ABS Hammer-in Visalia CA

J

Jon Christensen

Joined
Jan 28, 2000
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Just got back a few days ago from the ABS hammer-in in Visalia. What a great time!!!
The list of demonstrators was
Jon Christensen (me)
Rick Dunkerly
Don Fogg
Mike Vagnino
Owen Wood
It was my first time at teaching and I think it went pretty well. I had a bit of a meltdown (literally) while demo'ing a powder billet but other than that it went smoothly.

I only got to see a little of the other demoonstrations but was very impressed with what I saw. A wealth of information was available.

The event was located in the welding shop of the College of the Sequoias and is a top notch facility. Just about any piece of equipment you would need was available.

Bill Stuart who is the welding instructor for the college was there to help out. What a great person, always willing to help when needed and he always had a smile on.

I would highly recommend anyone who could attend to be there next year.

Jon
 
I made it for one day (Saturday) as I ended up being in town unexpectedly for a funeral. I was really bummed that I couldn't attend the entire thing. Next year I will. It is a really great opportunity to learn a lot and get some one on one instruction from the best. Thanks.

-Mike
 
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I just made it back from sunny California also. I had a great time, learned a lot. from some very talented demonstrators.
Since flying out of Alaska has gotten very expensive, I wanted to really get my moneys worth from this trip..... So I forged my M.S. test blade before I came down... Don Fogg graciously administered the test.... And in front of every one attending and 6 master smith, my knife passed.
I'd like to thank Don Fogg, Rick Dunkerly, Jon Christenson, Mike Vagnino, Bob Kramer, and Henry Torres for signing my slip.
Now, to get started on my 5 for Atlanta......
I've got to agree with Jon, Bill Stuart was busy the whole weekend. constantly making sure every body was taken care of in his shop. I watched as he generously gave an attendee a TIG welding lesson.
This hammerin was great, there was only one demo going on at a time. They were all very informative and well done.
thanks to all of the demonstrators,
I look forward to next year.
 
David,
I can't believe I forgot to mention you doing your MS performance test.

David's blade performed exceptionally well. During the bend he had a cheater bar on it and used all his weight to get it to bend 90. It was a very impressive blade. Well done David!!!! :thumbup:

Jon
 
Jon Christensen said:
David,
David's blade performed exceptionally well. During the bend he had a cheater bar on it and used all his weight to get it to bend 90. It was a very impressive blade. Well done David!!!! :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great time. Had to miss it due to work... :mad:

David, do you have a pic of the blade you submitted for your test? Congratulations! :D

Eric
 
Eric,
I don't have a very good pic here. i'll shoot it for you tomorrow and post it
with the specs.

David
 
Eric, here is the blade used in the test...before I put a handle on it. with a test knife from the same billet of damascus, that I tested in my shop. And the knife as it is now.
The blade is 432 layer, 1080 and 15N20. !0 in. long, 2 in. wide. 15 in. overall length.
.266 at handle to .190 at the top of clip. Handle is oosic that I mortised, 1/4 in. copper pin. I know that most people want to make their blade thin to do the bend , but I wanted to test the blade at the dimensions that would normally be with a blade this size....
bent.JPG
[/IMG]
 
D.Mirabile said:
Eric, here is the blade used in the test...before I put a handle on it.
bent.JPG
[/IMG]
Click to expand...

Hello David,

Unfortunately no image shows up. I just see the image tags
.

Your description sounds great. If posting it here does not work, is there any way to send it to me via e-mail? I'm currently working on forging my first Damascus billet using 1080 and 15N20. Would love to see how your knife turned out. Thanks!

Eric
 
D.Mirabile said:
Eric, here is the blade used in the test...before I put a handle on it. with a test knife from the same billet of damascus, that I tested in my shop. And the knife as it is now.
The blade is 432 layer, 1080 and 15N20. !0 in. long, 2 in. wide. 15 in. overall length.
.266 at handle to .190 at the top of clip. Handle is oosic that I mortised, 1/4 in. copper pin. I know that most people want to make their blade thin to do the bend , but I wanted to test the blade at the dimensions that would normally be with a blade this size....
Click to expand...

Hello David,

I received the pictures you sent via e-mail and as discussed am posting here for others to see. Great job with your knife and congratulations again for passing the MS bend test! I really appreciate you sharing these pictures...

Eric
 

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Thanks David (& Eric),
Looks like oustanding performance on the test blade. Best of luck next year in Atlanta!

Take care, Craig
 
I wish I would have known about this. I live about 2 miles from Collage of the Sequoias. I would have loved to attend and watch. :(
 
Jon Christensen said:
Just got back a few days ago from the ABS hammer-in in Visalia. What a great time!!!

I would highly recommend anyone who could attend to be there next year.

Jon
Click to expand...

Hey Jon,

Is there a date already set for next year? Any more hammer-in's you know of in the Southern to Central California area over the next year? Thanks!

Eric
 
Eric,
Haven't heard of a date yet but it should be about the same time as this year. I believe this is the only ABS hammer-in in Calif.

Ray,
Bummer, you could have almost heard the hammer running from that distance.

Jon
 
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