2nd Big Sky Country Hammer In

joshsmith

joshsmith

Joined
Mar 31, 2005
Messages
646
This weekend I am hosting the 2nd Big Sky Country Hammer In. I would like those of you that may be close to Montana to think about attending. So far 54 people are signed up.

Tim Hancock and Tom Ferry are the two instructors this year. The event is held at my shop and is a great time.

I am lucky enough to be having Tim Hancock for the second year in a row and he is also committed for next year. Next year Larry Fuegen is also going to instruct. I have one more surprise instructor that has tentatively committed but isn't completely sure. Let's just say he's from Texas and makes a hell of a Bowie. Next years hammer in will be expanded to 3 days.

I would like to suggest that collectors seriously think about attending my hammer in. It is a great way to learn specifics about what to look for in a knife but more importantly get to know the makers better that you are collecting. This year there will be about 11 mastersmiths in attendance and many Journeyman. I would like to grow that number.

I would like this event to grow to include collectors more. I welcome you collectors and want you to have a part in an ABS hammer in. I will consider suggestions if you have them. I feel collectors and makers should be working close together to benefit the whole.

Please consider attending next year and I hope to see a few of you this weekend. For more information go to my website at www.joshsmithknives.com Thanks,

Josh
 
I won't be able to take it to this one, but I am going to plan on it for next year. Living in Edmonton, Alberta, the trip to Frenchtown isn't that bad a drive. It's one that can be made in just over half a day.
 
Not that it is that important, but the address that you have listed on your website for the hammer-in has Frenchtown spelled Frechtown.
 
Thanks Keith. I will get that changed.

I would love to have you make the drive down next year. The tentative dates are June 26-29th 2008. This is 4 weeks after the blade show.

It's a great time and quite informative.
 
The drive from Vermont is a little more than half a day but there's still a part of me that wants to hop in the car and go. This will no doubt be a great event for makers, hobbyists, and collectors alike. And with all those JS and MS makers in attendance, if you don't understand something a demonstrator explained, you can just ask the guy next to you!
 
I am looking forward to attending. It should prove to be fun and very informative. I hear the food is great too.

Input from collectors at a hammer-in would be a great help to us makers. One on One is the best way for us to guide our careers and make it more interesting for all.

Thanks so much Josh for hosting these ABS Hammer-ins. I can only imagine how much work it is. Its so cool to already be planning next year.
 
getting ready to take off this morning for my second trip to Josh's hammerin. i gotta tell you folks if you ever get the chance do it!!!!!!!!!!!! Josh and Jody's hospitality is unsurpassed. the food is amazeing and the demonstrations are a learning experience for everyone of every skill level the demonstrators last year where able to present to such a large group with varying levels of skill in a manner that everyone came out of there with something learned. maybe this year we will get Josh to clean his anvil off.
 
Thank you Josh and Jody for hosting this event again.

Last years Hammer-in was great. I think this year will be even better.

MS Tom Ferry told me he will be teaching some of his closely held and recently learned mosaic damascus techniques. Mitch Lum will be there photographing knives.

I talked to Nick Wheeler tonight and he will be riding with us.

Keith, go to the hammer-in. The drive through Alberta and Montana will be therapeutic. :thumbup: The beauty of the scenery at Josh's shop is incredible. Last year deer were walking in the field next to the shop during the demonstrations. The prime rib at the Saturday dinner was the best I've ever eaten.

Good people, knives, food and scenery. I can wait to leave!
 
AS predicted above I think this hammer in was a great success. I think that everyone who attended learned something even if it was only that they can't hit shit with a big buffalo gun at 300 yards.
 
Like Bill said it was a huge success and the information that was past on was priceless. Not haveing been makeing knives for very long these hammer ins provide information and tips to the makers that i don't believe is available anywhere else. Includeing the fact that i can't shoot.
 
I got there too late for all the shooting but besides that I enjoyed every minute. Tom Ferry has turned into a great instructor and showed some secrets of the trade that took him years to accomplish. I was on overload half the time but I think now I can take another step forward with my damascus.

Tim Hancock showed us tricks that will prove to make not only better handles and guards but will save time as well. He held nothing back.

Good company, scenery was spectacular and food was first class.

I hear that next year will be a 3 day event. Cant wait.
 
The hammer-in was a blast and I can't thank Josh and Jodi Smith enough for hosting it and having us all trample over their property for the week-end.

Attendance was very good, heck there were 10 Mastersmiths along with (I think) 6 Journeyman. I'm not sure of the total head-count, but there sure were a lot of my friends there and I'm damned glad that I got to see them!

Josh did an incredible job setting this hammer-in up. Tom and Tim both were broadcast over a very clear pa system which allowed everyone to hear the narrative going along with the motions. The Smith's residence is in a BEAUTIFUL area and Josh's very well equipped shop was ideal for the large, yet still intimate gathering. The mornings greeted us with fresh coffee, all sorts of muffins, doughnuts, and sweet-rolls. Later on we had a catered lunch, and a wonderful prime rib dinner at the local club.

Neither Hancock nor Ferry held back. The information was very clearly delivered in a format that most everyone could easily follow along. Information that has taken both men YEARS of trial, error, blood, sweat, and tears to gain.

I'm glad to call both of these men friends and VERY much enjoyed their demos.

I cannot recommend enough, that you get out your planner and schedule yourself to be there next year!!!

Three of the biggest names in the ABS are slated to teach next year.... Hancock, Fuegen, and Dean.

Yea, you read that right.

So do yourself a favor, and get a truly insightful look into what goes into making the knives that you love and cherrish so much. COLLECTORS, this will help you both understand and appreciate what you've already got, and help better educate you as to what you look for in future purchases.

I'm exhausted.... The Bybee family graciously toted me along, fed me, provided a place to stay, AND put up with my rambling all week-end... add in about 11 or 12 hours of travel each way (starting on Friday at 8 pm and ending Monday at 2 am) and whewe. HOLY CRAP! That 5 am alarm for work came around way too quick this morning but.... what an awesome week-end.

I hope to see you all there next year!!! :cool: :thumbup:

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this such a wonderful gathering!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have been to many shows, but never a hammer-in.
Continue to hear great things about them.
Will try to make one in the near future.
 
All I can say is THANK YOU! You are all too kind. The real work was put in by the attendees who made efforts like Nick did to get here. Driving all night to get here meant a lot Nick. And to the Bybees thank you so much for setting up. Having such professional suppliers here with such great material really validates this hammer in. As we all know you are too generous. Nick and the Bybees were just a few of the handful that made huge efforts to get here and pitch in without hesitation.

In fact we had one attendee donate cash at the end of the hammer in to help us cover costs. His generosity is an example of the members we have in the ABS.

Thank you to Eric Fritz and others for bringing the toys. I welded up a target to shoot at and all Shane Taylor and Eric could talk about was how they were going to take it down in less than four shots. I'm proud to say my target is still standing proud!!! I just wish the handles I weld on my billets had the same resiliency.

These makers are right. Tom and Tim exceeded any expectations. They divulged information that took them years of work to learn. Any paycheck I could give them would not do this justice.

To the Makers and Collectors alike I am proud to have you at my shop. I have dreamed for years of hosting this kind of event at my shop. While working for so long in a 10x14 shed it seemed miles away but it's now a reality and I can't thank you enough for supporting this event.

It looked like a mini KOA camp ground around here with campers and tents which added to the intimate feel. It was neat walking out in the morning to start coffee and seeing my friend campers behind the shop and tents under my trees.

I would like to thank Jan DuBois for her efforts and patience. Having Mitch Lum here was wonderful as well. Making efforts like he did to support the hammer in will only help it flourish.

Next year only need to be described as TIM HANCOCK, LARRY FUEGEN, and HARVEY DEAN. June 27, 28, 29. Next year I would like makers and collectors alike to follow James Rodebaughs lead and bring a collector or someone not yet involved in the knife world. Lets work to bring more people in.

In addition I talked to Rick Dunkerley tonight and asked if he would do a special one hour class on liner lock folders next year at the request of some of this years attendees. He has agreed to do this. Each year I will be asking the attendees what they want to see the following year.

Lastly I would like to thank my wife Jodi for the support she provides me to do this. Not only does she allow it to happen but she encourages it and truly enjoys everyone. But then again how can you not enjoy the knife community.

Thank you.
 
Wow, Tim Hancock, Larry Fuegen and Harvey Dean. :eek: What an impressive lineup. This could well become one of the must attend events.
 
The 300 yard shooting was great. I managed to hit the damn thing Josh put together, but shooting the big gun is not easy.
No anvil blowing, though...maybe next year.

It was an amazing show of skill and passing of knowledge. What has been said is right, they didn't hold much back.
Tim Hancock is a God. When he had some trouble speaking, I wanted to say "forget about apologizing, Tim, we are just in awe of having you here."

Tim's demo of his damascus secrets was impressive to say the least. He just let it flow and showed what years of experience have taught him.

Mostly, we saw the levels to which we can aspire.
 
Josh, nice place you have there. How come you're hiding in behind all the others in the photo of the mastersmiths?
 
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