Collector’s Corner, which will save a new smith a whole subject of “Tim Hancock: opens the form that must be lot of time in the learning curve. The Western Bladesmith” completed and submitted in Our first classes there written by Dr. David Darom, order to list your knife for sale. are scheduled to begin in published in 2009. He won Once approved, the information September. I would like to a number of awards for his and a picture of the knife will be encourage anyone interested knives and taught in seminars posted on the site. An example in learning the craft of throughout the country. of the site can be viewed under Bladesmithing to keep an eye Gallery/Collector’s Corner.” on our website for class dates. No Services were The ABS, as an scheduled at press time.

SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 5 THE MORAN SCHOOL GOES TO COLLEGE BY B. R. Hughes Photos by Cara Knight

he William F. Moran as the “Birthplace of the Bowie School of Bladesmithing Knife, Arkansas Heritage Site”, Topened its doors on May the Bowie knife as “the official 1, 1988, in Washington, Arkansas, knife of the State of Arkansas”, to thus becoming the world’s first ”preserve bladesmithing history”, educational institution of its kind in that “Arkansas James the world! The American Bladesmith Black crafted an original Bowie Society, The Pioneer Washington knife in Washington, Hempstead Restoration Foundation, and County, Arkansas, in 1831”; and Texarkana College joined hands “because of the Bowie knife’s to make this possible, and over national reputation, Washington, the years thousands of students Arkansas, later became the location from all over the Earth came to the of the world’s first recognized Moran School to study the art of the school of bladesmithing” and forged blade. Later, the Foundation to designate the University of transferred its assets to the State Arkansas Community College at of Arkansas. This included the Dr. Jason Smith Hope-Texarkana to “develop and buildings in which bladesmithing is Texarkana College President operate a school of bladesmithing” taught. in Washington “to promote and Washington is located about eight miles north of protect the art of bladesmithing and the Bowie knife”. Hope, Arkansas, the birthplace of President Bill Clinton. According to a news report on Facebook from TXK Most of the students stayed at one of several motels in Today, dated June 11, the new school in Washington will be named in honor of James Black. Forge Area So, it was, that after 30-plus years of a most successful operation, the ABS and Texarkana College appeared to be at the end of their bladesmithing partnership. If you believe that, you haven’t met Dr. Jason Smith, who took office as the President of Texarkana College January 1, 2019. Dr. Smith was very proud of the William F. Moran School of Bladesmithing, and he took immediate action to extend the partnership of the ABS and TC. Among other things, he talked to

Handles & Hope, and ate lunch at the tavern, a rustic diner near the Guards Area school with waitresses clad in colonial style clothing. On, March 13, 2019, Arkansas State Senate Bill 557 was filed and, after readings and revisions, was signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson on April 10, 2019 as Act 818, which served to alert Texarkana College that its lease with the State of Arkansas would not be renewed when it expired on July 1, 2019. This Act, among other items, designates Washington, Arkansas,

6 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. Harvey Dean, then ABS President, and explained that he wanted to move the Moran School to a large, modern building on the Texarkana College campus, where it would enjoy such things as modern utilities, including first rate lighting, more spacious classrooms and shops, paved parking lots, 24-hour security, nearby health facilities, a convenient Student Center, a host of motels and restaurants less than a mile away, and a very bright future. The ABS Board voted 12-0 to accept President Smith’s invitation, and by the middle of May all of the

Another View - Forge Area Statue in Texarkana, Texas equipment in the old building in Washington had been transferred to the TC campus! Classes will resume in and Texas. Founded in 1927, TC is a fully accredited September. Community College and has also been a leader in Texarkana College is located on the Texas side of vocational-technical education over the past half a city that straddles the state line separating Arkansas century. An appropriate twist to the move is that the New Moran School is now located in W. F. Moran School of Bladesmithing Bowie County, Texas, named for James Bowie, himself! Viewing the move very objectively, it might appear that the State of Arkansas has done the ABS a favor, in a manner of speaking, in evicting TC from Washington! The Society has a host of pleasant memories associated with over three decades in the old town, but time marches on, and the future of the William F. Moran School of Bladesmithing has never loomed so bright! Thank you, President Smith! SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 7 ABS AT THE BLADE SHOW AND CUTLERY FAIR Staff Report

A small portion of the crowd in the Cobb Galleria hallway waiting to enter the Blade Show on its opening day. Photo by Jenny Crowell ince 1992, the ABS has met in Atlanta, GA ABS courses; applicants for the MS rating may, if they in conjunction with “Blade” Magazine’s so choose, submit two folding knives among the five SKnife Show and Cutlery Fair. The Society’s required for review; and the ABS Forum is being edited activities kicked off this year on the evening of June 6, to make it more appealing to viewers. with the Board of Director’s meeting. The show opened at mid-day on June 7, and that Prior to the beginning of the actual meeting, Dr. evening, the annual Awards Program was held, with the Chris Thomason, the President of the University of new ABS President, Steve Dunn, presiding. Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana, The first presentations were two Don Hastings and Dr. Jason Smith, President of Texarkana College Awards, the highest honor the ABS may confer. Voting presented overviews of their bladesmithing programs ended in a tie, and Secretary B. R. Hughes, one of the to the Board. Society’s founders, conferred plaques to Vice-President The official meeting was called to order at 7:35 Kevin Cashen for his work on the ABS Forum, and p.m. Among items of interest to the membership to Mastersmith Mike Williams for his leadership as would be the following: Kilroy’s Workshop, a Colorado Director of the Piney Woods Hammer-Ins and for his corporation, and Rochester Arc & Flame Center, a New work during the moving of the W. F. Moran School to York Corporation, were each approved to teach four Texarkana College. 8 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. Treasurer Bill Wiggins gave Distinguished Service Awards to Karl Andersen for his efforts in behalf of the ABS Forum, J. R. Cook for his contributions as an instructor, to Deborah Dean for her work in support of outgoing President Harvey Dunn, and to Carolyn Hughes for her work as editor of the “ABS Journal”. Williams, head judge of the JS judging panel, presented the Joe Keeslar Award to Australian Jackson Rumble, for having made the best knife by an applicant for the Journeyman Smith rating. Director Mark Zalesky, who is also the editor- publisher of “KNIFE” and a member of the Antique Bowie Society, presented Antique Bowie awards to MS The Master Smith Judging Panel congratulates Zack Jonas on Tommy Gann and JS Mace Vitale for having made the passing the master smith review on Friday morning. Shown th are from left: Doug Noren, Zack Jonas, Greg Neely, and James best knives in the style of the 19 century. Rodebaughback, Back row:, Kevin Cashen, Jimmy Crowell, and J. Director Robert Wilson, who is also the President of W. Randall. the Moran Foundation, awarded the W. F. Moran plaque B. R. Hughes Photo to JS Butch Sheely for having made the best knife “in Cashen presented the W. W. Scagel Award for the Moran mode”. outstanding performance in the field of bladesmithing The Silver Slipper award, given “for untiring education to JS Don McIntosh, Coordinator of efforts to support the ABS in its efforts to preserve Bladesmithing for Texarkana College, for his outstanding the forged blade”, was given by Mrs. Dean, the most efforts during the transition of the Moran School. recent recipient of this honor, to Cindy Sheely, who has

2019 Journeyman Smiths SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 9 epitomized the above description of the award for many years, far beyond the hours spent as her duties as the Executive Secretary of the Society. President Dunn and Head Judge Williams presented JS certificates to Mitch Cargile, Charles Carpenter, John Cenato, Justin Chenault, Michael Clark, Jr., Rudy Dean, Francesco Muci, Steve Myers, Matt Roberts, Jackson Rumble, J. J. Simon, Stuart Smith, Kelly Vermeer-vella, Stephen Williamson, and Jason Weightman.

.B.R. Hughes presents Hastings Awards to Kevin Cashen, above, and Mike Williams, below, for their continuous support and efforts on behalf of the ABS.

Don McIntosh, Coordinator of Bladesmithing for Texarkana College, receives the Scagel Award from Kevin Cashen for his work with the PIney Woods Hammer-In and during the school’s move to the Texarkana campus. Photos by Carolyn Hughes Next, President Dunn and Greg Neely, head judge of the MS panel, presented an MS certificate to Zack Jonas, the only applicant to pass the MS review. Harvey Dean, Past President, gave Chairman’s Awards to James Crowell, Bill Ruple, and Alex Whetsell, for their efforts in behalf of the ABS. 10 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. Laurent; Best Bowie — Jerry Fisk; Best Collaboration — David Lisch and Andrew Meers; Best Damascus — Franco Custom Knives; Best Fighter — Brian Sellers; Best Fixed Blade — Harvey Dean; Best Handle Design — Ben Breda; Best Sword — Vince Evans; Best Utility Hunter — Ben Breda; and Best of the Rest — Ron Newton. Sunday afternoon the 2019 edition of the world’s largest knife extravaganza came to a close and by any standard you might care to use, it was a most successful experience for the American Bladesmith Society! The 2020 Blade Show and Cutlery Fair will be held June 5-7 in Atlanta. If you’ve never attended this cutlery exravaganza, you owe it to yourself to attend, as there will be approximately 1000 exihibitors on hand. It’s an experience you will never forget! PS: Make your hotel reservations early — very early!

Cindy Sheely was chosen as the 2019 recipient of the Margaret Moran Silver Slipper Award, which is given to an avid ABS supporter. Cindy’s efforts exceed the duties required of her as ABS Execcutive Secretary led to her being selected. B. R. Hughes Photo The final award of the evening was a plaque for exceptional service given by President Dunn to Past President Dean. Saturday at 10 A.M., Director Wilson ably conducted the annual ABS auction. Knives were donated by Mastersmiths John Horrigan, Franco de Souza, Daniel Warren and Joe Keeslar, and by Journeyman Smiths Russell Roosevelt and Chris Wu. Under auctioneer Wilson’s skillful guidance, the auction netted approximately $25,000 in behalf of the forged blade! Also on Saturday, “Blade Magazine” announced its Best of Show Awards. As has been the norm in Bill Wiggins, ABS Treasurer, presents a Distinguished Service recent years, ABS members dominated the list: Best plaque to Carolyn Hughes Editor of the American Bladesmith Journal of Show—Harvey Dean; Best Art Knife — Veronique Photo by Jenny Crowell SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 11 A 6X9 inch book with 220 pages in full color with colored photos An 8.5X11 inch book with 36 pages A 6X9 inch book with 178 pages of Batson Knives. in full color with colored photos. in full color with colored photos.

Reveals new facts about the Sandbar Cost: $18 Cost: $32 Fight and the original Bowie Knife Cost: $36 Send Payment to: Barbara Batson • 1316 McClung Ave • Huntsville, AL • 35801 PIEH TOOL COMPANY, INC. KNIFEMAKER • BLACKSMITH • METAL WORKER EQUIPMENT • TOOLS • SUPPLIES 661 E Howards Rd, Suite J Camp Verde, AZ 86322 928-554-0700 Tel 888-743-4833 Toll Free 928-554-0800 Fax Second Location 29834 N Cave Creek Rd, Suite 134 Cave Creek, AZ 85331 480-626-0924 www.piehtoolco.com

12 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 2019 BLADE AWARDS

BEST SWORD Vince Evans, JS

BEST FIGHTER Brian Sellers, JS

Photo by Whetstone Photography Photo by Chuck Ward SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 13 2019 BLADE AWARDS

BEST DAMASCUS Dionatam Franco, MS

BEST HANDLE AWARD Ben Breda, JS

14Photos by Chuck Ward SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 2019 BLADE AWARDS

BEST ART KNIFE Veronique Laurent, JS

BEST BOWIE Jerry Fisk, MS

SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. Photos by Chuck Ward15 2019 BLADE AWARDS

BEST COLLABORATION Dave Lisch, MS & Meers, MS

BEST OF THE REST Ron Newton MS

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Maker - Gustavo T Cecchini JANTZ Favored of award winning custom knifemaker Gustavo T. Cecchini. Hardened Guide Acknowledged worldwide in knife and art magazines for his innovative designs CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE and indispensable GTC Bearing System. Gustavo recognizes the superior JS305 Scribe With Adjustment $40.00 quality of Damasteel. Simply the best production steel on the planet. FG100 Hardened File Guide $50.00 Cubitron II Cubitron II is enhanced with a special grinding aid to increase preformance. MOSAIC PINS HANDMADE IN USA West System Adhesives Can be used wet or dry. G/Flex® CAT.# SIZE GRIT WT. PRICE Epoxy IO72036 2” x 72” 36 XY $15.95 IO72050 2” x 72” 50 XY $13.95 G5 Epoxy IO72080 2” x 72” 80 XY $13.95 1/8" x 12” 1/8" x 12” 3/16" x 12” 3/16" x 12” 3/16" x 12” IO72120 2” x 72” 120 XY $7.95 Black Eyed Suzy Morning Glory Doberman Morning Star Lucky Clover IO72180 2” x 72” 180 XY $12.95 #MP810 $14.95 #MP820 $18.95 #MP380 $22.95 #MP300 $22.95 #MP310 $22.95 WEST SYSTEM EPOXY is engineered for superior grip, toughness, and resilience. G-Flex cures 3-4 hours. G5 cures 3-5 mins. CAT.# DESCRIPTION PRICE WE6508 G-Flex Liquid 8oz $22.49 J-Flex Gold Belts 1/4" x 12” 1/4" x 12” 1/4" x 12” 1/4" x 12” 1/4" x 12” WE8654 G5 5 Minute Epoxy $21.48 Silver Star Lab Circle of Light Pandora’s Box Meteorite The gold standard for slack belt #MP485 $44.95 #MP480 $44.95 #MP405 $44.95 #MP400 $39.95 #MP440 $44.95 contouring and finishing. Aids in Jantz CA Glue cooling and resists loading. HANDLE MATERIALS SPACER/LINER CAT.# SIZE GRIT PRICE Plus Many More KS080 2” x 72” 80 $5.95 KS100 2” x 72” 120 $5.95 KS101 2” x 72” 180 $5.95 KS102 2” x 72” 220 $5.95 Jantz CA Glue is the purist grade KS103 2” x 72” 320 $5.95 G-10 cyanoacrylate available. KS104 2” x 72” 400 $5.95 CAT.# SIZE PRICE JE204 Clear Super Fast Thin $12.95 G10 Liners JE205 Clear Flexible Medium $12.95 C Tek JE216 Black Flexible Medium $11.95 1/32” x 5” x 10” G10 Spacer Material JE208 Brown Flexible Thin $11.95 Specify Color When Ordering $6.95 Each Color Premium Leather Trizact “GATOR”Belts Giraffe Bone Micarta Maintains uniformity while you refine grind lines, remove scale and finish. Contains a “grinding aid” which helps 100% natural vegetable tanned top keep the belts cool as you grind. grain cowhide. CAT.# SIZE GRIT WT. PRICE Desert Ironwood CAT.# DESCRIPTION SIZE PRICE IG045 2” x 72” 400 X $8.95 AG512 9-10 oz 12”x12” $24.95 IG065 2” x 72” 240 X $8.95 BEST OF THE REST Vulcanized Fiber Spacer AG524 9-10 oz 12”x24” $44.95 IG100 2” x 72” 180 X $8.95 Set of 9 - One of each color WV412 12 oz 12”x12” $29.95 IG160 2” x 72” 120 X $8.95 Ron Newton MS Kirinte #MI990 - $9.95 WV418 12 oz 12”x24” $49.95 IG300 2” x 72” 80 X $8.95

SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 17

FULL PAGE ADS.indd 24 7/14/17 5:46 PM Jackson Rumble is congratulated Mike Williams, head judge of the Journeyman panel, on receiving the Keeslar Award for having made the best knife of those submitted for the Journeyman stamp. Photo by B. R. Hughes

Deborah Dean receiving a Special Service Award from Bill Wiggins for her support of the organization.

Above: Steve Dunn, President, presents a Special Service plaque to Past President Harvey Dean for his outstanding service to the American Bladesmith Society.

Right: Bill Wiggins, Treasurer, is shown at the ABS auction held on Saturday morning as he holds the Master Smith knife donated by John Horrigan. Bill Wiggins showing Horrigan’s auction knife to the crowd. Photos by B.R. Hughes 18 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. Mark Zalesky presents the Antique Bowie Award for a Master Smith to Tommy Gann, below, and for a Journeyman Smith to Mace Vitale, on the right. The awards are given by the Antique Bowie Association each year at the Blade Show.

Butch Sheely receives the Moran Award from Robert Wilson Chairman’s Awards are given to individuals chosen by the ABS for the best knife in the Moran style. president who have worked diligently on behalf of the ABS. Jimmy Crowell was one of several honored by Harvey Dean. Photos by B.R. Hughes

SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 19 SPRING PINEY WOODS By B. R. Hughes Photos by Don McIntosh

A good group stayed through the two days of torrential rain and extreme cold weather to enjoy every moment of the last Piney Woods Hammer-In to be held in Washington, Arkansas. We’re keeping the memories intact, while looking forward to a brand new era of hammer-ins in a new facility on the Texarkana College Campus in Texarkana, Bowie County, Texas. he 2019 Spring Piney spite of some of the worst weather that the relentless rain was perhaps Woods Hammer-In was ever to pummel a hammer-in, and nature’s tears at the thought that this Theld April 13-14 at the W. the cold rain seldom let up during was the last of a classic series of F. Moran School of Bladesmithing the weekend. But the more than 60 seminars. But wipe those tears away! in Washington, Arkansas, the attendees stuck it out during such The Fall Piney Woods Hammer- last in a series of seminars that classes as Basic Forging, Damascus In will take place October 12-13, began in this historic old town Steel, Handle Making, ABS 2019 at the W. F. Moran School of back in 1984. For further details Judging Standards, , Bladesmithing at Texarkana College on this matter, please read “The Grinding and Polishing, and others. in Texarkana, Texas. Don’t miss it! Moran School Goes to College” on Saturday afternoon, a spirited pages eight and nine of this issue. Joe Richardson auction was held under the large Director Mike Williams and was the winner tent, and Joe Richardson won the of the custom his instructors, Mastersmiths J. R. raffle knife made by Cass Stanford. knife donated Cook, James Crowell, Ray Kirk, by bladesmith Lin Rhea, Brion Tomberlin, and JS As the hammer-in drew to a Cass Stanford. Don McIntosh did a terrific job in close Sunday, it seemed to some 20 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. Lin Rhea Instructors

Jim Crowell

Ray Kirk

Greg Neely

Jim Crowell & Jerry Fisk

SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 21 ELEVENTH NEW ENGLAND SYMPOSIUM By Nick Rossi Photos by Nick Rossi

Lin Rhea, with the help of Steve Tedeman, demonstrates making his bladesmith knife.

or our 11th year, we wanted to bring our and talked a little about some things he learned since Symposium back to basics. As we all know, the last Symposium. Then we all gorged ourselves on Fthe core fundamental skills of bladesmithing seafood at The Village Inn for a fun Instructor’s dinner. seem very simple and straightforward when you see an Saturday was our biggest single day in Symposium expert do it, but are in fact, very nuanced and subtle. history with over 100 registered attendees. Lin dazzled Two smiths that we feel exemplify a mastery of these us with his X-Rhea tenoned blacksmith knife, carefully fundamentals are Jim Crowell and Lin Rhea, who were explaining each step. At the same time in the classroom our headliners. Ben Breda did a super leatherworking demo. Jim We couldn’t do this without our tireless Registrar, Crowell, an absolute monster with both the hand Barbara Wechter, who is also a great smith and historian. and , compared forging a blade using She handled the registration, auction sales and ABS both methods. Emiliano Carrillo did a classroom talk merchandise. While she registered folks arriving, our about Oroshigane, a traditional Japanese steelmaking Master of Ceremonies (or mascot maybe?) Mace Vitale technique he has spent many hours studying. This kicked off our event with a classic Mace style fighter is done using pure iron and carburizing it in a very

22 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. specifically controlled charcoal fire making steel. It wasn’t enough for Emiliano to talk about it, he favored us with a fantastic demonstration where he turned iron into steel in a few hours right before our eyes. He made two sizable blooms and consolidated it using both a team of strikers and the power hammer. A lucky attendee was even able to purchase one of the blooms in the auction. Jim jumped right into a great grinding lesson while Lin fielded a great question and answer session addressing the audiences’ handles and guards issues. That brought us to our $5000 Super Battle, a 2 hour bladesmithing competition. This year the challenge was a 6-7” fighter, complete with a handle in 2 hours and ready to perform cutting tests. There was a panel of expert judges including Matthew Parkinson, newly minted Mastersmith Zack Jonas, former battle champ To kick off the 2019 symposium, Mace Vitale Jason Morrissey and Jim Crowell. The contestants demonstrated making a “Mace style” fighter included last year’s winner Emiliano Carrillo, Lin Rhea, Mace Vitale and Forged in Fire Champion Josh Weston.

Ben Breda has a full class attentively watching as he demonstrates leather working.

SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 23 It is so exciting for me to see this swell of interest. More importantly I am seeing knife enthusiasts seeking more than just what is on YouTube and on TV. The ABS and events like this push aside all the social media grandstanding, TV editing and posing to display honest craftsmanship by men and women who want you to be as excited and enthusiastic as they are.

ABS Master Smith, James Crowell, has no peers when it comes to grinding and polishing.

It was a raging battle, with Lin making a beautiful The lobster feast is always a very popular activitiy fighter with a forged double lug guard and a framed in New England. micarta handle; Mace, a nasty pointy and SCARY sharp Bowie; Josh, a curvy full tang piece and Emiliano with a tried and true . The judges used a points system to determine the winner based on fit and finish, ergonomics and style. The votes were tabulated, and Emiliano was determined the winner of the 5k and the title of Battle Russell Hawkins, Partner Champ for another year. Thanks to our sister company, June Hawkins, Partner Maine Oxy, for the generous donation of prize money. Sunday we started out to a packed house for Lin’s HAWKINS KNIFE low tech discussion, distilling all the terms MAKING SUPPLIES and processes and making it relatable to the average smith with limited tools, while Jim discussed his favorite tooling in the classroom. The day rounded out with a super fun knife show. I did a forged friction 110 Buckeye Rd. Fayetteville, GA 30214 Phone 770-964-1023 folder demonstration while Jim and Lin covered the www.hawkinsknifemakingsupplies.com very important ABS judging standards. I know there were several smiths in the audience who are planning on taking that leap to JS soon and this is the best opportunity to pump a Master for information on how to be successful.

24 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 25 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

26 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 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 HEAT TREATING...... $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 JERRY FISK BLADE FORGING...... $25.00 DAN PETERSEN KNIFE DESIGN CONCEPTS...... $25.00 DON FOGG DAMASCUS 3 SET...... $60.00 J.W. RANDALL 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

SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 27 Ad Index ABS DVDs...... 27 Knife Photography ABS Merchandise & Books...... 26 Hawkins Supplies...... 24 Justin King, Owner Jantz Supplies...... 17 Kirk, Ray...... 28 Knife Magazine...... 28 Pieh Tool Company...... 12 Riverside Machine, Uncle Al...... 26 Royer, Caleb...... 27 Sharp by Coop...... 28 Shelton Pacific Wood...... 19 Whetstone Photography...... 28 Raker Knives & Steel Ray Kirk ABS-MS

www.whetstonestudio.com [email protected]

www.rakerknives.com 918-207-8076 @whetstone studio [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]

28 SUMMER 2019/JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BLADESMITH SOCIETY, INC. 2019 BLADE ANTIQUE BOWIE/ COLLECTOR’S AWARD Mace Vitale, JS 2019 BLADE MORAN KNIFE AWARD Butch Sheely, JS