Another new symposium/show...

STeven,

In September, 2002 the ABS had it's first Northeast Hammer-in near Albany, NY. That was really in Ashokan territory.

The next 3 Northeast Hammer-ins were held in Frederick, MD and were really Bill Moran Hammer-ins. They were great events but not exactly in the Northeast since I think that they were South of the Mason-Dixon line.

I believe that they had an ABS event in Vermont a year or two ago.

I am sure that you know that Don Fogg started teaching at the New England School of Metalwork in Auburn, Maine. This is the reason that the ABS picked this location for the July Hammer-in.

There are not many knife events in New England, the Ashokan Conference is held in upstate New York, not New England. It is and has been a great event. I am sure that the ABS hammer-in in Maine will also be a great event.

I am looking forward to attending it and hope that it becomes an annual event.

Jim Treacy
 
Last edited:
Kohai999 said:
Fancy a passionate knife collector as obsessive?:eek:

Whoooda thunk it?:confused:

Tell me about your Subaru, Jim!:D



Didn't know about this one...thanks for correcting me.

As far as it being NBD, perhaps there are some events you have coming up that you want to share photographic duties with other lensmen...because it isn't competition...it is opportunity, right?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...
Points taken. Understood. ;) :thumbup:

Coop
 
IMHO, education provided by talented and knowledgeable makers is a great thing, regardless of the banner flown overhead.
 
Kevin Jones said:
IMHO, education provided by talented and knowledgeable makers is a great thing, regardless of the banner flown overhead.
Click to expand...

The majority of your education comes from the minds and hands of ABS folks.

There is no problem there, it is a solid foundation.....that said, there are lots of others out there with as much, if not more to teach.

What the Ashokan conference lacks, due to being a "loose" group at best, is a cohesive marketing/sales philosophy and follow through....the ABS does a much better job at that.

That simply means that Ashokan is vulnerable to competition....which is not a good thing if you are on the Ashokan side, but is a GREAT thing if you are on the ABS side.

I'll leave this alone moving forward....if Don Fogg is the force responsible for this, I'll speak with him about his motives directly at Josh's show.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
STeven,

I don't think that this is an ABS vs NE Bladesmith Guild issue. I'm sure that there are differences between the two groups, but I believe that a majority of the NE Bladesmith Guild members are also ABS members.

The ABS started in 1976 and the NE Bladesmith Guild around 1981. Both organizations are about teaching bladesmithing.

It is 344 miles between Auburn, ME where the ABS Hammer-in is to be held and Ashokan, NY where the NE Bladesmith's Guild hold their conference.

I think that we need more knife events in New England and that the ABS recognized that fact. I think that they contacted Don Fogg because he is a great Mastersmith and is teaching at a facility that has everything necessary for a good hammer-in.

In my opinion the two events compliment each other.

Jim Treacy
 
more small events like this scattered throughout the country are beneficial to those of us who due to scheduling reasons don't have the time to travel to a distant show.

even if this event was started to compete with ashokan (for which there has been no evidence presented to support that assumption), what is wrong with competition or more choices?
 
Steve,

I don't want to rain on your passion here either, but the ABS hammerin in Auburn, Maine and Ashokan are compatible. As an original founder of the New England Bladesmith Guild and the first several Ashokan hammerins, it was not set up as an anti ABS hammerin, Bill Moran came to the first two or three. It was the first bladesmith's hammerin held in this country and for many years the only one.

There have been politics over the years, but the ABS hammerin in Auburn is to introduce folks to the New England School of Metalworking, provide a regional site for the ABS to offer its programs, and create a gathering point for the bladesmiths in the area. I will confess to self interest here because it is in my home town, but I think it is a great location and will serve Northern New England smith's.

I demonstrated at the last two Ashokan conferences and would encourage anyone who is interested in knives to seek it out. It is unique, in depth and well attended. Tim Zowada, Kevin Cashen and Dan Maragni have organized it over the years and done a wonderful job.

Anyway, just wanted to add my two cents.

Don Fogg
 
DFogg said:
Steve,

I don't want to rain on your passion here either, but the ABS hammerin in Auburn, Maine and Ashokan are compatible. As an original founder of the New England Bladesmith Guild and the first several Ashokan hammerins, it was not set up as an anti ABS hammerin, Bill Moran came to the first two or three. It was the first bladesmith's hammerin held in this country and for many years the only one.

There have been politics over the years, but the ABS hammerin in Auburn is to introduce folks to the New England School of Metalworking, provide a regional site for the ABS to offer its programs, and create a gathering point for the bladesmiths in the area. I will confess to self interest here because it is in my home town, but I think it is a great location and will serve Northern New England smith's.

I demonstrated at the last two Ashokan conferences and would encourage anyone who is interested in knives to seek it out. It is unique, in depth and well attended.

Don Fogg
Click to expand...

Don,

Thanks for responding. FWIW, did try to call you last night before posting this, but you go to bed very early.:)

I assure you, didn't invent the "anti ABS" scree, it has been shared with me by a number of your peers within the NEBG.

Not trying to take any money out of your pocket, Don...if you are doing this for good reasons, wish you the best....you know that I am fiercely loyal to people and ideas...and this looked pretty bad to me on the surface.

See you in a few weeks.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
DFogg said:
Steve,

I don't want to rain on your passion here either, but the ABS hammerin in Auburn, Maine and Ashokan are compatible. As an original founder of the New England Bladesmith Guild and the first several Ashokan hammerins, it was not set up as an anti ABS hammerin, Bill Moran came to the first two or three. It was the first bladesmith's hammerin held in this country and for many years the only one.

There have been politics over the years, but the ABS hammerin in Auburn is to introduce folks to the New England School of Metalworking, provide a regional site for the ABS to offer its programs, and create a gathering point for the bladesmiths in the area. I will confess to self interest here because it is in my home town, but I think it is a great location and will serve Northern New England smith's.

I demonstrated at the last two Ashokan conferences and would encourage anyone who is interested in knives to seek it out. It is unique, in depth and well attended. Tim Zowada, Kevin Cashen and Dan Maragni have organized it over the years and done a wonderful job.

Anyway, just wanted to add my two cents.

Don Fogg
Click to expand...

First post since 2006!:eek:
I wish you'd hang out here more often. A guy like you, Mr. Fogg, would add A LOT to this forum. And, this is a pretty cool forum, after all- not a lot of partying, but we have a good time.

Sorry for the tangent, folks. Just had to say that:)
 
Lorien said:
First post since 2006!:eek:
I wish you'd hang out here more often. A guy like you, Mr. Fogg, would add A LOT to this forum. And, this is a pretty cool forum, after all- not a lot of partying, but we have a good time.

Sorry for the tangent, folks. Just had to say that:)
Click to expand...

Don's a busy guy, Lorien....and he has his own forum to take care of.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
yeah, I know, Steven. I love that forum, too, and visit from time to time. But one can always hope!

Maybe one day he'll create another Don Fogg, which may allow more people access to his tutelage and creativity. But that could also create conflict with the original Don Fogg and his supporters, causing bitter rivalry and competition between the two Foggs and their prospective followers, causing some to lose sight of the benefits of having both:).
 
Last edited:
Lorien said:
..... But that could also create conflict with the original Don Fogg and his supporters, causing bitter rivalry and competition between the two Foggs and their prospective followers, causing some to lose sight of the benefits of having both:).
Click to expand...

Maybe someday I won't have you on ignore...not likely though!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Bladeandbarrel said:
Lighten up, Francis.
Click to expand...

Anthony, I can remember when you were a productive and appreciated part of this forum community. Now you just drop by from time to time with an arrogant and/or smart aleck post or to belittle something or someone.

What a shame.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Anthony, I can remember when you were a productive and appreciated part of this forum community. Now you just drop by from time to time with an arrogant and/or smart aleck post or to belittle something or someone.

What a shame.
Click to expand...

Kevin,

I have been waiting for a long time to say this.

You are now officially on ignore. Please do the same for me.

Also, people reading this forum need to understand that post count has no bearing on whether or not someone is a an "expert". In most cases all it means is they love to see their name in lights.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top